Changes to taxi fare costs likely to go ahead in Glasgow
Glasgow's licensing committee has agreed to propose a 3.32% increase to the city's taxi fare scale, following an independent review.
It would see the minimum charge flag fall rise from £4.40 to £4.50 and the soiling charge lifted from £46 to £47.50.
The changes will now be open to representations, which would be reported back to the committee. Some trade representatives disagreed with the review's findings that insurance costs have decreased, saying drivers are reporting rises.
At a licensing meeting on Wednesday, the trade pushed for a more detailed 'bottom-up' review to be carried out.
Cllr Alex Wilson, SNP, the licensing committee chairman, said: 'A bottom-up review would be a great thing for us going forward, certainly there are more changes to the dynamics of what is happening out there.
READ MORE: Glasgow's new tourist tax approved - here's how much visitors will be charged
'I think we need to find out exactly how that is going to impact the trade.'
The review of the taxi fare scales has been carried out by Dr James Cooper. Changes were recommended after the review concluded the 'costs of operating a tax in Glasgow, the production costs, have increased'.
Under the plans, the flag fall distance and time would change from 889 yards to 880 yards and 167 seconds to 165 seconds. Each additional increment is set to change from a distance not exceeding 179 yards to a distance not exceeding 174 yards and the time changed from 38 seconds to 37 seconds.
However, the distance and time charge would remain at an increment of 30p. The additional charge for hires after 9pm and before 6am is expected to remain at £1.50 and the extra charge for hires between 9pm on December 24 and 6am on December 27 and 9pm on December 31 and 6am on January 3 is to stay at £2.70.
Glasgow Taxi Owners Federation wants to see extra charges for additional passengers, beyond two, and an increased night charge of £2 rather than £1.50 to 'encourage night working'.
It also proposed an alternative tariff which it said would be cheaper for customers. Dr Cooper said there was 'certainly a point of discussion around the structure of the tariff' which could be covered by a bottom-up review in future.
READ MORE: Group of 'neo-Nazis' kicked out of full council meeting
Glasgow Taxis said it had carried out work around demand and usage in the city and would like an opportunity to produce its evidence.
Dr Cooper's report had noted that 'insurance costs have declined over the period of review' but this 'follows a significant increase in the previous period'.
A representative from Unite the union was unable to attend the meeting, but, in a submission to the committee, it stated members had been surveyed and 'not one has reported a reduction' in insurance costs, with an average increase of around 8% instead.
The union also said radio dispatch costs have increased, and high new vehicle costs, plus the removal of some grants, are 'creating financial barriers'.
It added the 'council list of approved vehicles needs to be reviewed, as the dependence on local suppliers is preventing competitiveness, as more cost-effective vehicles are now available across the UK'.
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