Selby taxi fares to be frozen

By Richard Harris » TAXI fares in Selby have been frozen for another 12 months after drivers voted against a rise.

Both private hire and hackney carriage operators were asked whether they wanted to see a hike in the fares they could charge customers. The majority agreed they did not as they did not want to put customers off during a recession.

Tim Grogan, licensing officer at Selby District Council, said: “We wrote to them asking for their opinions on tariff increases and their reply back has been ‘no change’.

“The trade’s view is that they don’t want them to rise because of the recession and they don’t want to put customers off.”

The current fare for the daytime rate – which lasts from 7am to 11pm – is £3 for the first three-quarters of a mile then £1.50 for every mile thereafter. If a full mile is not travelled the customer is charged 10p for every 117 yards.

The night rate – from 11pm to 7am – is £3.50 for the first three quarters of a mile then £1.70 per mile.

Tony Maddison, owner of Station Taxis in Selby, said drivers wanted to make sure they retained their customers.

He said: “At the moment everybody is feeling the pinch and we don’t want to scare people off by putting the fares up. We don’t want to put people off and force them onto other means of transport if we can do our best to keep fares down.”

Coun Ruth Saynor, chairman of Selby Council’s licensing committee, said: “In these difficult economic times, we are committed to ensuring that taxi fares are set at a reasonable and fair level.

“Keeping taxi fares at the same level as they have been for the last two years will help both passengers continue to use taxis and will help to support the drivers as well.”

But taxi drivers themselves have to wait to see of their own bills will be increased. The licensing committee is expected to discuss drivers’ licensing fees at a meeting on February 8.

Possibly Related Posts: