THE OWNER of an Evesham taxi firm has said he will decide in the next week whether to make an objection to plans which would increase journey fares.
Taxi prices are set to be on the rise after Wychavon District Council’s licensing committee approved proposals from Evesham Taxi Owners Association to hike the prices at a meeting on Wednesday (January 28).
However, there is a 14-day consultation period on the changes, which would see a minimum increase of 20p per journey, and if any objections are received the application will go back before the committee.
And Anthony Rock, owner of Emerald Taxi’s who previously said the changes were ‘not worth it’, told The Observer he would think about whether to put forward his quibbles.
“We all need the extra income but I would like to see it come across to cover the whole running mile, not just the first stages of it.” he said.
“It is a lot of change for not enough really and I don’t think it warrants a change.
“20 pence here and 30 pence there just is not going to make that much of a difference for us to keep up with the rising costs.”
Current charges for the first 1,240 metres of a journey, or four minutes eight seconds, are £3.40 but under the proposals, the price would remain but only for the first 1,000 metres.
The tariff for between midnight and 7am, Sunday’s, between 6am and midnight on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve and official bank holidays will cost £4.50 for the first 1,000 metres while hiring any time on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New
Year’s Day will be £6 for the same distance.
For each subsequent 200 metres or 40 seconds prices will remain at 20p, 30p or 40p depending on the tariff.
And despite Keith Holloway, chairman of the Evesham Taxi Owners Association, saying he was ‘very pleased’ they have gone through, he added further changes need to be made to combat living costs.
“I would like to see the fare’s go up every year with inflation. It would be an annual thing and would be a better idea to put in place.” he said.
If no objections are received, the changes will be put in place from March 1.
