Council agrees to increase taxi fares by 6% despite concerns from drivers

East Dunbartonshire's fare adjustments were unanimously approved at a meeting last week.

East Dunbartonshire taxi fares to increase by 6% despite concerns from drivers — The council held a public consultation which ran from February until April iStock

Neil McGrory, Local Democracy Reporter

Posted in

East Dunbartonshire

Taxi fares in East Dunbartonshire have been increased despite some concerns over a lack of response to public consultation on the topic.

East Dunbartonshire Council approved a 6% increase in the minimum fare, which takes it to £3.50, and also increased the extra charge for journeys to pick up or drop off passengers at Glasgow Airport to £6.

The council held a public consultation which ran from February until April, which was promoted through advertising in the local press as well as, on its own website and social media channels, inviting people to give their views on various proposed pricing models.

However, this attracted just nine responses, three of which came from people currently working in the local taxi trade.

Eight of those nine supported increased fares, with seven indicating that they would support greater increases than proposed and one saying he would be in favour of a rise of 10% or higher.

Taxi drivers highlighted the cost of recalibrating their meters and associated testing following changes to the rates, as well as the significant expense of purchasing and insuring vehicles and maintaining insurance.

The fare adjustments were unanimously approved at a meeting of the council’s policy and resources committee, although members also expressed disappointment at the low number of responses received during the consultation, particularly due to the large numbers of people affected.