Maximum charges for taxi fares to be considered

North Yorkshire Council will review whether to propose amended tariffs for taxis next week

Changes to the maximum amount that taxis can charge are being considered by North Yorkshire Council to "strike a balance" between customers and drivers.

A consultation found that for a daytime three-mile journey, 97% of residents, visitors or businesses felt fares were currently "much too high, somewhat high or about right".

A meeting to review whether to propose amended tariffs will take place on Tuesday, with any new pricing consulted upon before a final decision was made.

Councillor Richard Foster said that when setting maximum taxi fares, the council should be "mindful" to set a price that was acceptable to both the public and the trade.

"If we set fares too high, customers may choose not to use them or use alternative providers," he said.

"Similarly, if they are too low then the trade cannot afford to make a living and may leave the profession."

Fares are calculated on distance and waiting time along with an initial flat fee, according to the council.

Out of the 300 people that responded to the consultation, 70% of the trade also agreed that daytime pricing fell between "much too high, somewhat high or about right".

Concerns were raised by drivers that the cost of running a taxi had increased significantly over the years, as had the cost of living.

The council acknowledged that drivers should be compensated for working unsociable hours, especially over the festive period.

The tariffs are not applicable to private hire vehicles as these were set by the operator rather than the licensing authority.

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