Slight changes to North Ayrshire taxi tariff proposed

North Ayrshire Council have proposed a new taxi tariff fare structure after undertaking its statutory taxi fare review, a critical exercise mandated by the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982.

The Licensing Committee initiated the review process on 10 April 2024,

aiming to balance taxi operational costs with public affordability.

The review ensures that the maximum taxi fares reflect current economic conditions and operational costs. It involves several stages, from initial consultations with taxi operators to public advertisements and fare fixing.

The proposed tariffs are now open for public consideration:

Tariff One: £3.50 for the first three-quarters-of-a-mile, followed by £2.30 per mile (charged in 10p increments). Waiting time is £3.50 for up to 10 minutes, and 10p for every additional 20 seconds.

Tariff Two: £4 for the first three-quarters-of-a-mile, then £3 per mile (charged in 10p increments). Waiting time is £4 for up to 10 minutes, with 10p for every additional 20 seconds. This tariff applies for journeys starting or ending between midnight and 7am, on Sundays, or during specific public holidays, including Good Friday, early May Bank Holiday, Spring Bank Holiday, Summer Bank Holiday, and St Andrew’s Day. If a Bank Holiday falls on a weekend, the following Monday is treated as the Bank Holiday.

Both Tariff One and Tariff Two remain unchanged from the previous review.

Tariff Three (Festive Period): For journeys starting or ending from December 25 to December 26, 7am, and from January 1 to January 2, 7am, fares will be double those of Tariff One. This represents a change, with the increased charges now extending to December 26 and January 2, rather than just covering Christmas and New Year's Day. Boundary charges apply.

A trade consultation held on 16 May 2024 revealed mixed sentiments among taxi operators. Some operators expressed a preference against fare increases, citing concerns over potential negative impacts on customer demand. Others supported modest fare increases aligned with inflation, acknowledging the rising costs of vehicle maintenance and insurance.

The Council has agreed to the draft proposals and instructed the Chief Executive to give notice of these drafts. The review will continue, with further committee meetings scheduled at least a month after public notice is issued in the media.

This review process is seen as essential to keep fares fair and transparent, ensuring that taxi services remain accessible and viable in North Ayrshire. Residents and stakeholders are encouraged to participate in the consultation process to make their views known.