An 8% increase in taxi fares could soon affect North Tyneside, as the North Tyneside Hackney Carriage Association (NTHCA) seeks council approval for the adjustment. If the proposed hike is given the green light, passengers would see the typical cost of a three-mile hackney carriage journey rise to £5.52. These new fares would apply specifically to taxis that are hailed directly or picked up at taxi ranks.
Rising Costs Drive Call for Fare Increase
The North Tyneside Hackney Carriage Association has officially petitioned North Tyneside Council for permission to raise hackney carriage fares by 8%. The association points to increased fuel prices, vehicle maintenance costs, and the broader cost of living struggles as the primary reasons behind the request.
In addition to the standard fare increase, the NTHCA wants a number of related charges to also rise. The fee for handling car thefts could move up to £130 from the current £125, and transporting dogs or other animals (excluding service dogs) may be charged at £4 instead of £3, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
It’s worth noting that these changes are specific to hackney carriages—taxis hailed on the street or found at established ranks. The proposed adjustments would not extend to private-hire cars that are only available by pre-booking.
Community and Council Deliberate Over Proposal
Councillors are considering the fare hike carefully. Labour’s John O’Shea highlighted mounting expenses for taxi operators, stating, “I notice that the taxi trade has had significant uplifts in fuel and insurance and things like that, so they’ve been suffering for a little while.” Nevertheless, O’Shea reminded the council to also keep in mind the financial burdens facing North Tyneside’s broader population during the ongoing cost of living crisis.
Expressing particular concern for the borough’s elderly residents, O’Shea questioned whether an 8% rise truly achieves an equitable solution. He asked the director of public health to consider options for a more “balanced arrangement, not the 8% that has been suggested.”
Next Steps: Consultation and Feedback
The fare hike remains a proposal. Should the director of public health decide to progress with the suggested increases, the intended changes will be published for public scrutiny for at least 14 days. Residents and interested parties will have an opportunity during that window to submit their objections, which will be reviewed before any final decision is made by the council.
The situation underscores the challenge of supporting taxi drivers facing increased expenses while also addressing the realities confronted by passengers, particularly those most affected by changes in daily costs.
Officials have not yet reached a final verdict, as they seek to balance the operational needs of the taxi trade with the economic concerns of North Tyneside’s wider community.