Proposals to increase black cab taxi fares in Birmingham to go to public consultation

Proposals which would allow black cab drivers in Birmingham to increase their fares are set to go to public consultation. The National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) has asked the city council to support drivers amid pressures caused by the cost-of-living crisis and the declining numbers of hackney carriages in Brum.

In particular, it has requested that ‘maximum chargeable fares’ paid by passengers be increased. Coun Majid Mahmood, cabinet member for transport, told a meeting on Tuesday: “We, as a council, have the power to set these fares.

“We must strike a balance between setting a fare that both taxi drivers and customers find acceptable. The last tariff was changed two years ago following a decade of no change, which was having an impact on drivers with increased cost of fuel, inflation, vehicle maintenance, insurance and the overall cost-of-living.”

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A report, published before yesterday's meeting, recommended cabinet members approve the union’s proposal as the preferred tariff for a public consultation.

If the union’s proposals are given the green light, it would mean:

• The first mile charge could rise from £5.40 to £5.60.

• The mileage charge could increase from £1.92 to £2.04.

• Waiting time charges could rise to £1.78 per hour - this equates to a percentage increase of 10.5 per cent.

• Adjustment of the fare time so days start at 7am rather than 4am. Tariff two, which has higher mileage charges compared to tariff one, would apply from 10pm to 7am.

• The initial charge would remain at £3.20.

• Removal of extra charges for bank holidays.

Coun Mahmood said another proposal was put forward by an ‘individual’, adding that since the report was published, council officers received a petition signed by more than 250 hackney carriage drivers “effectively in support” of the proposal. It included requests for the initial charge to be increased from £3.20 to £3.60; a change to the mileage charge and an adjustment of the fare time so nights started at 8pm.

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“However, officers have not had the chance to assist its validity,” Coun Mahmood said. “Given the final version of [this proposal] was only produced recently, any petition will need to have references.

“With previous fare rises, we have agreed the recommended option and the trade generally accepts this as a reasonable compromise - obviously that may not be the case this time. But the consultation period stands and objections can be made.”

Coun Mahmood said council officers had agreed to meet representatives of the petition to discuss the union’s proposals. “It’s important as a council we listen to the trade and customers,” he said.

“Officers have assessed both proposals and are recommending [the union’s proposal] is approved,” the report had also stated. It added that if objections are received during the consultation period, a further report will be submitted to allow cabinet to consider the objections raised and to further consider the tariffs proposed.