22/01/2017
Cardiff Hackney Carriage Fares Set for Increase
Cardiff's familiar black and white Hackney Carriage taxis are about to become a little more expensive for passengers, following a decision made at a recent council meeting. After a prolonged period without any adjustments, proposals put forward by both the Cardiff Hackney Alliance and Unite have been officially approved by Cardiff Council's cabinet. This marks the first significant fare hike for the city's licensed taxis in more than four years, a move driven by the escalating costs faced by drivers, particularly the soaring price of fuel and the broader increase in the cost of living.
The approved changes will see a number of adjustments to the existing fare structure, with the most noticeable being the initial 'start' tariff. This base fare, which passengers pay upon commencing a journey, will increase from the current £2.50 to £3.50. This adjustment aims to provide a more sustainable operating environment for taxi drivers who have been contending with significantly higher overheads.
Detailed Breakdown of Fare Adjustments
Beyond the initial tariff, several other charges within the Hackney Carriage system are also being revised. The charge for waiting time, a crucial component for longer journeys or periods of congestion, will see an increase. Previously, passengers were charged 20 pence for every 48 seconds of waiting. Under the new structure, this will change to 30 pence for every 30 seconds. This revision reflects the increased cost of keeping the meter running while stationary.
Another alteration concerns the charge for soiling a vehicle. This is a fee applied when a passenger causes damage or significant mess within the taxi, requiring extensive cleaning. The current fee of £50 will be raised to £60. This increase is intended to better cover the costs associated with professional cleaning and potential loss of earnings while a vehicle is out of service for deep cleaning.
The rationale behind these increases was clearly articulated by proponents of the fare hike. Councillor Dan De'Ath, who supported the proposed changes, described the increase as "fair." He highlighted the indispensable role of taxis within Cardiff's public transport network, especially for those without private vehicles. "Taxis are a really important part of Cardiff's transport mix," Cllr De'Ath stated. "If you don't have a car then getting a taxi is an important way of getting around the city. And, with Covid, it has been a really tough time for taxi drivers." This sentiment underscores the financial pressures the trade has faced, particularly in the wake of the pandemic.
Introduction of New Tariffs
A significant development accompanying this fare increase is the introduction of a tiered tariff system. This new structure aims to better reflect the varying demands and operating conditions throughout the week. The proposed tariffs are as follows:
- Tariff One: This will apply to standard daytime travel during weekdays.
- Tariff Two: This will cover weekday evenings and daytime travel on weekends.
- Tariff Three: This is designated for weekday nights, weekend evenings, and public holidays.
Complementing these different tariffs, there will also be an adjustment to the incremental charge per distance. Previously, an increment of 10 pence was charged for every 170 yards travelled. Under the new system, this increment will be doubled to 20 pence, but the distance at which it is applied will vary according to the tariff:
- Tariff One: 20p charged every 170 yards.
- Tariff Two: 20p charged every 150 yards.
- Tariff Three: 20p charged every 130 yards.
This tiered distance-based charge reflects the often higher operating costs during unsociable hours and weekends, such as increased driver wages or potentially higher fuel consumption in heavier traffic.
Council Views and Potential Impact
While the fare increase and the introduction of new tariffs were approved, not all councillors were entirely in agreement with the magnitude of the proposed hikes. Councillor Adrian Robson, the Conservative group leader on the council, acknowledged the necessity of revising fares after a long interval and welcomed the introduction of differentiated tariffs for different times of the day. However, he expressed reservations about the size of some increases.
"Some of them are going up by a third and I think that that is too much, particularly in one go, at this current time," Cllr Robson commented. He raised concerns about the impact on the city's competitiveness when compared to neighbouring authorities. "I look at the wider economy, I look at where that places us with other cities in the table, and particularly what interests me is how that relates to our neighbouring authorities."
His concerns were further elaborated upon with a consideration of Cardiff's current standing in national fare tables. As of March 2022, Cardiff ranked 161st out of 358 British local authorities for a two-mile taxi fare. The approved increase is projected to elevate Cardiff's position significantly, moving it up to approximately 10th place in the same league table. This sharp ascent prompted Cllr Robson to worry about potential unintended consequences.
