A LONGSTANDING taxi business owner has said the increase in the cost of a taxi will make for "a most miserable Christmas". 

Giles Harries, 58, owns Salisbury Executive Cars and says he's "not interested in money" after Wiltshire Council introduced a 10 percent rise to tariff 1.

The change comes into effect on Thursday, December 1 and it follows a consultation with drivers in the area in which only 32 responses were received from 674 hackney carriage drivers.

Mr Harries said that he did not take part.

Wiltshire Council said the tarrif 1 cost has been increased to help cover the higher price of fuel.

Read more: Wiltshire taxi tariffs to be increased as fuel costs rise

Even though Mr Harries' business will benefit financially from the price increase, he says it's "not the point".

He added: "People will be more likely to walk and everyone is going to be worse off.

"It's the last thing the taxi trade needs."

His main concern is that the price increase will deter customers and "hit those who can least afford it in the pocket hardest".

"It will make for the most miserable Christmas for the people who really need taxis and won’t be able to afford them," added Mr Harries.

See more: Salisbury taxi driver opposes 'selfish' tariff fare increase

Daytime customers will have to pay more once tariff 1 goes up. 

Councillor Mark McClelland, Wiltshire Council cabinet member for transport, said this is so that people can safely make their way home after a night out.

In response to this Mr Harries said: "If they’re looking after the nighttime trade they should be looking after the daytime trade too, not trying to kill it."

A recruitment campaign is being carried out for local taxi firms as Wiltshire Council looks to boost trade.

Cllr McClelland said last week: “It is never an easy decision to increase taxi tariffs and there is no perfect solution to this issue, but we felt that this change was the best compromise to support taxi drivers, while also protecting customers.

“By raising Tariff 1 but keeping all other tariffs as they are, we are able to help drivers and operators to meet the rising fuel costs, while also ensuring that customers – particularly those that take taxis at night – do not have to pay more and can safely make their way home after a night out.

“In our Business Plan we have committed to have vibrant, well-connected communities and growing economies, and we need a public transport network that works for our communities as part of that.”