There are two types of vehicles that this Authority licence which can charge to transport passengers within the district. The first is for public hire, otherwise known as a Hackney Carriage vehicle or Taxi. Taxis can be hailed from a street or from an authorised rank within Stratford on Avon Town Centre. The second is for Private Hire vehicles which may only carry passengers that have been pre-booked in advance of a journey.
Charges made by vehicles for public hire (taxis) are fixed by the Local Authority they are licensed with. This fee is the maximum price that a taxi can charge. Private hire vehicles may charge whatever they have agreed with the pre booked passenger beforehand.
In accordance with Section 65 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976, when a District Council receives a proposal to increase the tariff rate from the taxi trade, the Local Authority has a set process they have to follow for implementing the proposal. In this instance the Licensing Authority for Stratford on Avon were approached by a small number of the taxi trade with a proposal to increase the existing Taxi Tariff for Stratford on Avon licensed Hackney Carriage Vehicles. The request was made due to the length of time since an increase took place, the increase in living and fuel costs.
As part of the process and to gauge the opinion of the whole trade a survey was sent to all Hackney Carriage (Taxi) Drivers. The survey results showed that 98% of drivers were in support of a taxi fare increase. Following this a further survey was conducted to ascertain the level of increase. This was responded to by 35% of the drivers surveyed, with the preferred increase being 30%.
A 30% increase was calculated on the flag down only which would have seen the following changes:
A 10-mile journey on T1 would rise from £22.70 to £23.40
A 10-mile journey on T2 would rise from £32.59 to £33.64
A 10-mile journey on T3 would rise from £45.40 to £46.80
All other fees are to remain unchanged.
The above came out of consultation on the 16th November 2022. During this period twenty four taxi drivers made representation in respect of the proposed increase. The objections stated that an increase should also include the mileage charge. In line with the Councils procedures this matter went back to Regulatory Committee for determination. More information on this meeting can be found here. This meeting resolved that in addition to the 30% increase on the initial charge a further 30% increase should be added to the mileage charges:
A 30% increase on the initial rate and a 30% increase on the mileage has been calculated which would see the following changes:
A 10-mile journey on T1 would rise from £22.70 to £29.52
A 10-mile journey on T2 would rise from £32.59 to £42.39
A 10-mile journey on T3 would rise from £45.40 to £59.05
All other fees are to remain unchanged.
No objections or comments were received in relation to this following a further notice of consultation. As such the tables of fares have been increased. This increased took effect on Monday 9th January 2023. A copy of the new tariff card can be found here.
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