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Posted on the 9th May 2025 in PHTM News
EAST LOTHIAN TAXI FARES SET TO RISE BY 10 PER CENT IN JUNE
Taxi fares across East Lothian are set to increase by 10% this summer following a decision by local councillors.
The move comes after taxi operators appealed for a more substantial 25% hike, citing rising National Insurance costs and the increased living wage as significant financial pressures.
While acknowledging the industry's challenges, elected members on the council’s licensing sub-committee opted for a smaller increase. Councillor Jeremy Findlay explained the rationale behind the decision, stating that the initially proposed 25% rise represented "too big a burden on rural communities."
Taxi firms had requested the initial charge to customers to increase by over 5%, moving from £3.60 to £3.80. Their proposal also included a 25% increase in waiting time and journey fees, escalating from 24p to 30p and 48p to 60p during the Christmas period.
Councillors approved the 5.5% rise to the initial charge but capped the additional increase at 10%.
The decision followed a meeting where one objection to the fare increase was raised by a representative of the Gifford and Bolton communities.
Currently, a five-mile taxi journey with a five-minute wait for two passengers is estimated to cost £18.96 in East Lothian. This compares to £20.03 in Edinburgh, £17 in Midlothian, £14.40 in West Lothian, and £15.60 in the Scottish Borders.
The new fare structure is slated to take effect on June 30th, following a period of public advertisement allowing for further representations to be made.
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