Taxi fares and charges may increase in West Suffolk
West Suffolk Council hasn’t put up its taxi fees and charges since 2015
Fees paid by taxi drivers in West Suffolk may go up for the first time in seven years next April, with the local council saying it has to pay for more safety checks and admin.
West Suffolk Council hasn't increased its fee for drivers since 2015-16, but now says there has been a 'significant increase' in the costs associated with licencing taxis.
Part of that is down to new government guidance; including more checks by HMRC and the Department for Transport.
The checks are meant to protect the trade from unscrupulous drivers.
The annual cost of a licence for a Hackney carriage will go up to ÂŁ209 from ÂŁ163, while a private hire vehicle licence will go up from ÂŁ154 to ÂŁ188 a year.
Yearly operators fees will go up to ÂŁ134 for ÂŁ100. A full list of the proposed charges can be found here.
West Suffolk Council says it will consult with local drivers about the change, with a final decision to be made later this year.
Councillor Andy Drummond said: “Passenger safety must continue to be our priority.”
“Much of the national guidance and the increases in checks that we must complete, are all designed first and foremost to protect passenger safety and public confidence in the taxi trade."
“But these checks, and the extra work come with a cost. While my intention is to increase these fees and charges, the council will not be generating any additional income from these –we are not allowed to."
"Instead, we will aim to deliver a cost neutral service and if there is any surplus over a three-year period, it will be used to directly support the trade."
“At the same time, we recognise that members of the trade have asked us to review passenger fares, which last went up in 2019 and we have confirmed that our licensing committee will look at this in July."