West Lothian taxi drivers could be set for a taxi fare increase as fares charged are under consultation in a bid to help taxi drivers during the cost of living crisis.
Following statutory consultation with the local taxi and private hire industry, council has proposed to increase the current fares and charges for journeys in West Lothian.
It has been eight years since the maximum that drivers can charge passengers increased.
It has been proposed that the ‘flag drop’, or minimum fare charged for hailing a taxi, will be increased from £2.60 to £3 on fare one and from £3 to £3.40 on fare two.
Significant increases are also proposed for the distance traveled. Passengers were charged 20p per 225m but this is fixed at every 176m.
There are also other changes affecting the price when traveling on Christmas Day or New Years, as well as slight cost increases for additional passengers.
Full details of the proposed changes can be viewed at www.westlothian.gov.uk/taxi-and-private-hire-cars.
A West Lothian Council spokesperson said: ‘We would encourage anyone wishing to comment on the proposed new maximum fares for taxis and metered private hire cars to let us know as soon as possible.
Taxi drivers in neighboring East Lothian have missed out on a vital fare increase after a shocked council did not receive a fare consultation response from the trade.
Taxi drivers in the area are now facing a third year of frozen fares after the 70 taxi operators contacted directly by the council failed to respond.
East Lothian Council’s Licensing Sub-Committee has had no choice but to keep the fares static despite the incredible rise in the cost of fuel and living over the past 12 months.
