April 18, 2008
Resort taxi fares are set for rise
Rising fuel prices are being blamed for the increase.
It means the cost of a daytime journey of five miles will go up by 60p from £9.80 to £10.40, while travelling five miles by cab after 11pm will cost £13.20 instead of £11.80, an increase of £1.40.
If the cost of diesel continues to rise, drivers will be able to charge an additional 20p at the end of each journey. The fuel surcharge, believed to be the first one since 1972, will only come into effect if diesel reaches 147.5 pence per litre. It currently stands at around 115.5p per litre.
Members of Blackpool's public protection sub-committee said they were concerned at the effect an increase in fares could have on the public but accepted drivers were struggling to make a living.
Coun Roy Haskett said: "Nobody wants you to work at a loss, and you have to return some kind of profit to make it worthwhile.
The committee was told drivers were facing rising costs including fuel, insurance and parts.
There has also been a 25 per cent rise in charges to use the taxi rank at Blackpool North station.
David Palmer, joint secretary of the Blackpool Licensed Taxi Owners Association (BLOTA), which made the application, told the meeting: "When we go out to work on a Monday, there is no-one saying you have a wage. You have to go out and earn it and you have to give us the facility to do that."
The committee unanimously agreed to the rise.
BLOTA joint secretary Bill Lewtas was relieved.
He said: "We're just treading water. We don't want to charge too much because it will kill our trade but this is a compromise."
The increase is expected to come into effect in about a month's time.
Filed under Mini Cab News by admin
Leave a Comment