Plans to increase cab fares in Mid Sussex have been agreed by the district council.
The council received a request for a 60p rise in starting fares from hackney cab driver Andrew Harding, which was supported by a petition signed by 91 drivers.
This means the initial fare will rise from £3.80 to £4.40, with pro rata increases on higher tariffs.
The change was agreed by members of the licensing committee on Tuesday (September 17).
It will come into effect on November 1 and will only apply to the initial fare and not any subsequent distance travelled – essentially amounting to a 60p increase in the cost of the whole journey.
The cost of living, a ‘substantial’ increase in the cost of insurance, and the cost of maintaining the vehicles were among the reasons given for the fare hike.
On top of that, drivers have had to pay out hundreds of pounds having CCTV installed in their vehicles.
The last fare rise was put in place in 2022.
Licensing officer Jon Bryant said: “Fares are set to ensure there’s a balance between the drivers earning a reasonable income and what would be a reasonable cost to the public.”
Mr Bryant said that the district’s 132 licence holders had been contacted about the proposals, with 50 responding.
Of those, 39 (78%) were in favour of the fare increase.
He added: “It’s important that drivers are able to earn an adequate income for their service.
“If they are unable to earn an adequate income then we run the risk of drivers leaving the trade and there being insufficient vehicles for the public.”
The fare increase only applies to hackney cabs – the council has no say when it comes to private hire vehicles.
