Salisbury taxi driver opposes 'selfish' tariff fare increase

Wiltshire Council says it has concerns that some taxi drivers in Wiltshire are adding extra charges to fares to help meet rising costs.

To address this, the council proposed to increase the tariff one fare rate, from 6am to 10.30pm, by 10 per cent. This followed a consultation with all hackney carriage licence holders in Wiltshire.

The tariff one day fare rate is currently £2 per mile, if the proposed changes go through, this will be increased to £2.20 per mile.

Giles Harries, 57, has owned Salisbury Executive Cars for eight years and he is the only employee.

Mr Harries strongly opposes the effective 10 per cent pay rise during the day, he said: “It’s so much more than the money, this is about taking advantage of the public at a time when everyone is suffering.

"Costing the people of Salisbury more money at a time of very high inflation is probably not the best thing to do and it doesn’t put the taxi community in a very good light."

Giles Harries describes himself as "a business man who happens to drive a taxi"

Wiltshire Council's consultation got 32 reponses back out of the 670 licensed hackney carriages across the county, a five per cent response rate.

Gary Taylor, owner of All The Sevens, said his drivers are in favour of the change, with some wanting a further increase.

He said: "The average journey in Salisbury is less than three miles. For local trade, prices are going up 60 pence.

"It's basically covering the huge increase in fuel costs and it has been introduced to help drivers with the cost of living."

Concerned his reputation with customers is on the line, Mr Harries said he won't be able to look his customers in the eye if the price to hire his taxi increases.

He added: "I think we’ve never had it so good. I don’t think it’s our place to beg for more."

Hackney carriages can only charge based on the schedule of fares and tariffs published by the council.

However, a hackney carriage can also agree a fare for the journey before it commences. If a fare is not agreed prior to the journey, drivers must charge what is shown by the meter and no more.

Salisbury taxi rank & Cllr Mark McClelland

Councillor Mark McClelland, Wiltshire Council cabinet member for transport, said: "We've had some reports of taxi drivers adding charges to the tariff as a way of meeting rising costs, and it’s important for passengers to understand that they cannot do this.

“However, we do recognise the cost pressures faced by taxi drivers, and that’s why we have recently completed a consultation with drivers on whether to raise the fare rate from 6am to 10.30pm by 10 per cent.

"We’ll know the results of this consultation soon and will take action once we have considered the feedback."

If people have any questions about taxis in Wiltshire, they should contact fleet.licensing@wiltshire.gov.uk, or people can register complaints by clicking here.

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