Decision details

To adopt the advertised table of Hackney Carriage Fares following consideration of the objections received.

The fare calculator has been reviewed and updated following the Judicial Review to ensure it reflects the costs of running a taxi in Guildford.

The taxi trade have been consulted on the data inputted into the calculator.

It is important that the taxi trade are able to cover the costs of running a taxi and provide a service when it is needed, balanced against what it is reasonable for the public to pay.

The Council has an adopted fare calculator which has been subject of Judicial Review. After considering the objection received, in the absence of justifiable reasons to change the calculator, we will continue to use this as the basis for calculating taxi fares.

1. To maintain the status quo and current fare chart.

Option rejected because fares need to reflect current cost of running a taxi. The current fare chart dates back to 2019 and there has been considerable variation in both running costs and number of miles completed during this time meaning that the current chart does not allow the trade to recover their costs according to the calculator.

2. Percentage increase or decrease.

The Council has an adopted fare calculator and after consideration of the objections, no justifiable reasons have been submitted to support a departure from this calculator. Any percentage change would be arbitrary and would be open to challenge.

3. Addition of a fuel surcharge.

A number of consultation responses has indicated there should be a fuel surcharge. A fuel surcharge was previously incorporated in the table of fares until circa 2013 when it was removed as can increase confusion and is difficult to implement due to the varying price of fuel between filling stations. No suggestion about what level the fuel surcharge should be set at is provided by respondents.

4. Alternative calculation methodology.

The Councils adopted fare calculator forms a transparent basis for calculating fares and the calculator and associated cost data have been the subject of considerable consultation with the taxi trade.