A public consultation is to be held over plans to increase maximum taxi fares after the move was backed by councillors.
North Yorkshire Council’s executive approved the 5% rise after hearing about the impact on drivers from steep rises in fuel prices due to the war in Iran.
According to the latest figures, unleaded has risen from 131.7p a litre to 156.8p while diesel has from from 141.4p a litre to 188.1p since the conflict started on 28 February.
Lisa Ridsdale, general manager for taxi firm Take Me, told the meeting: “Taxi fares need to rise in North Yorkshire. Not to overcharge passengers, but to protect the future of a vital public service.”
She said taxi fuel costs were now at between £4,000 and £7,500 a year, while insurance was £1,500 to £4,000, “depending on the driver.”
“With maintenance, servicing and licensing, some drivers are facing over £10,000 just to be able to work. In many cases this is no longer sustainable,” she said.
Conservative councillor Simon Myers said: “The council was aware of the situation in Iran, its impact on fuel prices, and the impact that has on the taxi trade. It has a substantial impact on the council as well.”
However, he added: “Although it may seem very frustrating to us and to the taxi trade, we cannot just unilaterally alter the maximum fares. The matter has to go out to consultation.”
Michael Berry is a private hire driver based in Tadcaster [BBC/RICHARD EDWARDS]
Under the proposals, rates between 07:00 and 22:00 would rise from £2.22 to £2.33 per mile, while the hourly waiting time would increase from £20.23 to £21.24.
Night-time fares, which apply between 22:00 and 07:00 and on public holidays, would increase from £3.15 to £3.31 per mile, with waiting time rising from £28.90 to £30.35 per hour.
A council report said the consultation would see a public notice placed in a local newspaper and all taxi drivers and operators emailed for their views.
“Should there be no responses, the proposed revised fares would take effect with no further action required,” the report said.
The revised costs would only apply to hackney carriage vehicles rather than private hire vehicles.
Michael Berry, a private hire driver based in Tadcaster, said he could understand why taxi firms had asked for the rise.
“What’s going on in Iran isn’t just affecting taxi firms, it’s everywhere,” he said.
“We’ve just put a small raise on the rates, the first for a long time, and not one that’s going to impact a great deal on things.
“There is wear-and-tear to pay for, and with fuel costs going up that is another massive monthly bill, so it has to be shifted on somewhere.”
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