Taxi fares in Neath Port Talbot could be set to increase

Taxi fares in Neath Port Talbot could be set to rise in the coming months following a recent review carried out by the council. The proposals, which were approved for public notice at a Neath Port Talbot cabinet meeting in May, came about after requests were sent in by the hackney carriage trade for an increase to the existing maximum fare.

Members heard higher fares were being considered because of the increasing cost of living with rises in the prices of fuel and licensing fees as well as a reported increase of 50% for insurance since 2022. The report read: "The council has already set a maximum permitted fare and has published a fares table which must be displayed in all hackney carriage vehicles. The current fare table was last amended in April 2022.

"An increase to the hackney carriage fare was on the agenda at a recent meeting between the council and taxi association representatives. It was agreed that a fare increase would be pursued as soon as possible due to the increasing cost of living and because the fares had not increased since April 2022."

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The move could now see an uplift in fares across the borough with an additional 10p added to the starting metre on a tariff one journey and 20p to the starting metre on a tariff two journey. It would also see a proposed increase of 2p for every tenth of a mile travelled, which officers previously said was an additional 5.17% increase for an average tariff one journey and 6% on a tariff two.

There could also be extra charges for each passenger exceeding four on a journey, going up from 50p to 75p, and at a separate meeting it was said these proposals were not considered to be excessive. The report also referenced a consultation which was carried out with drivers where a total of 42 responded with 23 agreeing an increase was appropriate.

Officers said with members' approval, the proposals would now be put out for public notice and if there were no objections to the revised charges they would be implemented. If there are objections the plans will be brought back to members for further consideration.

They also added this public notice would be deferred until after the pre-election period had taken place ahead of the general election. For the latest Neath Port Talbot news sign up to our newsletter here.