Chichester taxi fares to increase

The increase, which was approved by the district council’s general licensing committee on Wednesday (October 12), applies to hackney cabs such as those which use the rank outside the railway station.

The new daytime rate will be £4.64 for the first mile – up from £4 – and £2.44 for each following mile – up from £2.10 – which is a 16 per cent increase.

Higher rates will be charged for public and bank holidays, while Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day will be charged at double time.

The night-time rates, between 11pm and 6am, will be £6.73 and £3.36 for each following mile.

The review was called after the council was contacted by two licence holders, acting on behalf of 28 drivers, and it was agreed that, given how much time had passed since charges last increased, there was a need to look at them again.

Fares aside, some other charges were also increased.

Anyone who leaves their taxi waiting will be charged 10p for every 20 seconds.

And anyone who makes a mess in a taxi can expect to be charged a £100 ‘soiling charge’ – up from £50.

David Knowles-Ley, licensing manager, said: “Often when a vehicle is soiled it is unable to be used for several hours and, in many cases, over night while it is professionally cleaned.

“It is believed that £100 is a far more appropriate level of charge.”

The increases make Chichester charges the 83rd highest out of 355 local authorities – up from 206th.

Mr Knowles-Ley suggested that the fares charged by the authority’s 45 hackney cab drivers be reviewed at least every two years.

The difference between hackney cabs and private hire taxis is that the hackneys can be hailed from the street, can operate from taxi ranks, and must have a meter – private hire cars must be pre-booked.