Taxi fares to rise and could go up again

Taxi drivers in Dorset could see the maximum tariffs they can charge customers going up again later in the year – if fuel costs continue to soar.

Dorset Council’s licensing committee has promised to monitor the cost of fuel and again review the maximum fees hackney carriage drivers can charge should fuel prices continue to rocket.

“I would hate to see the drivers disadvantaged by rising fuel costs…we can’t afford to have them sitting at home because they can’t afford to fill up,” said Sturminster Newton councillor Carole Jones at Friday’s meeting which agreed new maximum charges for the year ahead.

There had been concerns from some drivers that they could be forced out of business because of rising costs, reducing their income.

But reducing the fares seems unlikely. Cllr Les Fry asked if the fares would also be reviewed, downward, if fuel prices dropped dramatically later in the year.

“Only if the drivers make the request,” he was told by licensing manager Aileen Powell, who delivered the comment with a wry smile.

Separate price plan for Weymouth & Portland

Customers throughout the Dorset Council area, apart from Weymouth and Portland, which has a separate fare structure, could now find themselves facing the higher night rate at 10pm, rather than 11pm as it has been.

Dorchester Cllr Les Fry asked for the earlier time, allowing drivers who choose to change their meters at 10pm, rather than 11pm. He also moved that the “soiling charge” be increased to a maximum of £100 and proposed that a small charge of 30p per extra person can be added to the initial cost of a hackney carriage ride – if drivers choose to collect it.

The new tariffs will only apply to hackney carriage drivers with private hire operators continuing to operate by negotiation with their customers.

Charminster councillor David Taylor backed the changes but said he worried that the increasing costs of hackney fares might tempt some to risk driving rather than pay for a ride home from a night out.

New tariffs

The new proposed maximum fare rates for weekdays, 7am to 10pm, in most of Dorset will see an initial charge of £3 and then £4.40 for the first mile and £2.80 for each subsequent mile. For 10pm to 7am these will be £4.50, £6.60, and £4.20 with even higher rates on bank holidays over the Christmas period.

For Weymouth and Portland the proposed rates are (7am to 11pm) £2.70 initial charge, £5.30 for the first mile and £2 for each subsequent mile and for 11pm to 7am £3.10, £5.90 and £2.40.

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