Issue - meetings

[To approve the proposed fare increase and contactless payment request].

Greg Bickerdike, Licensing Manager, presented a report on Hackney Carriage Fare Increase and Contactless Payments. The report outlined a request by the Hackney Carriage trade for an increase in Hackney Carriage Fares and sought Committee’s approval for the setting of appropriate fares.

It was proposed that following a number of consultations with the Hackney Carriage Trade that the fares be increased, and the Licensing Manager explained the rationale behind this.

The report also outlined the proposal that all Hackney Carriages must have the facility for customers to make contactless payments, should the customer wish to do so, as recommended by Public Health to assist infection control.

It was noted that the metered mile would now take place on the 28 February 2022 due to venue availability, and the Licensing Manager responded to questions asked.

Resolved:

That Members of the Regulatory Committee:

1. Authorised the required publishing of a notice in a local newspaper detailing the proposed fare increase and stating a consultation period during which objections regarding the increase could be made.
2. Subject to no objection following consultation, approved the proposed increases in Hackney Carriage fares.
3. Required the facility for contactless card payments within all Hackney Carriage vehicles.
4. Noted that if, at the end of the consultation period there were no objections to the proposed fare increase, implementation of the proposed increases would occur after meter recalibration at a metered mile on the 28 February 2022.
5. Noted that if, at the end of the consultation period there were objections to the proposed fare increase, a further report would be presented to the Regulatory Committee on 16 March 2022.