Soaring fuel prices force Chester cabbies to increase fares

Jun 12 2008 by David Norbury, Chester Chronicle

SPIRALLING fuel prices have been hitting the pockets of the city’s cabbies.

Now black cab passengers face price hikes of up to more than 15%.

The increase was agreed by Chester’s general licensing sub committee at a Town Hall meeting on Tuesday (June 10).

Secretary of the Chester Licensed Hackney Association Chris Farrell told the city council the average price of a litre of fuel had risen from 96.9p to 130.9p, a rise of 35%.

Although there have been smaller increases in servicing costs, insurance and the cost of tax discs, association chairman Richard Barker points the finger firmly at soaring fuel bills.

The average increase put forward by the association varies between 12% and 13%, say licensing officers.

Proposals put forward by the cabbies’ association are based on reductions in the distance travelled for each 20p on the meter.

Licensing officers have long argued the fare table is too complex and is not user friendly.

The association believes it has now simplified the fare chart but officials say it “remains complex” despite a meeting between the council, the association and a taxi meter firm.

Regular day time tariffs increase by 12.5% after 10pm and on Sundays and Bank Holidays.

At Christmas and New Year, charges increase by half or double depending on the time.

Charges for trips up to six miles will be among the highest in Cheshire although for longer journeys, the ride will cost less than in Macclesfield and Warrington.

Peter Hartwell, environment director at the Town Hall, said: “There is reason to suspect that running costs associated with hackney carriage vehicles have risen and the request for an increase in fares is not thought to be unreasonable.”