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08
Sept
Taxi fare review: likely outcome revealed
Pleas by taxi drivers in Harrogate and Ripon to increase fares look set to be rejected.
North Yorkshire Council, which licenses hackney carriages, ran a six-week consultation on fares from June 16 and July 28.
Kevin O’Boyle, who owns Central Radio Cars in Harrogate, and Richard Fieldman, a hackney carriage driver in Ripon, called for fare increases.
Mr O’Boyle said:
“From 6 April 2025 I am having to pay a higher minimum wage and higher national insurance contributions. Without a fare increase I have no way of offsetting these costs.”
Mr Fieldman called for flag fall — the fixed, initial fee — to be increased from £4 to £4.20 between 7am and 10pm and a 5% increase in some tariffs.
The Take Me Group, which owns taxi companies in Malton, Pickering and Whitby, also called for fare increases.
The taxi rank on Harrogate's Station Parade.
But Gareth Bentley, the council’s head of licensing, recommends in a report to the council’s ruling Conservative executive, which meets on Tuesday next week, that current fares are maintained.
Councillor Richard Foster, the executive member for licensing, said:
When setting the maximum fares for taxis, we must be mindful of setting a price that is acceptable to the customer as well as the trade.
If we set fares too high, customers may choose not to use them or use alternative providers. Similarly, if they are too low then the trade cannot afford to make a living and may leave the profession.
Of course, the fares are also the maximum a driver can charge, and they can charge a lower fare should they wish to do so.
Fares too high?
The summer consultation, which attracted about 300 responses, suggests most people — including taxi drivers — don't support fare increases.
A total of 97% of residents, visitors or businesses, and 70 per cent of the trade, said the current maximum fare for a three-mile journey during the day was much too high, somewhat high or about right.
Similarly, residents, visitors or businesses believed the same with the nighttime tariff (96 per cent) and the festive period tariff (92 per cent), with 75 per cent of the trade on both counts.
However, Mr O'Boyle claimed the survey was flawed and pointless.
Fares for hackney carriages, which can be hailed in the street, are based on distance and waiting time, with an initial flag fall charge followed by charges per distance and per minute of waiting time.
They are not applicable to private hire vehicles, which are booked in advance, as these are set by the operator rather than the licensing authority.
How much are taxi fares?
These are the current rates, which the council looks set to. maintain.
Tariff 1 (Between 7am and 10pm)
Flag fall for the first 440 yards or part thereof: £4
Drop at 440 yards and every 158.56 yards or part thereof: 20p
Waiting time for each period of 35.59 seconds or part thereof: 20p
Tariff 2 (Between 10pm and 7am & Public holidays*)
Flag fall for the first 440 yards or part thereof: £6
Drop at 440 yards and every 167.62 yards or part thereof: 30p
Waiting time for each period of 37.36 seconds or part thereof: 30p
*All public holidays other than those listed in tariff 3, tariff 2 applies throughout the 24-hour period.
Tariff 3 (Christmas and New Year**)
Flag fall for the first 440 yards or part thereof: £8
Drop at 440 yards and every 167.62 or part thereof: 40p
Waiting time for each period of 37.36 seconds or part thereof: 40p
**From 6pm 24th December to 7am 27th December and 6pm 31st December to 7am 2nd January. £8.00 £0.40 £0.40
Fouling charge: maximum charge £100.00
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