Stirling councillors have approved an 11.7 per cent increase in taxi fares, a rise more than three times the rate of inflation, despite strong public opposition and criticism from committee members.
The decision was made at a special meeting of the Stirling Council Planning and Regulation Panel on Monday, where proposals to raise the costs were debated.
New tariff structure agreed
The report proposed an overall 11.7 per cent increase in fares, with no change to the waiting time charge. Flag drop fares for tariffs one to three were suggested to rise by the same percentage.
The Tariff One flag drop will increase from £3.50 to £3.90, Tariff Two from £4.10 to £4.60, and Tariff Three from £5.60 to £6.20. Tariff Two will no longer apply during the festive period.
A new Tariff Four will cover the period from 6pm on December 24 until 6am on December 26 and 6pm on December 31 until 6am on January 2. Its flag drop is set at £6.20 with a distance increment of 46.8 yards.
A new Tariff Five will cover the festive period for five or more passengers from 6pm on December 4 until 6am on December 26 and 6pm on December 31 until 6am on January 2. The proposed flag drop is £10 with a distance increment of 28.2 yards.
Distance increments revised
Distance increments for Tariffs One to Three will also change. Tariff One's increment is reduced from 83.5 yards to 74.8 yards, charged at 10 pence. Tariff Two's increment is reduced from 52.2 yards to 59.8 yards, charged at 10 pence. Tariff Three's increment is reduced from 52.2 yards to 46.7 yards, charged at 10 pence.
In total, 323 responses were received, with 216 from members of the public and 107 from trade members. Public responses generally indicated disagreement with the proposal, though some acknowledged the challenges the trade faces with increased costs and the need to maintain financial viability.
Several respondents said the 11.7 per cent increase is too high compared with current inflation and the economic climate. Concerns around equality and accessibility featured prominently, particularly regarding older residents, disabled people, low-income households, those in rural areas, and individuals without access to private vehicles. Views on the new festive tariffs were mixed.
Mixed views from councillors
Tory Cllr Rachel Nunn said: "This is a fair old chunk which is well above inflation and the kind of pay increases people have to take taxis may well be getting."
Cllr Alasdair MacPherson said: "There is a real balance to be struck – 11 per cent is a lot, I hear all the time the industry is on its knees. The cap got lifted which has destroyed the industry locally, there are too many drivers that is the bottom line."
He added: "With the national insurance contributions living wage increase, the price of fuel, tyres and servicing. This business is not sustainable in Stirling any more- you speak to the drivers, a lot of them are going out of business. I am reluctantly going to have to agree to this, but you feel sorry for the drivers, working 80 or 90 hours a week and hardly making a living."
Cllr Gerry McLaughlan said: "If you take the driver's salaries out and compare the increase in costs, then the increase is 11.2 per cent rather than 11.7 per cent so I think it is reasonable."
The increases were agreed by the committee.
