Tunbridge Wells would be Kent's second most expensive for taxis if council accepts fare increase request

A town would become the second most expensive place in Kent to take a taxi if a fare increase proposal from a driver is accepted by Town Hall chiefs.

Tunbridge Wells fares would go up by 60p for a standard two miles' trip if the hikes are approved and implemented next month, as requested by long-term driver Clayton Berry.

The last price rise was in April 2022 and Mr Berry, who owns CleggyTaxi and has been a driver since 1994, said it was now time to put them up for several reasons. These include the cost of maintaining vehicles and vehicle licence fees; the transaction fee on card machines; and the general cost of living, said the council report on his request.

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The proposal to be debated tonight (Tuesday, November 19) by Tunbridge Wells Borough Council's licensing chiefs is to increase a two miles' journey from £8 to £8.60 on 'tariff one', which means may be charged at any time; and for the same distance as a tariff two journey, which means between 11.30pm and 6am, or any time on a public holiday or any time after 6pm on Christmas Eve or New Year's Eve, from £11.80 to £12.70.

These charges would put Tunbridge Wells behind only Sevenoaks, at £8.70 for two miles, as the priciest place in Kent to catch a cab.

Should the increases by Hackney driver Mr Berry be approved, a public notice will be publicised and if this sparks objections to the council, the proposal would be brought back before the committee for consideration.

The proposals would change what's known as the 'table of fares' which sets the maximum chargeable fares. Mr Berry has also asked the 'additional passenger capacity charge' for more than four passengers be increased from £2 to £3. He has not asked for an increase for rates on Tariff 3, which are for Christmas and New Year's Day.

Private Hire Monthly magazine publishes a league table which benchmarks all councils in England and Wales against the cost of a two miles hackney fare on Tariff One. Tunbridge Wells Borough Council is at 70th out of 337 authorities.

If the increases are implemented, Tunbridge Wells would also be joint "22nd out of the 337 councils and the second most expensive taxi fares in Kent", said the report.

The council report also includes interesting information from the RAC fuel watch price reports. It said fuel prices fell by 6.5p in September, saving drivers £3.60 a tank – the ninth biggest monthly drop seen since 2000, it said.

It also said since the start of May prices had come down "dramatically", with 15.5p being shaved off unleaded and 18.5p off diesel. A full fill-up with petrol is now £74 and a tank of diesel is just under £77’, it said.