8 July 2008: Lewes District Council to keep Taxi Fare Increase fair

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The rising global price of oil is about to impact on local taxi fares, but councillors on Lewes District Council’s Cabinet look set to approve a range of increases that will keep the district’s fares fair.

Following a request from the taxi trade to increase the amount they can charge due to dramatic rises in both fuel and insurance costs, the Cabinet is to consider a proposal to raise taxi fares at its meeting on 16 July 2008.  The Council is keen to peg Taxi Fare increases for the public while ensuring the taxi trade receives a fair settlement which allows taxi operators and drivers to run viable businesses.

The Council last set taxi fares for the District in 2006, so the proposed rise will be first for nearly two years.  In that time, motoring costs, particularly for the taxi trade have gone up sharply – fuel costs have risen by over 43% for diesel and nearly 37% for petrol.  Taxi operators have also seen huge increases in insurance costs.

Chris Bowers, Lead Councillor for the Environment at Lewes District Council, said:
“We have to strike a balance here. We see the availability of reasonably priced taxis as essential to encouraging people to use their cars less and rely more on walking and public transport, so we’re very reluctant to set above-inflation increases. But we also recognise that costs to the taxi trade have risen hugely over the last two years.

“In drawing up the new tariff, we have arrived at a new fare structure that will still be among the most reasonable in Sussex, particularly for local trips. For example, trips of two miles and under remain competitive and reasonably priced.”

The Council uses a formula for setting Taxi Fares and seeks to set fares at the average level in operation across all Sussex local authorities.  The minimum fare at which the meter starts – known in the trade as the Flag Fall – will rise by 8.3% (from £2.40 to £2.60), the charge for the first mile by 21.4% and for the 2nd mile by 12.5%.

If agreed, the structure is likely to come into operation at the end of August.

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