Taxi fares increase by three per cent

OLDHAMERS may have to pay more for travelling in Hackney carriages because of increased petrol costs.

The Oldham Taxi Owners’ Association appeared before the licensing panel yesterday to argue for a 10p fuel surcharge to be added to every journey.

Edward Cook said: “We have absorbed the extra fuel costs for six months while the petrol price smashed the £1 a litre barrier and continued to rise.

“Although the cost has stabilised now, I think it will rise again.

“Many other areas of the country have introduced a 20p fuel surcharge to their journeys and Hackneys in Carlisle have increased their fares by more than a fifth.”

The surcharge will not appear on the meter, but will be added to the fare at the end of a journey and will be introduced at the beginning of November if it is approved at the next council cabinet meeting in September.

Customers will also be hit with a 3 per cent fare increase, which will be effective from November 1.

Mr Cook said: “The 3 per cent rise is less than inflation. We implement a small increase every year so we do not have to slap customers with a big, unexpected rise.”