Agenda item

To consider a report setting out proposed changes to Hackney Carriage fares.

The Committee considered a report proposing changes to the tariffs charged by Hackney Carriages in Bracknell Forest. 

Since the implementation of the current hackney carriage tariff, in July 2008, the trade had been subject to increasing costs in many areas including fuel prices, insurance, wages and inflation.  As a consequence of and with a view to taking steps to help mitigate these increases the Bracknell Forest Licensed Taxi Forum had requested that the Council review the tariff and two potential new tariffs had been submitted by the Bracknell Licensed Taxi Forum for consideration, with Option 2 being the preferred option:

Option 1: First 700 yards £3.00, each subsequent 219 yards 20p

Option 2: First 700 yards £3.00, each subsequent 200 yards 20p

As part of the subsequent review, officers had also taken the opportunity to start consultation with the hackney carriage trade over wider issues within the tariff relating to additional charges that could be made for trips made at different times of day, journeys made on specific days for example bank holidays and the number of seats occupied during a journey. 

The Chairman invited Mr Yexley, Chairman of the Bracknell Licensed Taxi Forum, to speak to the meeting.  Mr Yexley expressed the view that while the proposed increase would only go part way to meeting the additional costs incurred it was a step in the right direction.  The possibility of setting up a working group with Council officers and hackney carriage proprietors to look at the tariff structure was also suggested.

The Chairman subsequently invited Mrs Jane Robson, JJM Taxis and Zulu Cars, speak to the meeting.  Mrs Robson expressed the view that while a tariff increase was necessary the scale of the proposed increases would have a significant impact on the volume of trade received.  In addition, the tariff should be reviewed on a more frequent basis.

Arising from member’s questions and comments the following points were noted:

• While it might be possible to set out a specific criteria that all meters had to meet it would not be possible to insist that all vehicles were fitted with a particular make and model of meter.  Any meter changes would be subject to an appropriate period of consultation
• A proposal to introduce new tariffs mirroring the current tariffs but taking into account journeys with five or more passengers would be addressed through the consultation on the structure of the taxi tariff
• The meter showed the maximum chargeable fare.  If a passenger chose to negotiate a lower fee this was at the discretion of the driver
• The table showing comparisons with neighbouring local authorities were current fares
• The receipt of one consultation response objecting to the proposed tariff increases would be sufficient to cause the proposed fees to be revisited and brought back to the Committee for further consideration

RESOLVED that:

a)      From 1 April 2011 the following tariff changes will be advertised, namely

                                 i.            for the first 700 yards: £3.00 and

                               ii.            for each subsequent 200 yards: 20p

                              iii.            waiting time of 45 seconds: 20p

b)      If no objections are received, the new tariff will come into effect in the week beginning 18 April 2011

c)      Any objections were to be considered by the Committee at their next meeting on 25 May 2011, in which case a new tariff would come into effect in the week beginning 31 May 2011

d)      Officers continue to consult on the structure of the taxi tariff and bring a report to the Committee on the results of that consultation