An 8% increase in taxi fares in North Tyneside is being considered to help drivers with rising fuel and living costs. The North Tyneside Hackney Carriage Association (NTHCA) has petitioned the local council to approve this hike, where a typical three-mile journey would average £5.52.
Scope of the Proposal
This proposed fare change targets hackney carriages, which are taxis that can be flagged down on the street or accessed via a taxi rank, distinct from those available for pre-booking. Alongside standard fare increases, additional fees for specific situations are also being examined, such as increasing the penalty for car theft from £125 to £130, and surcharges for pet transport, excluding service animals, from £3 to £4.
Concerns and Considerations
Labour councillor John O’Shea has expressed reservations, advocating for a more balanced approach rather than the suggested 8%. O’Shea highlighted that the local population is also burdened by cost of living concerns and stressed the importance of considering their challenges. “I just don’t think we have got the right balance,” he noted, acknowledging the hardships faced by the taxi trade due to rising fuel and insurance costs.
Next Steps
Before implementation, these proposed fare increases require the approval of the director of public health. If sanctioned, the details will be made public for a minimum of 14 days, during which period objections can be lodged.
Reporting based on coverage first published by bbc.co.uk.