Falkirk Council to ask public on taxi fare proposed increases

On Tuesday members of Falkirk Council’s executive agreed that the proposals – drawn up in consultation with the local taxi forum – should now be put to the public.

Fares last rose in September 2022 in response to concerns over rising fuel costs and while there are no plans to increase general fares, calls have been made to increase the festive fares.

Members heard this suggestion is being made to encourage more drivers to work and meet demand from customers.

However, the drivers consulted said they are also proposing that additional charges for most public holidays be removed entirely.

That would mean it would no longer be more expensive to get a taxi on Easter, May Day, Falkirk Trades Fair, and the Falkirk September holiday.

A new rate of time and a half would apply only at Christmas and New Year public holidays.

The proposed dates and times of the revised tariff would be from 9pm on Christmas Eve to 6am on December 27 and 9pm on December 31 to 6 am on January 3.

Other proposals being put forward by the forum are increasing the soiling charge to £100, as the current charge of £40 does not cover the cost of a vehicle being valeted and does not take into account loss of income when a car is off the road to be cleaned.

The forum is also suggesting that a £5 charge be introduced for larger capacity vehicles that have been engaged for more than four passengers or for large items such as luggage/ golf clubs, as the cost of running larger vehicles is making such journeys uneconomic.

This charge would not apply to wheelchair users.

Now that the proposals have been approved by the executive, members of the public and businesses will have an opportunity to comment.

If no comments are received, the new fare scales and charges will take effect from midnight on December 1.

If comments are received, a further report would be brought back to the Executive for members to discuss.