HACKNEY cab drivers in Hyndburn are bidding to increase their fares for the first time in five years... just in time for Christmas
They are demanding more cash to meet rising fuel and insurance costs.
But according to the chairman of the Hyndburn Taxi Association, Mohammed Arif, the fares would still be the lowest in Lancashire.
He said: "We have no choice but to increase fares. They have stayed the same since 1999 but everything else has gone up including fuel prices, insurance and council fees.
"We are still offering a value-for-money service and taxis in other areas are more expensive."
The borough is one of only five in the country not to increase fares since 1999. The price hikes would affect both day and night services.
Under the proposed changes, it would cost a passenger £7.90 to travel five miles instead of the current £7.20. A five-mile journey between 6pm on Christmas Eve and 6am on 27 December, and from 6pm on New Year's Eve to 6am on 2 January, would cost an extra £2.45.
Other fares include a £25 soiling charge to compensate drivers whose vehicles have to be taken off the road for cleaning, 20p for the use of the boot and 20p for each dog carried, except guide dogs.
Hyndburn Council is now considering whether to give the fares the green light, although it has pledged to give the public time to object before they are introduced.
- See the table on page 11 of this week's Accrington Observer for the full list of proposed new fares.
