Agenda item

Report from the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment.

Recommendations:

1.    That the amendments to the Hackney Carriage tariffs and soiling charge detailed in this report and Appendix 1 be approved along with a 14-day consultation period.

2.    That following the period of consultation, if no objections are received or any objections received are subsequently withdrawn, then the amended tariffs and soiling charge are to take effect immediately.

3.    Should any objections be received following the period of consultation then a further report will be presented to Cabinet to determine whether the fares should be agreed and introduced, or amended prior to their introduction.

Consideration was given to the report which sought approval for the amendments to the Hackney Carriage tariffs and soiling charge along with a 14-day consultation period.

A request had been received at the end of October 2021 on behalf of members of the Rotherham Hackney Carriage Association requesting a rise in the metered fares currently being charges in hackney carriage vehicles. A period of discussion had taken place and the proposed tariffs were finalised in February 2022. The tariffs were then submitted to local taximeter suppliers to verify that the proposals were compatible with their equipment, and slight amendments were made to the tariffs following this. The final proposal had been agreed with Rotherham Hackney Carriage Association and was attached to the report at Appendix 1.

The current tariffs had been set in 2017. Since this time, the cost of fuel, insurance and vehicle servicing has increased significantly. Fuel had increased by around 38% since 2017 (as detailed in the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Weekly Fuel Prices). Licence holders were therefore requesting the increase to cover running costs and allow them to see sufficient return for their business.

Under tariff 1 (Standard Tariff), the current charge for the first mile was £4.00, with each additional mile costing the passenger £1.40. This would increase to £4.50 for the first mile (an increase of 12.5%), and £1.50 for each additional mile thereafter (an increase of 7%). In addition to the increase, the recommended tariffs would see the charge for the first half mile increased from £3.30 to £4.00. This had been introduced due to the trade seeing an increase in the numbers of very short journeys that take place during the daytime.

Under tariff 2 (Night time, Sunday and Bank Holiday Tariff, except Christmas and New Year), the current charge for first mile was £4.30, with each additional mile costing the passenger £1.60. This would increase to £4.70 for the first mile (an increase of 9.3%), and £1.70 for each additional mile thereafter (an increase of 6.25%). It had also been proposed that the times during which tariff 2 was applicable should be amended. Currently, tariff 2 was applied all day on Sundays and Bank Holidays and was activated at 10.00 p.m. on other days (except those days covered by tariff 3). It was proposed that the starting time on days other than Sundays or Bank Holidays be changed to 9.00 p.m. (the finishing time would remain at 6.00 a.m.). In addition, it was proposed that the charge for waiting was increased from 20p per minute (or part thereof) to 30p per minute (or part thereof). This represented an increase of 50%.

Under tariff 3 (Christmas and New Year Tariff), the current charge for the first mile was £6.60, with each additional mile costing the passenger £1.70. This would increase to £7.00 for the first mile (an increase of 6.1%), and £1.90 for each additional mile thereafter (an increase of 11.8%). Currently, tariff 3 was activated at 5.00 p.m. on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. It was proposed that this be amended so that tariff 3 be activated at 3.00 p.m. (the times and days that tariff 3 would end would remain the same). The charge for waiting would be the same as under tariff 2.

It was also proposed that the Soiling Charge for all tariffs be increased to £50 (an increase of 11%). The Large Group Surcharge would be unchanged.

Any change in the proposed tariffs had to be advertised in the local press (through the publication of a public notice), and this would take place following agreement of the proposed tariffs by Cabinet. Should any objections be received, a further report would be presented to Cabinet for their consideration. This would propose that the fares are either introduced as advertised or amended prior to their introduction. If no objections were received (or objections made but subsequently withdrawn) the revised tariffs would come into effect on a date to be agreed with the Hackney Carriage Trade (allowing sufficient time for practical arrangements to be completed).

Councillor Alam requested that the tariffs be reviewed on an annual basis. It was confirmed this would be taken back to officers for consideration.

Resolved:-

1.      That the amendments to the Hackney Carriage tariffs and soiling charge detailed in this report and Appendix 1 be approved along with 14 days consultation period.

2.      That following the period of consultation, if no objections were received or any objections received were subsequently withdrawn, then the amended tariffs and soiling charge were to take effect immediately.

3.      Should any objections be received following the period of consultation then a further report will be presented to Cabinet to determine whether the fares should be agreed and introduced, or amended prior to their introduction.