The Bridgend County Hackney Association has made a formal request to Bridgend Council to increase taxi fares (pdf). The issue is set to be discussed by the Cabinet this week.
While the taxi sector has been hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic, the main factor behind the request is the rapid increase in fuel prices and the impact inflation is having on the trade more generally.
Figures in the report show that between 2019 and 2021, Bridgend lost 86 licenced vehicles and 110 licenced taxi and private hire vehicle drivers. This had recovered slightly so far in 2022 but not quite to 2019 levels.
Most of the proposed fare increases are between 11-15%, but a one-mile journey during daytime hours would increase by just over 21%.
The full proposed tariff table is below. The numbers below the tariff indicate the length of a journey in miles alongside the current cost of a journey and the proposed cost.
It works out as an increase to the flag rate/first half-mile of 70p and an increase in the meter rate of 2p-per-10th of a mile. It’s also proposed to increase waiting charges.
If the Cabinet agrees, the proposed increase could be introduced from 26th September 2022 subject to a 14-day period in which objections can be tabled.
