Taxi fares in Highlands set to increase

TAXI fares in the Highlands look set to increase next month by up to five per cent.

In reviewing the fares for the first time in 18 months, Highland Council said it has taken into account increases in the costs of operating taxis, such as rising diesel, petrol and insurance premiums.

If there are no appeals against the decision to raise taxi fares, taken this week by the council's transport, environmental and community service committee, the increases will take effect from Monday, June 27.

The general effect of the amendments proposed are as follows:

Tariff 1: The cost of the first mile will rise from £3.20 to £3.30 each subsequent mile will rise from £1.30 to £1.40p

Tariff 2: Applies on Good Friday, Easter Monday and May Day and between 10pm and 7am on any day, all day on Saturday and Sunday and when five or more passengers are being carried at any time of day or night. The cost of the first mile will rise from £4.30 to £4.40, each subsequent mile will rise from £1.80 to £1.90.

Tariff 3: Applies on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Day and January 2. It also applies when five or more passengers are being carried between 10pm and 7am, all day on Saturday and Sunday and on Good Friday, Easter Monday and May Day. Tariff 3 may be applied all day on Saturday where there are five or more passengers being carried.

A maximum charge of £60 is payable by an offending passenger, where a vehicle requires to be removed from service for cleaning in order for it to be restored to a usable state and condition.

Councillor John Laing, chairman of the TEC services committee, said the Council exercised a balancing function in setting taxi fares between the expectations of taxi operators to earn a living against the public expectation to be able to hire a taxi of reasonable quality at a reasonable price.

He said: "Operators are entitled to charge any fare, provided it did not exceed the maximum provided for in the tariff."

There had been five objections to the fare rises.