Councillors park decision on taxi fare rises

A Fenland council member had raised concern about plans to increase the amount cabbies can charge

Plans to increase fares taxi drivers can charge have been put on hold by councillors.

Fenland District Council, which is based in March, Cambridgeshire, has deferred a decision so further talks with taxi drivers can take place.

Senior councillors had been asked to approve a series of new tariffs agreed by members of a licensing committee in July.

A councillor who is a taxi driver – and several members of the public – had raised concerns.

Members of the council’s cabinet discussed the issue at a meeting on Monday.

They are now expected to make a decision at a future meeting.

Conservative Samantha Hoy, the council's portfolio holder for licensing, said she wanted to discuss the issue with taxi drivers.

She said the "taxi trade" had asked for a rise in maximum fares.

Councillors were told that proposed new maximum charges would only apply to Hackney Carriages - not private hire vehicles.

Figures relating to proposed increases were presented to councillors in a report by officers.

A table indicates a proposed fare increase of 5% for the first mile of a journey, from £4 to £4.20.

Beyond one mile, a fare would increase by 50%, from £2.20 per mile to £3.30, the table indicates.

Councillors have put a decision on increasing maximum taxi fares on hold

Independent David Patrick, who is also a taxi driver, said the proposed increases were "unreasonable".

Mr Patrick told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire that taxi drivers and passengers would be affected.

"It could well put Hackney carriage drivers out of work," said Mr Patrick, who represents Wisbech, Walsoken, and Waterlees.

"“People will not be able to afford to pay."

He said people used taxis because bus services were "so scarce" in some village.

Mr Patrick added: "We live in an area of high deprivation and it will stop people from being able to travel.

“It’s just unsustainable for people. It will deter people from using taxis."

He went on: "It’s an unreasonable cost."

Miss Hoy told Monday's meeting that she disagreed with Mr Patrick's analysis of proposed fare increases.

A number of people had written to the council raising concern about the maximum fare proposals.

Their concerns were included in the report given to councillors.