Purpose

To review the Taxi Table of Fares (Taxi Tariff) following a request from the Taxi trade to increase the fare tariff.

Decision

That the proposed amendments to the Hackney Carriage Tariff as set out in the submitted report be approved and the Director of Adults and Community Services be instructed to carry out the public consultation as set out in the prescribed process under Section 65 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976.

Reasons for the decision

The Tariff was last increased in October 2024.  The Table of Fares (Tariff) should be set to enable sustainable income for drivers, future investment in vehicles and to clearly set rates that minimise the opportunity for overcharging or confusion.

Alternative options considered

The alternative options were to further amend the proposed revised tariffs or reject the proposed revised tariffs.  These options were discounted as the proposed uplift would assist those taxi drivers licensed through the Council to face the rise in fuel costs and other cost of living rises and support Torbay’s taxi trade to make a viable living, therefore reducing the number of drivers leaving the trade for better remunerated work and encouraging consideration of investment in newer environmentally friendly vehicles.