16/10/2024
Taxi fares to be set for Helensburgh - and Argyll & Bute - as 'poor response' slammed
Taxi fares to be set for Helensburgh and Argyll and Bute
26th June 2023
Local government
Transport
By Andy Galloway
Local Democracy Reporter
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The next taxi fare scale for Argyll and Bute will come into force in October (Image: Newsquest)
The next taxi fare scale for Argyll and Bute will come into force in October (Image: Newsquest)
MAXIMUM taxi fares are set to remain the same in Helensburgh and across Argyll and Bute after the idea of an increase attracted little or no support from operators and the public.
A report reveals that only three taxi operators in Helensburgh and Lomond responded to a council consultation on the issue - and none of them backed an increase.
Across Argyll and Bute the vast majority of operators also said there should be no increase in fares - though one councillor remarked that the consultation had a “very poor” response.
The outcome of the latest taxi fare scale review across Argyll and Bute was reported to a meeting of councillors last week, with fare scales set to be implemented by late October.
The current maximum starting tariffs are £3.45 between 7am and 10pm, £4.14 between 10pm and 7am, and £4.83 on public holidays, with increases of 23p every 176 yards, 150 yards and 125 yards respectively.
The issue was considered by Argyll and Bute Council's planning, protective services and licensing committee on Wednesday, June 21.
Executive director Douglas Hendry said in a report to the committee: “On April 20 a letter was issued to all taxi operators requesting their views on taxi fares by May 29.
“A questionnaire was also issued at the same time to try and engage with taxi operators on how the licensing section are performing.
“Members also requested at their meeting on April 19 that the consultation be opened up to members of the public in order to seek their views on taxi fares.
"Only one member of the public replied supporting no increase as the existing fares are unaffordable as they are.”
The vast majority of responses came from Lorn, where six operators out of nine who answered said they supported no increase.
Only two operators in Mid Argyll responded, with only one backing any increase.
Two of the three operators on Bute who responded to the consultation backed an increase to round off fares to the nearest 5p.
The three respondents from the Lomond area all said there should be no increase - while there was no response at all from any operator in Cowal.
Mid Argyll SNP Councillor Jan Brown said: “I feel that as it was a very poor response, I would be happy to leave the fares as they are. Most people who did respond wanted fares left as they were anyway.”
Her party colleague, Dunoon Councillor Audrey Forrest, added: “I think that given the current situation that people find themselves in financially, it would be a good idea to keep prices as they are.
“A lot of people rely on taxis for shopping and other activities, so it would be better to leave them as they stand.”
The proposal to freeze fares at their current rates was also backed by councillors Liz McCabe (Independent, Isle of Bute) and Daniel Hampsey (Conservative, Dunoon).
Isle of Bute independent councillor Liz McCabe, and Dunoon Conservative Councillor Daniel Hampsey, also supported no increase.
The proposal will now be advertised, and responses invited before the committee next meets on Wednesday, August 23.
