TAXI fares in Helensburgh and Lomond are set to come under scrutiny as the area’s council sets its scale for the next period.
A report to go before one of the authority’s committees sets out its actions for the review, which by law must take place every 18 months.
Drivers across Argyll and Bute are set to receive a letter inviting them to give their feedback next week, with further details to be given to councillors in December.
The initial report will be considered by the council’s planning, protective services and licensing committee at its meeting on Wednesday, October 23.
Executive director Douglas Hendry said: “Section 17 of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 states that ‘the licensing authority must fix scales for the fares and other charges within 18 months beginning with the date on which the scales came into effect’.
“In terms of the last review the fares came into force on October 22, 2023. The next fares scale will need to come into force in April 2025. Therefore the review process would require to commence in October 2024.
“At the [committee’s] meeting on June 21, 2023 the committee agreed that there be no change to the existing scales and that this will take effect from October 22, 2023.
“A letter will be issued to all taxi operators week commencing on October 28 inviting their comments by December 2.
“A further report will be placed before the committee at their meeting on December 18 detailing the comments received from the trade.”
Councillors on the committee are recommended to agree to commence the review of fares, and that the consultation will be in writing.
The decision to make no changes at the time of the previous review came after little feedback was received from taxi drivers during the consultation period on a proposed increase.
Only three operators each in Helensburgh and Lomond; Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands; and Bute and Cowal responded. Oban Lorn and the Isles had a slightly higher response rate.
Councillor Jan Brown (SNP, Mid Argyll) said as the decision was made: “I feel that as it was a very poor response, I would be happy to leave the fares as they are. Most people who did respond wanted fares left as they were anyway.”
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