Taxi fares set to rise in South Cumbria

The cost of a two-mile journey in the south of Cumbria will increase by between 20p and 50p

Taxi fares are set to increase in South Cumbria from April.

The average cost of a two-mile daytime journey with no waiting time will rise from £6.50 to £6.80 in Barrow, from £6.60 to £6.80 in Eden and from £6.70 to £7.20 in South Lakeland.

The national average taxi fare for a two-mile daytime journey is £6.97.

Westmorland and Furness Council agreed the rise on Monday and heard work was ongoing to bring fares in line across the area.

'Not inclusive'

George Harkin, a taxi driver in Barrow for 10 years, objected to plans to increase the fares, instead of harmonising them, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

He said the disparity was "unacceptable".

He added: "Why should people like myself be treated differently in what we can earn as taxi drivers in the same district of Westmorland and Furness.

"The opportunity is now to deliver the same reward to all taxi drivers no matter what geographical location they are in in Westmorland and Furness.

"What is being proposed today is not inclusive and it is not fair."

Councillor Helen Ladhams, chair of the regulatory committee, said she agreed that fares should be equal and told the meeting that a consultation and approval from the Secretary of State would be necessary for harmonisation.

The head of public protection for the council Graham Barker told the committee work was under way for an overarching policy to cover all of Westmorland and Furness.

A consultation held ahead of the meeting of the regulatory committee to decide on increases found 83% of licence holders in Barrow supported the proposal, with 61% in favour in the Eden area as well as 91% in the South Lakeland area.