Taxi fares in Northumb erland are set to increase from next month in response to an increase in the price of fuels.
The increase will only apply to so-called hackney carriages - that is, those taxis licensed by the local authority - and was agreed by councillors on Northumberland County Council's licensing and regulatory committee on Wednesday.
The agreement will see all fares rise by five per cent from July 4 2022. However, due to the way the tariffs are calculated, it means the distance travelled before the meter 'ticks' up will decrease.
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For example, under the current tariff the fare costs £2.50 fore the first 500 yards, with each subsequent 91 yards costing 10p. Under the new arrangements, the fare will cost £2.60 for the first 500 yards and increase by 10p every 86 yards.
It should be noted that these are the maximum amount that operators of hackney carriages can charge, and actual costs may be lower. In addition, there are different charges for larger vehicles and charges on bank holidays and over the festive period are also higher.
Furthermore, the changes were agreed back in March - prior to the worst increases in the cost of fuel and the cost of living generally - meaning fares could yet rise further. Since then the public has been consulted on the changes with notices issued in local press - but respondents to the consultation have been low.
Speaking at the meeting, the council's director of housing and public protection Philip Soderquest said: "We've seen a great increase in the cost of living and more noticeably we've seen a significant increase in fuel cost. Had we run the consultation today we might have got a different response.
"We have strived to include everything we have received up to today. Taxis have always been a luxury but even more so now."
But Coun Brian Gallacher, who represents the Haydon ward, raised concerns over the lack of respondents.
He said: "I don't think taxis are a luxury. I think they're becoming crucial for a lot of people where they've lost their bus service and they cannot afford to use cars.
"I'm really concerned about the consultation and the numbers being low. I get the feeling we're guessing what the industry wants. Times are changing very quickly in respect of the cost of living and fuel."
It was explained that there was no time limit on changing the tariff and if a request came from the industry the committee could consider it again in the near future.
A majority of councillors on the committee voted to support the increase.
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