Proposals to increase ‘black cab’ (hackney carriage) fares have been given the go ahead by Salford City Council.
The request for a 'small increase' came from the Salford Hackney Carriage trade association to reflect the 50 per cent increase in fuel costs since the last fare increase in December 2018 and other cost of living pressures. The new costs will apply from today.
Depending on the time of hire and distance travelled, fares will rise by between 56 pence for a two-mile journey between 5am and 10pm and £3.64 for a two-mile journey at Christmas and New Year. The average national fare for a two-mile, tariff one journey in August 2022 was £6.46 according to a league table published by Private Hire Trade Monthly magazine.
Drivers say most hires are for short journeys on the cheapest tariff and added: “We are very aware that too much of an increase would have a detrimental effect on the trade so we’re seeking this small increase for now, with a view to a further review with a potential increase in 2023.”
Councillor Barbara Bentham, lead member for environment and community safety, said the last fare increase in Salford was in December 2018 when diesel prices were significantly lower at £1.33 per litre.
“We appreciate any increase in costs is unwelcome at present, but taxi drivers are an important part of our national transport system and they too have to make a living. Salford is not alone in raising fares and despite this small increase our fares remain below the national average,” she said.
Salford currently has 117 licensed Hackney Carriage drivers and 92 licensed Hackney Carriage vehicles.
The new fares are as follows:
Tariff one for hirings between 5am and 10pm
Current rate tariff 1
- First 480 yards: £2.60
- 22p per 240 yards or part thereof up to 3 miles
- 22p per 180 yards or part thereof after 3 miles
- Waiting time: 22p per 90 seconds or part thereof
Example journey costs:
- 2 miles: £5.24
- 3 miles: £7.00
- 5 miles: £11.18
- Waiting time: £8.80 per hour
New rate for tariff 1
- First 480 yards: £2.80
- 20p per 200 yards or part thereof up to 3 miles
- 20p per 147 yards or part thereof after 3 miles
- Waiting time: 20p per 60 seconds or part thereof
Example journey costs:
- 2 miles: £5.80
- 3 miles: £7.60
- 5 miles: £12.20
- Waiting time: £12 per hour
Tariff two for hirings between 10pm and 5am and on Bank Holidays
Current rate tariff 2 (night time)
- First 400 yards: £3.50
- 22p per 204 yards or part thereof up to 3 miles
- 22p per 144 yards or part thereof after 3 miles
- Waiting time: 30p per 90 seconds or part thereof
Example journey costs:
- 2 miles: £6.80
- 3 miles: £8.56
- 5 miles: £13.84
- Waiting time: £12 per hour
New rate for tariff 2
- First 480 yards: £3.60
- 20p per 154 yards or part thereof up to 3 miles
- 20p per 113 yards or part thereof after 3 miles
- Waiting time: 20p per 45 seconds or part thereof
Example journey costs:
- 2 miles: £7.40
- 3 miles: £9.80
- 5 miles: £16.03
- Waiting time: £16 per hour
Tariff three: Christmas (7pm 24 December to 5am 27 December) and New Year (7pm 31 December to 5am 2 January)
Current rate tariff 3
- T2+50%
- 2 miles £10.20
- 3 miles £12.84
- 5 miles £20.76
- Waiting time 45p per 90 seconds or part thereof - £18 per hour
New rate for tariff 3
- T1+100%
- 2 miles £11.60
- 3 miles £15.20
- 5 miles £24.40
- Waiting time 40p per 60 seconds or part thereof - £24 per hour
Extras
Current
- For each passenger in excess of one (two children under 10 years to be counted as one passenger for fare purposes only):
10p extra
- Soiling charge: £50
- Drop off and pick up charges at airports and other terminals
New
- For each passenger in excess of one (two children under 10 years to be counted as one passenger for fare purposes only):
20p extra
- Soiling charge: £50
- Drop off and pick up charges at airports and other terminals
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