A FORT WILLIAM taxi driver has branded a proposed 28 per cent increase in fares a ‘disgrace’.
Nairn McArthur said drivers have been informed by Highland Council’s licensing committe the price per mile for tariff one – Monday to Friday during the day – is to go up from £1.40 to £1.80. He said: ‘This is a disgrace. There are people round here who rely on taxis but these regular customers are not going to continue to get taxis. People will just walk past and go for a bus.
Mr McArthur added drivers will also have to get their meters re-calibrated and tested by the council which could cost £100 per taxi. He also said drivers who tendered for the school run did so in January at the price of £1.40 per mile. The proposed changes would mean those companies will have under-priced the school run.