Wirral to Liverpool drop-off taxi fee plan scrapped

Unite had said if the traffic is bad it can take an hour to get back to Wirral from Liverpool

A controversial plan to introduce a £5 drop off fee for taxis going to Liverpool from Wirral has been scrapped.

The extra charge was due to be brought in this year following approval by Wirral Council in November, along with a series of fare rises.

Taxi drivers argued the rise was needed in order to make a living, the Unite Union said.

Councillors decided to drop the charge and increase some maximum fares.

Nine objections were received over the proposals.

Some maximum fares will increase from 21 February, though to a lesser extent than previously proposed.

• The current day rate of £3.60 for the first 900ft (274m) and 20p for every 620ft (189m) will stay the same

• ·The night tariff will now be £3.80 for the first 1,049ft (320m) instead of the first 900ft (274m) and will go up 25p for every 495ft (151m) after that

• ·For public and bank holidays, it will be £4.50 for the first 1,049ft (320m) instead of the first 900ft (274m) going up 25p for every 495ft (151m)

• ·For Christmas and new year, it will be £5.70 for the first 2,641ft (805m) instead of the first 900ft (274m) and will go up by 40p every 495ft (151m), a 21% increase over two miles according to councillors

Councillor Stephen Bennett, who put forward the new proposal, said it still gave drivers a rise but "comes in line with the objections as well, so we're trying to do both that works for the public and gives taxi drivers an earning they deserve".

Speaking in favour, Labour councillor Tom Laing said: "This is still a fairly hefty increase that reflects the cost-of-living crisis and the pressures taxi drivers are facing, while also reflecting the struggles many customers are also facing."

The rise was voted through by Labour, Conservative and Liberal Democrat councillors, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

The committee's four Green Party councillors voted against the proposal and councillor Ewan Tomeny said the decision was difficult but pointed to the union's arguments drivers are "often working at less than minimum wage".

While the £5 Liverpool drop off charge has now been scrapped, people will still have to pay the tunnel toll to and from Liverpool.