
Local commuters may soon face steeper travel costs after councillors approved a draft proposal to increase taxi fares across the region by as much as 12 per cent.
North Ayrshire Licensing Committee recently agreed to a "revised taxi fare scales" package, triggering a formal consultation process.
Under the new proposals, the initial "flag fall" for standard journeys (Tariff 1) would climb from £3.50 to £4.00, while the higher Tariff 2 rate would rise from £4.00 to £4.50.
The impact of the hike will be felt most sharply on shorter journeys. According to committee documents:
Short Trips: A one-mile journey under Tariff 1 would rise from £4.08 to £4.58—an increase of "12.3 per cent."
Mid-Distance: A two-mile trip would increase by 7.8 per cent, reaching £6.88.
Longer Hauls: A five-mile journey would see a more modest rise of 3.8 per cent, totaling £13.77.
Beyond the standard rates, the committee seeks to "amend Tariff 3 so that the festive tariff should begin at 7pm on Christmas Eve and 7pm on Hogmanay."
Notably, the council confirmed that "no changes would be made to the boundary zone, large-vehicle or soiling charges," and there will be no adjustments to mileage or waiting-time rates beyond the initial flag fall.
The committee has instructed the chief executive to "give notice of that draft," opening the floor to public feedback.
This consultation period will last at least one month before the committee meets again to finalise the scales.
Residents and drivers have until the spring to voice their opinions, as the "full process has to be concluded by May."

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