Councillors have unanimously voted for taxi fares to increase by 15 per cent and for the process to be completed as quickly as possible.
Taxi fares have not increased in Perth and Kinross since 2011.
One local taxi operator told the licensing committee trying to overcome challenges such as the pandemic, rising fuel costs and recruitment issues was like “pushing water uphill”.
Perth and Kinross licensing committee met virtually on Thursday, April 7 to review the scale of fares.
Sandy Smith of Perth Radio Taxis recently met with other taxi operators on March 21 to discuss the issue.
Addressing the licensing committee - on behalf of taxi operators who attended the March meeting - he said: “Our fares haven’t moved for the past 10 years. Just to put that into perspective, in the past 12 months the cost of fuel has jumped by 40 per cent - and that’s just for fuel, it doesn’t take into account running costs, parts, insurance, etc.
“Our operators are struggling after coming out of two years of a COVID recession if you like. We are trying to recruit new drivers all the time.
“It’s like pushing water uphill.”
He requested the committee follow Falkirk Council’s lead and speed up the process to introduce the new fares.
The current process means it could potentially take until June to introduce the fare increase.
Conservative councillor Bob Brawn asked if the fares could be raised before the licensing committee next meets.
The next meeting could potentially be in June due to the May elections.
PKC’s licensing manager Debra Gilkison said: “Any change in tariffs by legislation would have to be advertised for one month - in the [local] press - to allow the public to make objections or representations. If none are received the next step is the metered operators are consulted and they have two weeks to appeal the new fares to the traffic commissioner.
“If no appeals are made then what we can do to speed up the process is allow the operators with meters to run in the meantime until they get their meters tested at Friarton. We’d allow them - after their meters were calibrated - to operate the new tariffs until they get an appointment with Friarton.”
The recommendation put before the committee was to approve a 10 per cent increase to the three operating tariffs.
A consultation with local taxi operators found 68 out of 99 operators with meters in their taxis would support a 10 per cent increase.
Two did not want fares to change; two voted for a five per cent increase; three a seven per cent rise and 24 never responded.
Convener Chris Ahern said: “It’s fair to say the review took place before the current fuel crisis so that wasn’t taken into account in terms of consultation that went out to trade.”
Consequently the Conservative councillor proposed a 15 per cent increase be introduced.
SNP councillor Andrew Parrott seconded and called for the 15 per cent increase to be implemented “as soon as relevant legislation and/or regulations permit this to be achieved”.
This was unanimously agreed. The proposed new tariffs will be advertised in the local press. Interested parties will have a month to respond to the advert.
