Taxi fare increases in West Berkshire out for consultation

West Berkshire Council has launched a consultation about taxi fares going up.

The council is required, by law, to consult on any proposal inviting views on the proposed changes to the fares from the taxi trade, residents, local businesses and taxi users alike.

The council reviews the tariffs every year.

The current fares have been in place since June 2023.

The request, submitted by a member of the trade, is asking for an uplift of around 3.2 per cent.

The proposal is also seeking to introduce fouling charges which are linked to the three tariff bandings for the first time.

This is to reflect the increased costs associated with cleaning a vehicle during unsociable hours, which is also when the trade tends to be at its busiest.

The executive, at its meeting on March 14 agreed that the request to consult on the changes should be undertaken.

It also asked that the usual two-week consultation period be extended to three weeks to take into account that it would fall over the Easter holidays.

The consultation will run from March 21 to April 11.

For more information go to Consultations – PPP at publicprotectionpartnership.org.uk.

If no objections are received the revised fares will come into effect on April 12.

It should be noted that these are the maximum fares that can be charged and not all operators may choose to charge them.