Taxi price hike

9.38.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 9th Jul 2008

Fuel prices have increased by 23% for petrol and 36% for diesel in the time from August 2007 to June 2008, putting up to 5 pence per mile on the costs of motoring. This has hit taxi drivers particularly hard and the trade is asking West Wiltshire council for an increase.

Proposals for increases of up to 29% in the cost of taking a taxi had been put forward. These were considered by the licensing committee on July 9th, and a moderate increase of 20p per mile, from £1.55 to £1.75, was agreed. This now goes out to consultation before a final decision in September.

The proposal also involves an increase in waiting time fees from 21p to 25p per minute.