Black cab fares in Wigan have been hiked

Taxi prices in Wigan have been raised after council bosses gave the thumbs up to a £1 increase that is ‘effectively a 10 per cent wage rise’ for hackney carriage cabbies.

Higher costs of fuel, an increased cost of living and insurance premiums for drivers were all factors behind the decision, a meeting heard. Ian Rogers, who appeared in Wigan Town Hall representing the Wigan Taxi Drivers and Owners Coalition, said the rise would essentially give drivers £50 extra a week or more depending on how many trips they do.

“It is an awkward one as we don’t want to increase the rate too much,” Mr Rogers told the Regulation Committee on Friday (March 17).

READ MORE: “We just want to get on with our lives": Night & Day music venue back in court over row about noise

“This is because for years Blue Star and Pemberton (private taxi firms) have been cheaper than us and they had two increases in the last 12 months and are now dearer than us.

“If we put a proper fare increase in, that could hurt us (because drivers could lose business gained from private taxis). This will give drivers £50 a week more - I see it as a 10 per cent pay increase.”

Mr Rogers said that he didn’t want to see a huge increase in fares otherwise they could lose business to private taxi firms. Despite a portion of his 81 drivers wanting more, he said he believed a £1 raise was the best course of action as he claimed private taxi companies can ‘drop their rates in the next 10 minutes’ and become cheaper than the hackney carriages.

The Wigan Taxi Drivers and Owners Coalition don’t want to have to wait another few months to get approval from Wigan Council, who regulate their prices, to be able to compete again.

Breakdown of the new tariffs and charges:

Previously