Hackney carriage fare limits introduced for first time in South Oxfordshire
Hackney carriages operating in South Oxfordshire will have a maximum fare they can charge passengers.
Councillors approved the measure to help ensure passengers, especially those who rely on taxis to travel around such as those on low income or with disabilities, were not priced out of using taxis as the cost of living continues to rise.
At the same time, it is hoped the fares agreed will allow taxi drivers to continue to run viable businesses, recognising their overheads are also rising.
The revised fares were agreed at the Cabinet meeting on Thursday 29 September.
Councillor Maggie Filipova-Rivers, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Community Wellbeing, said: “We needed to protect those who rely on taxis most such as those with disabilities or on low income so that they were not left isolated and unable to travel due to high fares.
“We’ve tried to ensure we balance this with the needs of taxi drivers so their businesses remain viable.
“We were one of only six councils in the country who didn’t set a tariff so introducing them now brings us in line with other authorities – the tariff will be the 16th highest in the country.”
It follows a consultation with hackney carriage licence holders that was launched from 29 June to 3 August.
The fares only apply to hackney carriages as passengers are able to shop around with private hire vehicles to get the best deal, which is harder to do when at a taxi rank or hailing a cab. The fares only apply for journeys within the South Oxfordshire area.
The new maximum fare for a two-mile journey on Tariff 1 will be £8.10, rising to £11.25 for Tariff 3 (applicable from 2am to 5.59am on weekdays and all day Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day).
Among the changes was also introducing a new £1.50 charge for additional passengers in vehicles which can carry more than four persons.
The council agreed it was open to reviewing the fares as the cost of living increases.
