Bracknell Forest Council Wants your Opinion on Hackney Carriage Fares
Bracknell Forest council wants your say on whether hackney carriage operators should be permitted to increase their fares or not.
The council is required, by law, to consult on any proposed changes to the fares and would therefore welcome input from the taxi trade, residents and taxi users alike.
Current fees have been in place since August 2021. The business case to review the fares, received from a trade representative, cites the increase in fuel costs as the primary reason for the request. In essence the proposal seeks to increase the cost of a two mile journey from £6.80 to £7.80 when journey commences between 07:00 and 23:00 Monday to Sunday (excluding bank holidays, Christmas and New Year).
The Executive, at its meeting on the 24 May 2022, agreed unanimously that the request to consult on a 15% increase in the fares against a backdrop of a 25% increase in fuel costs should be accepted.
The process of setting a fare increase is complex and a balance needs to be struck between the legitimate aims of the taxi trade to maintain profitability in the face of increasing costs, while protecting the public from excessive fares.
The consultation will run from the 01 June to the 15 June 2022. Officers will collate the responses which will be presented to the Licensing and Safety Committee meeting on the 23 June.
If there are objections to the proposal and they are not withdrawn the Executive will need to make a decision on whether or not to vary the fares at the 19 July meeting. If no objections are received the revised fares will come into effect on the 16th June. Taxi users are reminded that these are the maximum fares that can be charged and a lesser fee can be agreed before the journey starts.
With so many varied voices your say can help get the right decision for all of us and ensure that both the taxi drivers and passengers get the best deal. For more information go to: Consultations - PPP (publicprotectionpartnership.org.uk)
