Taxi fare increase proposed for South Ribble

The cost of taking a taxi in South Ribble could be set to increase after drivers asked for permission to put up fares.

Members of the local ‘Hackney’ cab trade – whose vehicles can be hailed in the street, as well as pre-booked – say they “desperately” need the hike in order to keep up with spiralling prices.

They want to increase maximum fares by four pence for every tenth of a mile travelled – and add 20p to the starting charge registered on the meter at the beginning of every journey.

South Ribble Borough Council’s licensing committee has agreed to launch a public consultation into the proposed rise.  If there are no objections from residents, it will come into force automatically – otherwise, it will be for the committee to make the decision.

Rates for private hire vehicles would not be affected, as they are not set by local authorities.

The last time Hackney fares increased in South Ribble was in 2022.  If the latest proposal is approved, the tenth-of-a-mile charge would rise from 20p to 24p, while the starting charge – known as the ‘flag drop’ price – would go up from £2.70 to £2.90.  Overnight and bank holiday fares – which are more expensive than standard rates – would rise by the same amounts.

The effect would be to increase the cost of a two-mile journey, taken between 6am and midnight, from £6.30 to £7.22 – still below the national average of £7.45.

Drivers are not obliged to levy the maximum permitted fee; they can charge less if they choose.

Ged Byrne, representing Hackney drivers in the borough, told the committee the request was in response to the cost of living having gone “through the roof”.

However, he added: “We’re very mindful about OAPs [and] the vulnerable in society – that’s [who] we deal with all the time.

“We’ve got to try and do it as fait[ly] as possible.  I think what we’ve asked for is very reasonable and …not excessive whatsoever.”

The council’s licensing manager, Chris Ward, said that while the most recent spike in fuel prices as a result of the Iran war had not been submitted as justification for the proposed rise, it should still be “taken into account” by the committee.

At the moment, South Ribble’s Hackney cabs are the 7th most expensive of 10 surrounding council areas, based on the charge for a two-mile trip. If the suggested increase is approved, the borough would move up to fourth in that table – behind Wyre (£8.50), Ribble Valley (£8) and Blackburn with Darwen (£7.22), but ahead of Fylde (£6.90), Wigan (£6.80), Blackpool (£6.80), Chorley (£6.20), Preston (£6) and Bolton (£6).

Chris Ward said the fact that Preston, Chorley and Bolton have more of a defined town centre area than South Ribble meant there was “more trade” for taxis in those places – and so it could be expected South Ribble’s charges would be “slightly higher than theirs”.