Worthing taxi passengers face higher fares after Worthing Borough Council approved an increase after drivers requested it.
The move follows a petition submitted in January by 37 members of the Worthing Taxi Trade, citing "unprecedented inflation since Covid" and rising operational costs.
The council’s licensing and control committee unanimously approved the fare changes at a special meeting on Monday, February 10. The new tariffs include a £1 increase to all starting fares.
Daytime rates (6am-11pm) for one to four passengers will rise from £3 to £4, with the incremental charge changing from £0.10 per 88 yards or 18 seconds to £0.10 per 70.1 yards or 16 seconds.
Nighttime rates (11pm-6am) will increase from a £4 to a £5 start, with the subsequent charge adjusted from £0.20 per 120 yards or 30 seconds to £0.20 per 97.2 yards or 30 seconds.
The maximum passenger soiling charge will also increase, from £100 to £150.
In their petition, the Worthing Taxi Trade highlighted the "troubling trend" of drivers leaving the profession, potentially leading to increased licensing fees for those remaining.
They explained: "The Worthing taxi trade has been attuned to these economic challenges and has deliberately refrained from requesting a fare increase following a proposal made last year."
The trade emphasised its understanding of the public's perspective, stating: "We greatly value our relationship with the public and recognise their importance to our business; thus, we have chosen to adopt a cautious approach before submitting this proposed tariff update."
The drivers also pointed to wage increases experienced by the public in recent years, arguing that their own earnings haven't kept pace.
Looking ahead, the trade expressed a desire for annual fare reviews, similar to those in Arun District Council, to align with inflation and avoid the need for larger, less frequent increases. They hope this approach will prevent "significant" rises like the current proposal.
The proposed tariffs will now be subject to a two-week public consultation before potentially being implemented.
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