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Posted on the 18th June 2025 in PHTM News
MIDLOTHIAN TAXI OPERATORS FINALLY GET APOLOGY AFTER THREE YEAR FARE REVIEW DELAY
Taxi operators in Midlothian have finally received an apology from council officers after a critical fare review was delayed by over a year, leaving them grappling with escalating operational costs.
The delay means it's been nearly three years since the last fare increase, despite a policy dictating reviews every 18 months.
During a Midlothian Council's General Purpose committee meeting on June 17, industry representatives highlighted the severe impact of the delay, calling for fare increases of up to 20% to offset rising expenses.
The Midlothian Taxi Owner’s Association (MTOA) has urged the council to align its fares with those in Edinburgh to help meet these burgeoning costs.
Proposed changes include an increase in initial daytime hire charges from £3 to £3.50, evening charges from £3.80 to £4.50, and festive holiday rates from £4.50 to £5.
Additionally, the MTOA proposes a 20% increase in time and distance charges, from 25p to 30p, across all tariffs.
Councillors pressed officers for an explanation regarding the prolonged delay. Derek Oliver, the council's head of place, attributed the hold-up to "changes in licensing and we have had a number of work themes to go through."
He added: "We can only apologise that is has taken this long to get to where we are now."
The proposed changes will now undergo a public consultation, with results expected in at least a month. However, councillors acknowledged that even with a swift approval, it would still mean nearly a three-year gap between fare increases, a significant burden for local taxi operators.
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