Taxi fares in Glasgow have increased by almost 10% to help cover the rising costs of operating taxis in the city.
Glasgow City Council’s licensing committee approved the 9.72% fares increase, as well as extending the period during which night-time charges can be added. The council’s aim is to attract more taxi drivers to work during the night-time hours, something the city has struggled with since the pandemic.
The increase — which came into effect on September 23 — follows a 20% fares rise introduced in February last year.
Cabbies counting the cost
The latest fares rise was one of a number of changes recommended to Glasgow City Council in an independent report by Dr James Cooper, who looked at the cost of running a cab in the city — including fuel, maintenance and taxi insurance fees.
Glasgow Live reports that at a meeting in June, Robert McLean, of Glasgow Taxis, said the public “rely heavily on taxis to get back out of the city” at night-time and suggested an increase of the night-time charge from £1.50 to £3 would “improve the availability of taxis”.
Among the other changes proposed by Dr Cooper were to alter the flag fall distance and time from 886 yards to 889 yards and 166 seconds to 167 seconds.
Glasgow Live adds that “each additional increment will change from a distance not exceeding 196 yards to 179 yards and the time changed from 42 seconds to 38 seconds. However, the distance-and-time charge remains at an increment of 30p.”
Dr Cooper’s research concluded there had been a 9.72% increase in “the cost of operating a taxi in Glasgow”. He considered a range of factors including fuel costs, vehicle purchase and maintenance expenditure, taxi insurance and licence fees and the costs of Low Emission Zone compliance.
Fairer fares
Other steps to help taxi drivers cope with rising operating costs include increasing the minimum charge flag fall from £4 to £4.40.
The additional night-time charge will increase from £1.40 to £1.50 and the night-time hours have been extended from 11pm to 6am to 9pm to 6am.
The soiling charge has also increased from £42 to £46.
Glasgow Live reports that additional Christmas and New Year charges — between 9pm on December 24 and 6am on December 27 and 9pm on December 31 and 6am on January 3 — will rise from £2.50 to £2.70. These charges have previously only applied on December 25 and 26 and January 1 and 2.
Keeping up with costs
A council report stated that Glasgow Taxis believes the 10p increase in the night-shift flag fall would “not be effective” and wants to see it rise to £3 at nights and £5 over Christmas and New Year holidays.
It also suggested the night-time charges should stop at 5am rather than 6am as to “not penalise” workers who start early. While it might appear unfair to charge workers the higher rate, they are still adding to demand for cabs, whether they are getting ready to start their shift or are returning from a late night out.
Glasgow Live added that Glasgow Taxis Owners Federation suggested the night charge should be changed to £2, and wants extra charges per person after two passengers.
It is good to see the council keeping a close eye on the costs of running cabs in the city and increasing fares accordingly. There is an acknowledgement of the vital role taxis play in the city, and the importance of maintaining enough numbers to meet demand at night.
