Taxi drivers want the council to put up fares to help them deal with the increasing costs of running and maintaining a licensed cab.
A report to Brighton and Hove City Council’s cabinet cited trade concerns about higher fuel prices, insurance premiums and the cost of meeting the high standards in the “blue book” – the rules set by the council.
They said that fares had not kept up with inflation and Brighton and Hove had dropped from 14th to joint 38th in the national taxi fare rankings. The trade wanted a return to 14th.
In the report, the taxi trade statement said: “With the government living wage rising to £13.45 per hour, fares need to support drivers in achieving this income.
“For example, a driver working on a 50/50 arrangement will need to earn at least £30 per hour to collect living wage, particularly if they also cover fuel costs.”
The proposals from the taxi trade include keeping the starting fare the same but allowing fares to clock up after a shorter time and distance.
The council can set the fares only for licensed “hackney carriages” – the legal name for the vehicles that can use taxi ranks or be hailed in the street.
The report to the council’s cabinet said that private hire vehicles, which have to be pre-booked, often follow the taxi trade’s lead when it comes to fares.
The report recommended higher taxi fares to the council’s cabinet, saying: “Even with the proposed increase, Brighton and Hove would remain broadly in line with comparable local authorities, including Lewes and Worthing, rather than becoming an outlier nationally.
“The proposed tariff also continues to represent good value for passengers travelling at night.
“Unlike many authorities that apply a night tariff of up to 1.5 times the daytime rate, Brighton and Hove’s tariff structure applies only a modest supplement to the initial fare, meaning the city’s evening and overnight charges remain comparatively low.
“The proposed increase is therefore considered both proportionate and necessary to support a viable, accessible and sustainable taxi service.”
The basic fare would start at £3 and increase by 30p every 160 yards, down from 176 yards, with a waiting time of 36 seconds, down from 54.
The night fare starts at £4 from 9pm to midnight or from 6pm on Sundays and public holidays. The late-night tariff between midnight and 6am would start at £5.
There are higher charges over Christmas and the new year.
If the council’s cabinet approves the increases, a public consultation will take place before they come into force.
The cabinet is due to meet at Hove Town Hall at 10.30am on Thursday (17 September). The meeting is scheduled to be webcast.
