Hackney cab prices in Nottingham are set for an increase as the costs of fuel and living continue to soar. Prices were last hiked in 2018.
Nottingham City Council says it is proposing a 15.36% increase on day-time trips while the average night-time proposed increase is 12.3%. This is a smaller increase than the 16.5% and 15.3% respectively in 2018.
The Labour-run authority says this is due to the significant rises in the cost of diesel, insurance and the impact of the Covid pandemic. It says: "Refusing the application for a tariff increase has been considered but rejected due to the rises in the cost of diesel and the cost of living.
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"The trade has been particularly hit hard by the pandemic and lockdowns which resulted in a significant fall in business customers and the closure of the night time economy with a number of Hackney drivers moving to the Private Hire Trade who can set or change their fares without council approval."
Council documents suggest the soiling charge will also increase from £45 to £60. The decision has been approved, subject to call-in, whereby cabinet members are asked to look at a decision again.
The council adds: "The request consists of an increase in the daytime and night-time rates of tariff, extension of the time for the fare and a half tariff on Christmas Eve to 12 noon, an increase in the charge for waiting and for an addition £1 charge per journey on Bank Holidays. Since the last fare increase in 2018, it is claimed that insurance costs have increased to between £1500 and £2500 per year depending on the type of vehicle insured, compared with £1200 to £1800 3 years ago and that diesel prices have increased by 24% since the last fare increase, from 135.1p to 177.5p per litre.
"Also, due to the recent implementation of the Councils Age & Emissions Policy, investment in new vehicles is particularly high and ranges between £35,000 and £72,000. The average daytime proposed increase 15.36% whilst the average night-time proposed increase is 12.3%.
"Such an increase is seen as proportionate and necessary balancing the interests of paying taxi passengers and hackney carriage proprietors. It will also enable the proprietors to maintain their vehicles in good order to the benefit of passengers."
Fares between 6am and 10pm (max rate):
£2.00 for any distance up to but not including 125.7 yards rising to £2.00 for any distance up to but not including 122.2 yards
20p for each subsequent 125.7 yards up to 1760 yards rising to 20p for each subsequent 86.2 yards up to 1760 yards
20p for each subsequent 176 yards or part thereof rising to 20p for each subsequent 160 yards or part thereof
20p waiting time for each 42 seconds (£17ph) rising to 20p waiting time for each 38 seconds (£19ph)
Soiling charge rising from a maximum of £45 to a proposed £60.
