Report said the increase in fares is being driven by the rise in operating costs over the last two years
Taxi fares in Knowsley are set to increase(Image: REACH PLC)
People can expect to pay more to get around in black cabs in one part of Merseyside as a request to increase maximum tariffs is set to be approved tomorrow (Thursday July 31).
The proposal for Knowsley has the full backing of Unite Taxi Branch, Mr A Carr of the Liverpool City Region Hackney Carriage Drivers Co-operative and All Black Cabs. A Licensing Committee meeting in September 2023 approved the last hackney carriage fare increase which sought to bring Knowsley’s hackney carriage fares more in line with those charged in Liverpool.
According to a Knowsley Council report to be presented at tomorrow’s Licensing Committee, the fare increases are being driven by a rise in operating costs incurred over the last two years. In terms of private hire fares, it should be noted that private hire operators set their own fares and are entitled by law to alter their fares at any time, without the council’s authorisation.
Knowsley Council is responsible for setting the maximum hackney carriage fares a driver can charge. The increase request also includes the introduction of a new Friday and Saturday evening tariff with the intention of incentivising drivers to stay out later to help reduce the risk of public disorder.
The council report includes a breakdown of maximum tariff charges suggested for 2025 and beyond and are calculated using both time spent in the taxi and the distance covered. The guidance in maximum charges states that if a journey is to extend more than four miles beyond the borough boundary, the driver must – before the start of the journey – agree a rate of hire or an agreed amount.
The tariff sheet that is displayed in a hackney carriage shows the customer what they can expect to be charged at any given time. It also displays any extra charges that may be applicable to the journey such as a fouling charge, a tunnel toll charge, or any other additional charges.
Full Breakdown Hackney Carriage Tariff Maximum Charges
TARIFF 1 – 0600 hours to 2100 hours every day unless shown below:
£3.30 for the first 300 yards (or part thereof), 20p for each succeeding 165 yards (or part thereof) and 20p for each 50 seconds waiting charge (or part thereof).
TARIFF 2 – 2100 Hours To 0600 Hours and All Public Holidays Except Christmas and New Year:
£4.15 for the first 300 yards (or part thereof), then 25p for each succeeding 165 yards (or part thereof) and 20p for each 50 seconds waiting charge (or part thereof).
TARIFF 3 – Christmas And New Year Holidays:
(From 1800 hours Christmas Eve, all of Christmas Day, all of Boxing Day and until 0600 hours on 27th December and again from 1800 hours on New Year’s Eve, all of New Year’s Day and until 0600 hours on 2nd January)
£4.80 for the first 330 yards or less, then 30p for each succeeding 190 yards (or less) up to 40,480 yards, 30p for each succeeding 300 yards (or less) and 30p for each 50 seconds waiting charge (or less).
Permitted Extra Charges
(i) 50p as a single discretionary charge for all journeys where more than four passengers are carried in the vehicle(ii) £40.00 Fouling Charge(iii) All Tolls to and from the requested destination (including Tunnel, Motorway, Bridge and Airport tolls)