TAXI fares in the Taunton and Minehead areas are set to rise ahead of the Christmas rush.

The new maximum fare rates are subject to public consultation but are scheduled to come into effect from Tuesday, December 7.

The proposed increase is the first in more than nine years and follows a request from a taxi business.

The new tariffs will apply to Taunton Deane and West Somerset, where there are currently two different rates.

The new charges will be felt more acutely in West Somerset, where taxi rates are currently cheaper than in and around Taunton.

A spokesperson for Somerset West and Taunton Council said: "We are proposing to increase the maximum fares that taxi drivers can charge for the first time in over nine years and as required by law, are consulting the public.

"All the separate charges are shown in a ‘tariff’. The driver of a taxi cannot charge more than the tariff but can charge less if they wish.

"There are currently two different tariffs in Somerset West and Taunton, for the two former districts of Taunton Deane and West Somerset.

"These tariffs have not changed since 2010 and 2011 respectively.

"Our proposal to increase the current fares follows a request from a taxi business.

"We are proposing to replace the two existing tariffs with one, for the whole of the Somerset West and Taunton.

"The proposed fares will come into force if there are no objections once the consultation is finished.

"Anyone can object to the proposed new tariff, by responding to our consultation."

The proposed table of fares is:

  • First 400 yards: £2.60.
  • For each completed 140 yards: £0.20.
  • Waiting time (each completed 35 seconds): £0.20.
  • Soiling charge: £100.00.
  • For hirings commencing between 10pm and 7am: +50% (time and a half).
  • For Saturdays and Sundays: +50%.
  • For all Public and Bank Holidays: +100% (double time).
  • Christmas Eve and New Years Eve from 6pm: +50%.
  • In excess of 4 passengers at any point during the hire: +50%.
  • In excess of 4 passengers between 10pm and 7am: +100%.
  • In excess of 4 passengers on a Saturday, Sunday, Bank holiday or Public holiday: +100%.

Here are some examples of journeys to help demonstrate the difference between existing fares and the proposed fares.

  • 2 mile journey on a Monday afternoon: This would come to £7.20. That is £1 more than it would cost currently in Taunton Deane and £1.40 more than in West Somerset.
  • 2 mile journey in the early hours of Sunday morning: This would come to £10.80. That is £1.50 more than it would cost currently in Taunton Deane and £2.10 more than in West Somerset.
  • 2 mile journey on a Bank Holiday: This would come to £14.40. That is £1 more than it would cost currently in Taunton Deane and £2.80 more than in West Somerset.
  • 5 mile journey on a Monday afternoon: This would come to £14.60. That is £1.80 more than it would cost currently in Taunton Deane and £3 more than in West Somerset.
  • 5 mile journey in the early hours of Sunday morning: This would come to £21.90. That is £2.70 more than it would cost currently in Taunton Deane and £4.50 more than in West Somerset.
  • 5 mile journey on a Bank Holiday: This would come to £29.20. That is £3.60 more than it would cost currently in Taunton Deane and £6 more than in West Somerset.

It should be noted these fares do not include any waiting time.

Max Bishop, a director at Taunton Taxi Services said the last increase was in 2010, when:

  • the minimum wage was £5.93 (set to rise to £9.50 next year;
  • fuel wa s£1.18 a litre (£1.47 in 2021);
  • garage labour was £45 an hour (£65 an hour in 2021).

He added: "Just on those factors alone, you can see why there is need for an increase fom 11 years ago - not to mention the incraese on taxi insurance, which currently stands at around £1,300 a vehicle per year for fleets, public liability insurance, taxi vehicle licensing, medical checks, DBS checks, tyes, accountants, officve wages, internet, phone lines, dispatch systems - the list goes on."

He added that there is a "huge shortage" of drivers and the increase will "hopefully entice drivers to come back and also bring in new drivers to better serve our community".

Jared Colclough, of Grab-A-Cab, said the last increase in the Taunton area was in November 2010 and the latest rise equates to a 1.1 per cent increase.

HAVE YOUR SAY: To take part in the consultation, click here.