‘Long overdue’ increase in daytime taxi fares approved in RBWM

Councillors have voted in favour of a ‘long overdue’ increase in taxi fares in the Royal Borough to bring prices in line with the rate of inflation.

The Hackney carriage drivers’ tariff was last increased in 2022.

A group of drivers put forward a petition calling on the council to approve a 10 per cent price increase for the day fare.

They also want to see an increase for the minimum day fare from £6 to £7.

A report which went before the Royal Borough’s licensing panel at the town hall on Monday, October 13 said the tariff for a two-mile journey was lower in the borough than all other Berkshire authorities and most other neighbouring authorities.

Greg Nelson, the council’s trading standards and licensing manager, said that the increase would not be ‘out of line’ compared to its neighbours.

However, the vast majority of drivers who signed the petition (49 out of 50) are against increasing the nighttime fare.

This means there would be no change in price from 11pm to 6am and on bank holidays.

Hackney drivers spoke at the meeting in support of the changes.

One representative  said: “We don’t want to burden customers with another tariff 2 [nighttime fare] rise.

“We acknowledged the competition and we as a trade had to think what was best for our trade.”

Councillors backed the change to the day tariff.

Councillor Neil Knowles (OWRA, Old Windsor) said: “People have got to make a living, that’s a fact.

He added: “I’m a big fan of the hackneys and the service they provide. I’m inclined to swing quite heavily behind [the drivers’] overwhelming opinion. I think it’s kind of a no brainer.”

He also warned against comparisons with Uber prices, due to the demand-led model of the platform.

Cllr Mark Wilson (Lib Dem, Eton and Castle) further said a price increase was ‘very much overdue’.

“The value of having vetted, licensed and local taxi drivers is very high. We are clearly below other areas, so I think it’s very reasonable to have this sort of catch up,” said Cllr Wilson.

Cllr Simon Bond (Lib Dem, Belmont) agreed that an increase is needed but also advised drivers to consider a future rise for their night tariff as well.

He said: “Given the amount of inflation that there’s been over the last three years I think option 1 [the day fare increase] could almost be thought of as overdue because it’s important that the drivers of our taxis are properly remunerated for the work they do.

“So, this increase is largely keeping up with real prices, including the rate of inflation.”

He said drivers should consider increasing the night tariff by 5 per cent in six months’ time to ‘strike the right balance’.

One councillor abstained from the vote, but the rest of the licensing panel voted in favour of increasing the day tariff fare by 10 per cent with no changes to the night tariff at this stage.

A 14-day statutory consultation period is now due to start, offering residents the opportunity to comment on the price increase before it is implemented.