Agenda and minutes

None.

Mr Sajad,and Mr Saleem, members of Worcester Taxi Forum, addressed the Committee. They cited current high fuel prices and the increase in the cost of living as reasons why an increase in taxi fares was necessary.

They argued that their members were reasonable and fair in their dealings with customers, e.g. in not charging extra for shopping etc, and that the current proposed increase was reasonable, taking both trade and customers into account.

Of the meeting held on 7^th March 2022 to be approved and signed.

Approval of the minutes of the meeting held on 7 March was carried over to the next meeting to be held on 13 June 2022.

For Committee to:

1     Note the submission of a formal request from Worcester City Taxi Trade members and Worcester City taxi drivers to review the Council’s hackney carriage fare tariff, as set out within this report. 

2     Determine from the information presented within this report, a preferred option and instruct officers to progress the statutory process for consultation on the preferred option.

3     Delegate authority to the Corporate Director Operations, Homes & Communities in consultation with Chair & Vice Chair to consider any feedback from the consultation process on the preferred option and implement a revised fare tariff.

The Committee considered the proposed Hackney Carriage fare tariff changes.

An initial proposal for a 55% increase was referred back to the Taxi Drivers’ Association in February, and a final proposal from the Association for an increase ranging from 20-22%, depending on distance, was brought before Committee as ‘Proposal One’.

‘Proposal Two’ had been received from the Proprietor or Cathedral/Central Taxis in Worcester, suggesting an increase ranging from 43-54%, depending on distance.

The Committee were asked to consider both proposals. Committee Members noted that the Council’s position in the local league table of taxi fares was bound to change over the coming months as other Local Authorities reviewed their tariffs.

In reaching a decision, the Committee were mindful to balance the requirements of drivers with those of regular taxi users, which included some of the most vulnerable members of the community.

Officers acknowledged that the current approach to reviewing fares was reactive upon receiving proposals from the Association, in common with most other Local Authorities. Officers were considering moving to an annual tariff review to be brought before Committee each October. Committee Members suggested that additional benchmarking data would be helpful in informing future decision-making.

Committee members were aware that inflation over the 5 years since the previous increase totalled approximately 14%, and therefore Proposal One for a 20% increase was considered to be a realistic proposal, taking into account the needs of drivers and public.

Committee members voiced their support for Proposal One and recognised the need for a thriving taxi trade in the City. Drivers were asked to continue to use their discretion to assist the more vulnerable members of the community.

RESOLVED: That Committee:

1        Notes the submission of a formal request from Worcester City           Taxi Trade members and Worcester City taxi drivers, to           review the Council’s hackney carriage fare tariff as set out           within the report. 

2        Has determined and agreed from the information presented           within the   report to instruct officers  to  progress the           statutory process for consultation on Option 1.

3        Delegates authority to the Corporate Director Operations,           Homes & Communities in consultation with Chair & Vice Chair           to consider any feedback from the consultation process on           Option 1 and implement a revised fare tariff.

Which in the opinion of the Chair is of sufficient urgency as to warrant consideration.

None.