Taxi fares could soon rise in Stafford Borough after a request from drivers to increase starting charges. But for many in Stone, the change may not make much difference.
The proposed increase only applies to Hackney Carriages, which are the licensed taxis that can wait at official ranks or be flagged down in the street. They are different from private hire vehicles, often referred to as minicabs, which must be pre-booked and can set their own rates.
In Stone, Hackney Carriages are hardly a common sight, so will these changes affect things much in the town?
Council agrees to consultation
The proposed fare change was discussed at a cabinet meeting on Monday, 7th July. A public consultation is now set to follow, and the new rates could be introduced “as soon as possible, subject to any objections arising,” according to a cabinet report.
Councillor Rob Kenney, the council’s deputy leader, said:
“There is a clear distinction between Hackney Carriages (taxis) and private hire vehicles (minicabs). Taxis are permitted to wait at taxi ranks or be hailed in the street, while minicabs are not permitted to wait at ranks or to take passengers unless a journey has been pre-booked.
Minicabs can charge whatever fare they choose. But Hackney Carriages must not charge any fare higher than those set by the council.”
The proposed changes would raise the starting fare from £3.10 to £4 for journeys in vehicles carrying up to four people, under the “normal charge” tariff. Higher rates would apply for larger vehicles or those operating late at night, on bank holidays or on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve from 6.00 pm onwards.
Cllr Kenney added:
“The council last set fares in 2022. Since then there has been a significant and sustained increase in the price of fuel, cost of vehicles and operational costs, such as insurance and maintenance.
The trade has approached the council to propose a fare increase. They request an increase in ‘flag’ – or starting rate – from £3.10 to £4.”
How fares compare
If approved, the fare for a standard two-mile journey would rise from £6.50 to £7.40.
The cabinet report explained:
“Officers have carried out a fare comparison exercise with neighbouring authorities. A two-mile journey (under the normal charge) would be £7.40, which would set this authority 144th out of 341 authorities.”
That would make Stafford Borough the most expensive of the ten areas surveyed across Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent and Wolverhampton. Currently, Stafford ranks as the fourth cheapest. The cheapest two-mile journey is found in Staffordshire Moorlands, where the fare is £5.20 and has not changed since 2015. Tamworth currently has the highest fare at £7.14.
The report continued:
“Historically, the council has not taken a proactive approach in proposing any increase in the tariff, relying on the trade to come forward when the trade considers increased costs justify a tariff increase.”
A taxi fare rise not everyone will feel
While fares for Hackney Carriages are council regulated, private hire vehicles are not affected by the proposal. These minicabs already charge what they like and are typically the first port of call for pre-booked school runs, shopping trips, hospital appointments and nights out.
In Stafford Borough, just 57 Hackney Carriages are licensed, compared to 95 private hire vehicles. Both figures have fallen slightly since 2022.
A report to the cabinet noted the challenges facing the traditional taxi trade.
“To retain a strong local taxi trade, where all vehicles (with some exceptions) are required to be wheelchair accessible, and a specific colour (white at present) the council must work with proprietors in assisting them to remain competitive but also to recover costs and make profit.”
In Stone, it is unclear how often these Hackney Carriages are actually seen at ranks or on the road. If the fare rise is approved, it may only be felt by a small number of passengers, with the majority continuing to use private hire firms.
