Taxi and Private Hire Fare Increase Proposed in Basingstoke and Deane

The cost of hiring a taxi in Basingstoke and Deane could rise due to increased operating costs for drivers, according to council officials. Proposed fare adjustments, currently under public consultation, aim to bring pricing to a "more standardized unit" to improve clarity and income for drivers.

Proposed Fare Adjustments

The council's Licensing Committee discussed fare changes on November 4. Key adjustments include:

• Flag Rate Increase: Raising the initial fare from £4 to £4.20
• Per Mile Cost: Raising the first mile to £6.20 and each additional mile by £2
• Ten-Mile Rate: Adjusting the cost of a ten-mile journey from £22.20 to £24.20

These changes would shift the pricing unit from 1/12th to 1/10th of a mile to simplify fare calculations.

Current vs. Proposed Fare Structure

Council Regulatory Services Manager, Robert Draper, stated that the current fare calculations based on 1/12th mile units make it "impossible" for passengers to accurately estimate journey costs. The shift to 1/10th mile units is intended to make fares more predictable and to balance driver income without overly burdening passengers.

Public Consultation and Next Steps

The proposals are open to public consultation for 14 days. If no objections are raised, the changes will advance to the council's cabinet for final approval. If objections are received, the Licensing Committee will reassess the proposals before any implementation.

This move impacts both Hackney Carriage and private hire drivers, who are dealing with rising costs amidst a need for fare transparency.