Watford taxi fares could be set to soar 19 per cent

The maximum cost of a journey from Watford is fixed by law, and changing it requires a borough council review and consultation.

At the request of the Watford Hackney Carriage Drivers’ Association, the council has put two surveys online, one for drivers and one for passengers.

A survey is available online for passengers to fill out as part of the consultation (Image: Unsplash)

Licensing committee chair, councillor Richard Wenham, said: “The council recognises the significant impact that the cost-of-living crisis is having on individuals and families, which prompted us to declare a state of emergency on this issue.

“However, we also acknowledge that the taxi industry and its drivers are similarly affected by this crisis.”

One of the options is to raise fares in line with inflation over the six years since the tariff was last reviewed, which would mean a 19% rise.

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Last year local taxi drivers told the Watford Observer that “the average taxi driver is struggling to make ends meet” largely due to rising petrol prices, competition from rideshare apps like Uber, and an inability to raise prices.

However, there were also fears a tariff rise could make licensed taxis even less competitive.

Another option raised in the survey, available from February 3 to 17, is to conduct a more detailed review into the tariff and specific areas which require change.

• View the passenger survey here
• View the driver survey here
• Written comments can also be submitted, details here

At the last review the speed at which fares tick up over longer journey distances and times was increased. The survey asks if this would be a good idea to do again.

Currently, a taxi driver can charge £2.20 for the first 109.7 metres, or 25.7 seconds, of a normal journey. They can then charge 20p for each additional 64 metres, or 15 seconds, until the fare reaches £4.60 when they can charge 20p for every 128 metres, or 31 seconds, after that.

This is higher for groups of six or more and for journeys between 11pm and 6am or during a public holiday.

If changes are proposed after the consultation closes, details will then be subject to a further public consultation.