Argyll and Bute Taxi Fare Consultation Reveals Mixed Operator Feedback

The council of Argyll and Bute is currently reviewing whether to increase the maximum taxi fares in the area. A recent consultation revealed that a low response rate from local taxi operators has led to a challenging decision-making process. With fewer than 10% of operators responding, the council now faces the task of determining whether fare increases are justified or if the current rates should remain unchanged.

Consultation Response Rate

The consultation, held between October 24 and December 2, was an effort by the Argyll and Bute council to gather feedback from taxi operators regarding potential fare increases. However, only eight out of 101 operators across the region provided feedback. Of those responses, seven operators requested an increase to the highest possible fare tariff, while only one operator opposed any increase. The low response rate has led the council to question whether it reflects the broader opinion of all taxi operators in the area.

Details of Current Taxi Fares

At present, there are three main fare tariffs in Argyll and Bute:

• Tariff 1 (7am–10pm): The fare starts at £3.45 for the first 860 yards, with an additional 23p per 176 yards.
• Tariff 2 (10pm–7am): The fare starts at £4.14 for the first 860 yards, with an additional 23p per 150 yards.
• Tariff 3 (Public Holidays): The fare starts at a significantly higher rate of £483 for the first 860 yards, with 23p per 120 yards added.

These current fare structures are now up for review, as the council seeks to evaluate whether fare increases are necessary in response to the requests made by taxi operators.

Operators’ Feedback

The responses from taxi operators varied based on geographic areas. The feedback was as follows:

• Lorn Area: One operator suggested a 10% increase in the starting tariffs.
• Cowal Area: Two operators supported a 10% increase in the initial charge, along with a 17% increase for subsequent charges.
• Lomond Area: Three responses came from this area, with two suggesting an increase, and one requesting no changes.
• Bute Area: One operator supported raising Tariff 1 to £4, while another operator did not specify a preference for any fare increase.
• Mid Argyll and Kintyre Areas: No responses were received from these areas.

Next Steps for the Council

Following the feedback, Douglas Hendry, the executive director of the council, stated that the members must now review the fare structure and decide whether to accept the majority opinion, which favors a fare increase. The council members are also expected to propose specific new fare scales and determine a date for the proposed changes to take effect. A key suggestion from the council is to implement the new fares by April 22, 2025.

It’s also possible that the council may decide to maintain the current fare structure, which was last reviewed on June 21, 2023. This structure came into effect in October 2023, and the council could reaffirm it if they believe it still meets the needs of the region.

Previous Reviews of Taxi Fares

The council has conducted several reviews of the taxi fares in recent years. A previous review in 2021/2022 resulted in a 15% increase in fares, which took effect from April 2022. These periodic reviews are part of the council’s ongoing effort to ensure that fare rates are appropriate, both for taxi operators and passengers. The current review is being held to assess if another increase is necessary, given the feedback provided by operators.