Taxi tariffs could rise for first time in three years
TAXI tariff rates are in line to increase for the first time since 2022 amid rises in costs such as vehicle maintenance and fuel.
It is proposed that base fares could rise by 50p – from £4.50 to £5 from 6am to 10pm and from £5 to £5.50 overnight.
The cost per mile after the first 0.7 miles could rise by 40p.
There could also be similar increases in the festive fares, and a rise of 15p per minute or £9 a hour in the waiting charge.
There is a fairly sizeable proposed rise in the cleaning charge if a vehicle is soiled by a passenger, from £60 to £80.
Taxi licensees were consulted generally in October and November, with one written representation received by Shetland Islands Council (SIC).
This representation was a “result of a collaboration between members of the taxi sector”, a council report said, with the letter requesting the increases that have been proposed.
Transport policy and projects officer Robina Barton told a meeting of the SIC’s policy and resources committee on Monday that the last time tariffs were increased was back in October 2024.
A report to the committee said since tariffs were last increased there have been “significant increases in the cost of vehicles and maintenance, fuel and the cost of living”.
It also said under the proposed changes the tariff for a two mile journey at rate one (between 6am to 10pm) would be £8.64, an increase of £1.02 on the current tariff.
“This would be on a par with East Ayrshire at £8.50 and below Midlothian at £8.90, Orkney at £9.00, Edinburgh at £9.00 and Glasgow at £9.30 as compared with Highland at £7.10, and the Western Isles at £7.00,” it added.
A review of tariffs has to be carried out by law every 18 months.
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The proposed taxi tariffs will now be published for public consultation, with a view to them being fixed on 20 March.
But SIC depute leader Gary Robinson questioned whether the new tariffs could be advertised further than just the Shetland Times newspaper.
“Is that still sufficient in terms of advertising when we’re seeing a significant drop in the paper press, and should we not be seeking to advertise in more places?” he asked.
Barton said it had been something of a historic tradition, and said there was technically nothing stopping the SIC advertising the tariffs beyond the newspaper.
Meanwhile Lerwick South councillor John Fraser said he was glad to read there had been representation from a collaboration of members of the taxi trade.
But he said it was disappointing the local industry does not have formal representation or a consultative body.
Barton said this had been an “ongoing challenge” but said it depends on members of the industry getting together.
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