London taxi fares to rise by 3.4%

The fare increase is meant to protect the income of black cab drivers

Black cab fares in London are set to rise by 3.4% on 1 April in what Transport for London (TfL) says is a bid to maintain drivers' income levels.

The increase is based on a formula that takes into account incomes, fuel and maintenance costs.

The Public Carriage Office of TfL, which oversees fare hikes, will also allow a 40p per fare premium should fuel prices rise above 147.1p a litre.

The latest price hike will bring the average late night fare to �13.83.

'Quality service'

Ed Thompson, Taxi and Private Hire Director at TfL, said: "These new fares take into account the increased costs over the year of running a black cab.

"The increase reflects changes in national average earnings and encourages taxi drivers to provide a top quality service in London."

A spokeswoman for TfL said the fare rise was calculated in November of last year and is not based solely on inflation figures, but also on national average earnings.

She said that operating costs for black cabs have gone up by 3.7% in the past year, including a 4.1% cost in diesel fuel.

While the hike provides for the 40p flat rate should fuel prices rise, the current cost of diesel is 107p a litre.

Black cab fares are calculated on three different tariffs, with higher charges for evenings and weekends and an extra premium for fares after 2200 each evening.

The fare increase announcement comes just days after hundreds of black cabs blockaded central London in protest over a popular minicab scheme being tested by Westminster Council.

The marshalled minicab scheme allows people to book a minicab at Leicester Square's ticket booth and have a marshal accompany them to their waiting cars.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version