Taxi fares in Christchurch to rise by 6%, BCP Council agrees

TAXI fares in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole area are to rise again in November by another 6%.

It follows an 8% increase already in force after being agreed at a meeting in May, writes Trevor Bevins of the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

It will mean a compounded increase of around 15% over a period of six months.

The review of charges was requested by the area’s Taxi and Private Hire Association which said its members would make no extra profit from the increase and would only put fares up to remain in line with rising fuel costs.

David Lane, from the association, told a meeting of BCP Council's licensing committee that without the extra increase many drivers face the prospect of not being able to make a living and may have to stop driving.

The committee heard hearsay evidence that there had already been a reduction in taxis, and often between 8pm and 9pm in some areas it had become difficult to get a cab.

A move to amend the resolution to allow fare rates to automatically revert to the existing scale on 1st May, unless reviewed again, was heavily defeated. Another suggestion to increase only night-time charges did not gain enough support to be put to the vote.

Cllr Bryan Dion said: “Rarely do we see prices go down. Why are we trying to put handcuffs on these guys trying to earn a living?”

Mr Lane said his members were aware that further increases might reduce the number of people wanting to take a taxi.

But he said without some protection from fluctuating fuel price many drivers may not want to continue to trade.

He warned a lack of certainty over rising costs would also make it difficult for them to have the confidence to update vehicles or liveries.

Although some fuel prices had gone down in recent weeks, Mr Lane said it it was impossible to say what would happen in the future, although the trend overall was likely to be upwards.

He claimed that diesel was now £1.60 a gallon, or 35p a litre, more than it was at the start of the year.

The committee meeting heard that the area currently has no registered all-electric taxis although the number of hybrid vehicles has increased.

Mr Lane said he felt it unlikely that his association would return in the near future to ask for another increase.

“There is no point in keep asking for more and more if people cease using us.

"We need to be fair to customers but we also need to look after our members and assure that they have enough income,” he said.

Cllr David Kelsey proposed the additional 6% increase from 1st November saying that even with prices fluctuating it would be up to the council to review the fares at any time, should fuel or other costs vary greatly.