Taxi fares in Cardiff could increase if a proposal by Dragon Taxis gets the go-ahead.
The proposed changes in the cost to travel in a Hackney Carriage Taxi will be discussed by Cabinet at their meeting on December 14th.
If agreed the cost on the meter when a customer gets into a taxi will increase from £2.30 to £2.50 with a 10 pence increase per mile - raising the rate from £1.70 a mile to £1.80.
In September 2009, the Council approved a Hackney Carriage Fare Index which calculates the costs associated with being a taxi driver with the money that they receive in fares. The last increase in the costs of fares took place in December 2015.
Since then, calculations show that running costs of a vehicle have increased significantly. Insurance costs have increased by 22%, vehicle parts have increased by 40%, the cost of diesel has increased by 12% and the cost of petrol has increased by 15%. The only cost that has reduced is the cost of the license fees to the Council, which has fallen by 5%.
Based on a two-mile journey, Cardiff currently lies 220thin a league table of the most expensive place to get a taxi in the UK out of 370 counties, cities or airports.
If the fare increase is approved, Cardiff would move up the league table by approximately 100 places. Catching a taxi in Cardiff would then cost the same amount as getting a taxi in 27 other areas including Carmarthenshire, Aberdeenshire, Canterbury, Ipswich and Scarborough.
Under the proposed new prices, a three mile journey would increase a fare by 6.7% during the day and 6% in the evening. The cost of this fare would increase from £7.30 to £7.80 in the day and £8.30 to £8.80 in the night.
If the Cabinet approve the increase in fares, the variation in the tariff will have to be advertised for 14 days to give the opportunity for people to object. If no objections are received, it is anticipated that the new fares could start as early as January 8th2018.