Council committee backs proposals to keep maximum taxi fares the same

Orkney Islands Council’s licensing committee has backed proposals for maximum taxi fares to remain the same after May 1 next year.

The committee met on Thursday and agreed that the proposed fare scales for mainland Orkney and the county’s linked south isles should now go out to public consultation.

A report will then be prepared for the committee’s meeting in March next year.

The current maximum rates:

• £4.50 for the first mile and £2 for each mile thereafter between 7am and 8.59pm.
• £5.50 for the first mile and £2.40 for each mile thereafter from 9pm to 6.59am, and from 7am to 8.59pm on Orkney’s County Show day.
• There are also a third set of fares of £6.50 for the first mile and £2.90 for every mile thereafter during the Christmas and New Year holidays.
• Other additional fares, for example £120 for car fouling, are also used.

Orkney council proposes new fare scales every 12 months.

By local democracy reporter Andrew Stewart