SOMERSET COUNCIL PROPOSES 10 PER CENT HIKE IN MAXIMUM TAXI FARES TO HELP RURAL DRIVERS

Somerset Council has unveiled plans to raise the maximum fares hackney carriages can charge across the county to help drivers cope with rising inflation and fuel costs.

Under the new proposals, maximum distance and waiting time charges will increase by 10 per cent, while taxi drivers will also be allowed to add a discretionary booking fee of up to £10 for pre-booked trips.

This new fee is specifically designed to encourage drivers to accept bookings in rural areas, where they often have to travel long distances just to pick up a passenger.

The changes come after a council survey revealed that 59 per cent of licensed taxi owners supported a price hike.

Under the new standard tariff, the cost for the first mile will rise from £4.60 to £5.06, with each additional tenth of a mile increasing from 30p to 33p.

The maximum waiting time charge will also see a bump, moving from £1.00 to £1.10 for every two minutes.

However, the council confirmed that existing extra fees for evenings, weekends, public holidays, and larger groups will remain the same.

The maximum £100 soilage charge will also stay in place, and drivers can still recover toll and clean air zone fees where applicable.

Local officials emphassed that these rates are a legal ceiling, meaning drivers can still choose to charge passengers less than the maximum allowed.

Cllr Federica Smith-Roberts, Somerset Council’s lead member for communities, said: “The proposed changes seek to balance the rising costs faced by drivers with the need to keep fares fair for passengers.”

She noted that the council is legally required to review any public objections before making a final decision, adding: “If no objections are received, the proposed table of fares will take effect automatically.”

Residents who wish to object can do so through the council's online Citizen Space survey.

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