"I don't want to see a situation where you get... drivers from other local authorities coming ply their trade, be it rightly or wrongly, and a number of us have spent time on the public protection committee and we have seen that. I just worry slightly that it could actually damage our Cardiff taxis in a way that is perhaps unintended," he added. He also posed a pertinent question about how the fares would be adjusted should fuel prices begin to fall.
Balancing Act: Drivers, Customers, and Market Forces
In response to these concerns, Councillor De'Ath reiterated the inherent challenge of balancing the needs of the trade with the affordability for customers. "There is always that tension there between treating the trade fairly and treating customers fairly," he said. He pointed out that in Cardiff, passengers have alternative options such as ride-sharing services like Uber, indicating a competitive market.
"In Cardiff if fares are too high people have other options like Uber and there are lots of players in the market now," Cllr De'Ath explained. "We think proportionately that this is about right." He also addressed the concern about fuel prices, stating, "I can't imagine things changing significantly in terms of petrol prices in the coming months and I think high inflation will unfortunately be with us for quite a while but we can always review things going forwards." This suggests a willingness to revisit the fares in the future if economic conditions change substantially.
Council leader Huw Thomas echoed the sentiment regarding the current economic climate, acknowledging the widespread increase in operating costs, particularly fuel. "I think what we are seeing is councils going through this process even as we speak and all in turn increasing their fares," he observed. "This feels like to me a balanced proposal, not least in response to the time since the last increase as well." This statement frames the decision as a necessary and proportionate response to a challenging economic period and a long overdue adjustment.
Fare Comparison: Before and After
To provide a clearer picture of the changes, here is a simplified comparison of key fare elements:
| Fare Element | Current Fare (Pre-Increase) | New Fare (Post-Increase) |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Tariff | £2.50 | £3.50 |
| Waiting Time | 20p per 48 seconds | 30p per 30 seconds |
| Vehicle Soiling Charge | £50 | £60 |
| Distance Increment (Tariff 1) | 10p per 170 yards | 20p per 170 yards |
| Distance Increment (Tariff 2) | N/A (Standard increment applies) | 20p per 150 yards |
| Distance Increment (Tariff 3) | N/A (Standard increment applies) | 20p per 130 yards |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: When will the new taxi fares in Cardiff come into effect?
While the article details the approval of the fare hikes, the exact implementation date is not specified. Passengers should expect the new fares to be applied soon after the council's approval.
Q2: Why are the taxi fares increasing?
The primary reasons for the increase are the rising costs of fuel and the general increase in the cost of living, which have significantly impacted taxi drivers' operating expenses. This is the first fare increase in over four years.
Q3: How much will a typical taxi journey cost now?
The cost will vary depending on the distance and time of day. The starting tariff has increased from £2.50 to £3.50. New tariffs and distance increments have been introduced for different times and days, so longer journeys, especially during evenings, weekends, and nights, will see a more pronounced increase.
Q4: Are there different fares for different times of the day?
Yes, a new tiered tariff system has been introduced: Tariff One for weekday daytime, Tariff Two for weekday evenings and weekend daytime, and Tariff Three for weekday nights, weekend evenings, and bank holidays. The distance increments also vary by tariff.
Q5: What if I have concerns about the new fares?
Concerns about fare increases are understandable. While the council has approved the changes, they have also acknowledged the need to balance the needs of drivers and passengers. Passengers can express concerns to the council or provide feedback on their experiences with the new fare structure.
Q6: Will this make Cardiff taxis more expensive than in other cities?
Cardiff's taxi fares are currently mid-range nationally. This increase will see Cardiff move up the league table significantly, potentially becoming one of the more expensive cities for taxi travel. This was a point of concern raised by some councillors.
The decision to increase Hackney Carriage taxi fares in Cardiff represents a significant adjustment for both drivers and passengers. Driven by economic pressures and aimed at ensuring the viability of the trade, the changes introduce a more complex tariff structure. While the council has endeavoured to find a balance, the impact on affordability and competitiveness remains a key consideration moving forward.
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