Council explores increasing black cab fares

Shropshire Council licensing manager Mandy Beever called the fare rise "fair and reasonable"

Black cab charges in Shropshire could rise from September in response to requests from drivers struggling with the cost of living.

Shropshire Council's licensing committee has approved a formal consultation on a rise in the maximum rates drivers of hackney carriages are allowed to charge.

The proposals would see fares during normal daytime hours rise from £1.80 per mile to £2.

Nighttime rates could also rise from £2.80 to £3 per mile and holiday rates could increase from £3.30 to £3.50 per mile.

The maximum charges last increased in the county in October 2022.

Council licensing manager Mandy Beever told the authority’s licensing committee that she believed the fee rise was "fair and reasonable when balanced with the rise in fuel prices and the cost of living".

She added: "Consideration has been made for the impact any increase in hackney carriage fares may have on the travelling public for the same reasons it has on the hackney carriage proprietors themselves."

Subject to the consultation, the new fees will come into force on 4 September.

If objections are received during the consultation period, the move will be delayed until the committee has considered the objections at its October meeting.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.

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