A proposed increase in taxi fares in the Fenland district has sparked a debate among local cab drivers. While some support the move, others fear it could cripple the already struggling hackney carriage trade.

Fenland District Council is considering revising its table of fares for the first time since 2022.

Under the proposals, Tariff One (7am - 11pm Mon to Sat) would be reduced to between 7am and 8pm, with the more expensive Tariff Two in place between 8pm and 7am and on Sundays.

At present people whose journeys are under one mile or one mile and 1,609 metres (the best part of a mile) on Tariff 1) pay a fare of £4.00 - with an extra 20p for every 1/11th of a mile - a total of £2.20 a mile.

Under the new proposals, they would pay £4.20 for journeys of under a mile and 33p for each 10th of a mile after that (£3.30 a mile).

Tariff 2 currently stands at £6.00 for journeys of under a mile or between a mile and the next 1,609 metres (about a mile). They also pay 30p for 'each subsequent '146.2m (1/11mile) or part thereof' (£3.30 a mile).

Under the proposed new tariffs, they would pay £6.20. And 44p for a 10th of every extra mile (£4.40 per mile).

One driver expressed concerns that the higher fares could deter customers, especially those on fixed incomes: "A four-mile trip for an OAP to go shopping is going to cost them £14+. I think it is crazy I'm not out to rob people.

"When my taxi licence runs out in December, I am not going to renew it."

Another driver echoed these sentiments, stating: "Putting the prices up to the proposed rates would kill the trade. Business is hard enough without losing the regular customers we already have.

"It certainly would not encourage new drivers and the public already complain about the lack of taxis. The problem isn't the fares it is that people looking into getting into the trade cannot afford it and the number of hoops they have to jump though are unrealistic to the job."

However, some drivers believe the fare increase is necessary to offset rising costs and improve their livelihoods.

One driver in favour of the changes noted: "If the council can implement it to relieve stress from the drivers, I support this proposal."

Another added: "I do think that this would've been a good opportunity to add a fair 6/8seater tariff, as that does need to be looked at."

The council's decision on the proposed fare hike will be made at a cabinet meeting on Friday, 15 November.

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Ride-hailing giant Uber has been given the green light to operate in the borough of Blackburn with Darwen.

The decision has sparked concerns among local taxi and private hire drivers who fear it could significantly impact their business.

Earlier this year, drivers expressed worry about out-of-town Uber drivers undercutting their prices and operating ‘on their patch’.

Additionally, hundreds of drivers based in the borough but licensed by Wolverhampton Council, many of whom work for Uber, have been operating in the Blackburn with Darwen area, further adding to the competition.

Despite these concerns, Blackburn with Darwen Council has granted Uber a five-year operating licence, effective from 12 November.

Martin Eden, Strategic Director of Environment and Communities at the council, confirmed the approval, stating that the application was fully considered before the decision was made.

Local taxi drivers have voiced their fears, suggesting that the move could lead to the closure of smaller firms and potential issues for passengers, such as higher charges for short journeys or difficulties accommodating guide dogs.

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A former school bus driver, with a 42-year-old conviction for assault causing actual bodily harm, has been granted a taxi licence by Gwynedd Council's general licensing sub-committee. 

The applicant, who was 18 at the time of the offence, had since been employed as a school bus driver for ten years, a role requiring trust and responsibility.

During his application for a taxi/hackney private hire driver's licence, the representative for the applicant known only as Mr "A" challenged the council's licensing process. 

He had asked why a hearing had had to be held, and queried why the council's environment department did not have "delegated powers to approve the application" thus bypassing the need for a sub-committee, suggesting that it had meant "unnecessary costs to the taxpayer."

The applicant had been unemployed while waiting for a hearing and it was felt that the process was "unsuitable".

Responding, the council's licensing manager noted that the Gwynedd Delegated Rights Scheme had "arrangements in place" whereby an application with any offence appearing on the applicants' DBS would be presented to a sub-committee for a decision.

It was "in accordance with the council's constitution" that neither she nor the head of the environment department had the power to make a decision be that due to a historical conviction or otherwise". However, the procedure and process were being reviewed with discussions taking place with the legal department to consider cases where a decision could be delegated.

Any amendment to the Constitution would be presented to the Licensing Committee and to the Full Council.

Despite the past conviction, the sub-committee granted the application and determined that the applicant was "a fit and proper person" to hold a 12-month hackney and private hire vehicle driver's licence.

In addition to the former school bus driver, two other men, both former soldiers, with convictions for violent crimes in the past were also granted licences by the sub committee.

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Over half of the taxi and private hire drivers stopped during a recent enforcement operation in South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse were found to be breaching their licence conditions.

The joint operation by the local authorities and Thames Valley Police took place on Saturday, September 28.

Thirty-four vehicles were stopped and inspected to ensure compliance with licence conditions and check roadworthiness.

A total of 18 of these were registered with South Oxfordshire District Council, 13 with Vale of White Horse District Council and three with Oxford City Council.

Of those, 19 were non-compliant with issues such as drivers not wearing their badge, roof signs not connected and fare charts not displayed.

A total of 156 penalty points were issued to drivers on their council-issued licences as a result.

Some of the licences will now be reviewed due to an excessive number of points accumulated.

Police also took action against five vehicles and issued fixed penalty notices.

Georgina Heritage, Cabinet Member for Communities at South Oxfordshire District Council, emphasised the importance of taxi safety, stating: “Passengers deserve to be able to ride in safe, comfortable and properly insured vehicles.”

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Uber could be coming to Plymouth – but it will be up to the Plymouth City Council’s taxi licensing committee to decide if they will or not. 

The company has applied to the council to operate services in the city, together with Smartzi, another app-based ride service. 

A taxi licensing committee will meet on Thursday 21 November to decide whether to issue a private hire vehicle operators’ licence to both operators. The decision will have to made based on the council’s taxi licensing policy and if they meet it. 

Papers have been published which set out what the committee is being asked to consider and that is whether the directors of both companies are considered a fit and proper person to be granted a private hire vehicle operator’s licence, and  

• if the licence is granted, the appropriate length of time the licence should be granted for, up to five years and 

• whether any conditions should be imposed on the licence. 

Earlier this year Uber Britannia Limited applied for a private hire vehicle operator licence for five years, with the intention of having 160 vehicles licenced per year. 

The report says: “Officers recognise that if this application is granted it will potentially affect other private hire operators in the city – the committee is reminded that this is not a factor to be considered when deciding the application.” 

Councillor Sally Haydon, Cabinet Member for Community Safety said: “We all know that people who enjoy our great night life here in Plymouth repeatedly struggle to get home and this has been going on for the last few years. Something has to change if our clubs, bars and venues are to survive in the long term.   

“We are also acutely aware that a decision to grant a private hire licence to these companies could have consequences for our existing trade, but the committee has to take a decision based on very clear legal guidelines. 

“This will be a very interesting debate.” 

The council will not grant a private hire operator’s licence to any person for an address or base of operations outside the city area, but Uber Britannia now have a Plymouth office where they will have a base of operations. 

The staff will be able to access and print records from this office if required and there is a 24-hour compliance team available which can access digital records at any time located outside of Plymouth.   

The council may apply any additional conditions it thinks appropriate on the operator licence, if it is granted. 

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