Taxi drivers in the north of Scotland believe that councils are endangering their livelihoods by over-charging for their licences and failing to cap the number of cabs on the streets.
Drivers’ Livelihoods Endangered by Costs
Official figures suggest that fees for taxi licenses in the Highlands can be more than double the equivalent charges in neighbouring areas. A taxi driver’s licence in Aberdeenshire and City of Aberdeen costs £88 and £105 respectively whereas it costs £272 for a driver in Dingwall. This amount does not include additional expenditure to put a taxi on the road including external plates, identification badge, vehicle inspection and meter tests.
Excessive Number of Licences
There are also concerns over a sharp increase in taxi licences in some parts of the Highlands. The Chairman of the Inverness Taxi Alliance, Andrew MacDonald, claimed that taxi numbers increased from 300 in 2010 to 450 today. He noted: “Our livelihoods are being swept away from under our feet. The council is blatantly ignoring the situation, they refuse to cap licences because they would need an unmet demand survey.” Mr MacDonald also addressed the issue of increased tariffs, believing that the trade and public are being unnecessarily penalised.
Official figures suggest that fees for taxi licenses in the Highlands can be more than double the equivalent charges in neighbouring areas.
Consistency & Transparency Needed
A spokesman for Highland Council defended the fee structure is designed to take account of all costs of administering and enforcing the taxi and PHC licensing system. They also noted that there had not been a rise in tariffs for several years and that they were previously among the lowest in Scotland.
This situation demonstrates the need to have more consistency and transparency on fees nationwide and sensible calculations for licence numbers in each region.