A consultation into plans to raise the cost of taxi fares in Powys will begin this week.

Powys County Council is proposing an increase in taxi tariffs after receiving a request from local taxi operators, because of the rise in fuel costs.

Powys Licensed Taxi Drivers held a consultation exercise in the spring, in which 31 out of the 33 responses were in favour of increasing tariffs.

At the moment, the two-mile rate is is £5.40, which would rise to £6 under the proposals.

Cllr Richard Church, cabinet member for a safer Powys, whose portfolio includes taxis, said: “We are well aware that increased fuel costs are having an impact on the county’s taxi drivers.

"The current tariff has been in place since 2018 but taxi fares need to be fair to both drivers and vehicle owners in order to make a living but also affordable for the travelling public."

He added: "The proposed increase is approximately 11 per cent, this would bring fares in Powys up to comparable to the Welsh average"

The proposed fares

Vehicles up to 4 passengers

  • TARIFF 1 (DAY) 6.00 to 23.00

Flag & First Mile or 9min initial waiting time – £4.00

For each 176 yards or uncompleted part thereof – 20p | £2/mile

Waiting time – 20p/min

  • TARIFF 2 (NIGHT) 23.00 to 06.00 & Bank Holidays

Flag & First Mile or 11min initial waiting time – £4.50

For each 160 yards or uncompleted part thereof – 25p | £2.75/mile

Waiting time – 25p/min

  • TARIFF 3 (XMAS & NEW YEAR) 19.00 24th Dec – 06.00 27th Dec | 19.00 31st Dec – 06.00 2nd Jan

Flag & First Mile or 10min initial waiting time – £6.00

For each 176 yards or uncompleted part thereof – 30p | £3/mile

Waiting time – 30p/min

Vehicles with capacity of more than 4 passengers

  • TARIFF 4 (DAY) 06.00 to 23.00

Flag & First Mile or 11min initial waiting time – £4.50

For each 160 yards or uncompleted part thereof – 25p | £2.75/mile

Waiting time – 20p/min

  • TARIFF 5 (NIGHT) 23.00 to 06.00 & bank holidays

Flag & First Mile or 10min initial waiting time – £6.00

For each 176 yards or uncompleted part thereof – 30p | £3/mile

Waiting time – 30p/min

  • TARIFF 6 (XMAS & NEW YEAR) 19.00 24th Dec – 06.00 27th Dec | 19.00 31st Dec – 06.00 2nd Jan

Flag & 1st mile or 10min initial waiting time – £7.50

For each 176 yards or uncompleted part thereof – 40p | £4/mile

Waiting time – 40p/min

Soiling Charge £50 Maximum

The consultation begins on Friday July 8, and will end on Friday July 22.

Any objection to the proposed fares must be made within 14 days from Friday 8 July in writing to: Licensing Team Manager, Powys County Council, The Gwalia, Ithon Road, Llandrindod Wells, Powys, LD1 6AA or email licensing@powys.gov.uk