Carlisle taxi fares increase backed by council
Carlisle taxi fares increase backed by council
City council members in Carlisle have given their endorsement to new plans to increase the cost of taxi fares by 8.7 per cent.
Under the new proposals, the minimum fare paid by taxi clients will increase by 20p from £2.30 to £2.50 as of October 2010, the first rise to be implemented since 2008, reports the News & Star.
Explaining its decision, the council deemed that the relatively high cost of Carlisle's fares compared to other areas in the country is reasonable, due to the high standard of service offered and the increased amount of congestion.
It was also suggested that escalating transport costs have taken place since 2009, when a fare increase was ruled out due to economic considerations.
Licensing officer Barry Sharrock said: "The taxi association has canvassed their members and they are reasonably happy with the proposed increase.
"It helps with shorter journeys but doesn't hammer long-distance fares to Longtown or Brampton."
Last month, the Hartlepool Mail reported that north-east cabbies are raising concern about rising operating costs in the local trade, an issue which could be exacerbated by proposed changes to the licensing system.
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