Taxi fare increase requested by drivers approved

The Worthing Taxi Trade submitted a petition for fare increases to the council in January

A taxi fare increase requested by drivers has been approved by Worthing Borough Council.

All taxi fare start rates are to increase by £1 in the borough, according to the new tariffs set out in a petition submitted by the Worthing Taxi Trade.

A maximum standard daytime start rate will rise to £4, while the maximum standard night time start rate will increase to £5.

The Worthing Taxi Trade said the rise was needed due to "unprecedented" inflation since the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as increasing maintenance, insurance and licensing fee costs.

A spokesperson said: "The Worthing Taxi Trade has been attuned to these economic challenges and has deliberately refrained from requesting a fare increase following a proposal made last year."

The group also said there was a "troubling trend" of a loss of some long-serving licensed drivers, which could also increase licensing fees on remaining drivers.

"We greatly value our relationship with the public and recognise their importance to our business; thus, we have chosen to adopt a cautious approach before submitting this proposed tariff update," they said.

According to the Worthing Taxi Trade, while many individuals have experienced "incremental wage increases", taxi drivers have "not kept pace with these wage adjustments".

The maximum passenger soiling charge will also go from £100 up to £150, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The fares were approved unanimously at council licensing and control committee meeting on Monday.

The proposed tariffs will go out to public consultation for two weeks before potentially coming into effect.

Follow BBC Sussex on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to [e-mail] or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.