Liverpool City Council has announced its agreement to increase hackney tariffs after a four-year freeze.
Lower than Average
The decision comes after a request made by taxi trade union, Unite, was received arguing that Liverpool hackney taxi fares were, on average, lower than other major UK cities. It was also suggested that if left this would worsen in years to come.
Councillor, Steve Munby, said: “Experience has shown that if you keep the fares down too long you end up with having to impose a very big increase. In the 1980s the fares were frozen for six years but this was followed by a rise of nearly 30%.”
The Changes
Passengers can expect a 9% increase, across both daytime and evening tariffs, for the first 330 yards.
The majority of local hackney drivers are delighted with the news but, of course, there are some differences in opinions particularly with members of the public who feel the increase is just too much of a hike.
Councillor Munby added: “We’ve got a responsibility to be fair to both the taxi trade and to passengers. Nobody likes price increases but this is the first rise in four years and it has been kept as low as possible.”
Fair Play
Any opposition to the proposal was deliberated but given that there hasn’t been an increase for such a long time it was decided that the change should be implemented with immediate effect.
Councillor Munby concluded: “There were objections from some taxi drivers and passengers and these were carefully considered but, on balance, it has been decided that an increase in fares at this time is justified.”