The brakes have been put on a controversial increase in taxi fees on the Isle of Wight, after objections.
The decision will now be made by leading cabinet members later this year, which means prices will not go up at the start of May.
Most charges have not risen since 2014 and the planned rise was described as ‘significant’.
In March, the Isle of Wight Council’s licensing committee voted overwhelmingly in favour of the price hike, which would see a £1.10 increase on a 2-mile journey, charged on the lowest tariff.
The Island’s taxi trade has been supportive of the increase, due to rising running costs. However, concerns had been raised by council officers that passengers may not support the move. Committee member Councillor Gary Peace told the March meeting the charges were ‘already ridiculously high’.
A public consultation closed at the end of March and without ‘valid objections’, the increase would have taken effect from 1st May.
Now, the council’s cabinet members will meet on 12th May, to decide whether the increase in fees will go ahead for hackney carriages.
More information about the consultation responses will be published in cabinet papers ahead of the meeting, on 4th May.
The Isle of Wight Council did not wish to comment at this time.
What are the changes?
- The initial ‘flag drop’, or hire fee also covering the first half a mile of the journey, increases by 50p
- Each quarter mile, after the flag drop, increases between 10p and 50p depending on the tariff
- The taxi waiting time during a trip increases between 20p and 70p a minute depending on the tariff
- Sundays would be charged at the same rate as bank and public holidays becoming more expensive, moving into tariff two
- The cost for transporting animals doubles from 50p to £1 per animal
- ‘Soiling charge’ increases to £100, from £70
- Tariff hours – travel will cost more from 20:00 through to 06:00 when the higher tariff used to start at 22:00
The fares set are the maximum amount drivers can charge, so some companies could charge less.
So Taxi driver’s who are paying more for fuel , cannot charge more because the council say so !!!!!
Councillor Gary peace says they are already ridiculously high !!!!!
Well we the cash cow’s say our council tax is ridiculously high but council cabinet members didn’t veto that rise did they ?????
If you choose to use a taxi you know the cost ….
But bung up the council tax and we have to accept it and all the cuts to boot !!!!!!!
Maybe we could cut down how many licences are sold.
Then their would be more work for each person and not just an oversubscribed amount of drivers trying to make the same living.
Just a thought.
I am afraid we are reaching a point where the average person quite simply can’t afford to pay higher prices. All businesses are expected to face higher running costs and will pass these costs onto customers.
There will be a point in the not to distant future when companies will fold as people will not be able to pay.
This will apply to ALL organisations and that includes shops, factories, councils, and oil and gas producers, People can’t continue paying when they do not have the money.
So £42 waiting time per hour while an older person sees GP or shopping,sure we would all like that, ridiculously -yes. If fares go up more will use bus,Berly or Uber will take over etc , so will mean not enough work to go round so less income for driver and company. No work won’t reduce insurance,tax, license cost of vehicle etc which you pay if you have one job or twenty- fuel is least to worry as only costs if you doing a job.
Taxi fares are too high as it is.. One mile costing at present about £5.00 ..( one passenger ) Many places on mainland One Mile cost is about £2.00 so why so expensive on this Island..
Captive audience, mere monopoly, its a scandal. Totally agree with you
On the times I’ve had to use one to get home ftom ryde fast cat to binstead it was cheaper than the bus
Cowes to Newport by taxi is 30 quid, bus is £3.75…… I know the climate is different over there but really!!
Bus company’s are subsidised, taxis are not.
During the long winter there’s not much work about for taxis, but the cost keep rising for the taxi traid..