Public Notice - Revised Taxi Fares

In accordance with the requirements of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982, the Highland Council is reviewing the maximum level of charges for the hire of Taxis or Private Hire Cars fitted with Taxi Meters.

It is proposed that with effect from midnight on 20th June 2011, the maximum fares will be as follows:-

Tariff 1;

General effect – the price of a hire £3.20 for the first mile plus £1.40p per mile thereafter plus extras*

Tariff 2; applies on Good Friday, Easter Monday and May Day and between 10.00pm and 7.00 a.m. on any day, all day on Saturday and Sunday and when 5 or more passengers are being carried at any time of any day or night, for example, by a “London” style taxi or by a “people carrier” or by a minibus, except where Tariff 3 applies.

General effect – the price of a hire £4.30 for the first mile plus £1.90 per mile thereafter plus extras*

Tariff 3; applies on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Years Day and 2nd January.  It also applies when 5 or more passengers are being carried between 10.00pm and 7.00am, all day on Saturday and Sunday and on Good Friday, Easter Monday and May Day for example, by a “London” style taxi or by a “people carrier” or by a minibus.

General effect – the price of a hire £5.30 for the first mile plus £2.40 per mile thereafter plus extras*

*Extra Charges

In addition, provision has been made for a supplementary booking charge of up to a maximum of £6.50 to compensate for the cost of the outward journey for hires which commence 3 miles or more away from the taxi or taxi base (whichever is the nearer) and the customer wishes to travel further away.  This charge may only be demanded if the customer is informed of the amount of the charge at the time of booking.

When a taxi (or a private hire car fitted with a taxi meter) is called but not used, a charge shall be allowed as if it had been occupied from the time it left the stance or garage.

Soiling Charge – maximum of £60.00 payable by an offending passenger, where a vehicle requires to be removed from service for cleaning in order for it to be restored to a usable state and condition.

In summary the general effect of the amendments proposed are as follows:

Tariff 1: The cost of the first mile will rise from £3.10p to £3.20p, each subsequent mile will rise from £1.30p to £1.40p.

Tariff 2: The cost of the first mile will rise from £4.20 to £4.30, each subsequent mile will rise from £1.80 to £1.90.

Tariff 3 can be charged all day on Saturday and on Good Friday, Easter Monday and May Day where 5 or more passengers are being carried.
 
The Council hereby invites the public to submit written representations about these proposals.

Please write to the Assistant Chief Executive at the address shown below by Friday 22nd April 2011.   Any representations will be considered by the Council’s TEC Services Committee on 26th May 2011 before the new fare scales are fixed.

Michelle Morris,
Assistant Chief Executive,
The Highland Council,
Glenurquhart Road,
Inverness,
IV3 5NX.
23rd March 2011