Taxi drivers seek fare changes

12:15pm Thursday 17th July 2008

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TAXI drivers across west Wiltshire are hoping for an increase in the price of fares for journeys not booked in advance.

The price of Hackney Carriage journeys is set by West Wiltshire District Council, which has the power to set fares for all taxis in the area.

The council does not control journeys booked in advance as customers can negotiate a fee beforehand with the taxi company.

The increased price of fuel and the general rise in inflation has sparked the request from drivers, which has gone before the council's licensing committee.

Taxi companies put three potential tariff changes forward, with two options initially approved.

Increasing the cost per mile from £1.55 to £2 and lowering the starting price by 10p was one suggestion.

A second option is to lower the meter yardage, the distance travelled before the meter increases. A smaller increase in travelling costs, to £1.65 per mile, would balance out the change.

Although these changes have the backing of the taxi companies, no final decision can be made until the public have been informed of any potential changes.

Members of the public have until August 8 to express any objections to the proposed scheme, which will then be considered by the licensing committee before any changes to prices are made.

Cllr Brian Mudge, chairman of the licensing sub committee, said he doubted the changes would be met with much resistance.

"It's a realistic increase. We don't think there will be any objections," he said.