Council Supports Taxi Trade By Planning Fee Cuts

East Riding of Yorkshire Council is planning to reduce the licence fees paid by taxi owners and drivers as part of its support for the taxi trade.

The council is one of few across the UK that is suggesting no increase in the fees, which are already among the lowest in the country.

From 23 January – 28 February, the taxi and private hire trade can give their views on the council’s plan to reduce the fees they pay to be on the road. It will be the third year running that the council has maintained or reduced them.

Councillor Jackie Cracknell, the council’s portfolio holder for community involvement and performance, said:

“Taxi and private hire owners provide an essential transport service to the public, particularly in rural areas, and we are doing everything we can to support the trade.”

“By working to keep our own costs low, we are passing our efficiencies on to the taxi trade which, we hope, will in turn help East Riding’s residents.”

The proposed reduced fees affect 257 private hire vehicles, 157 taxis and up to 600 drivers. The council is recommending the licence for a new hackney carriage or private hire vehicle is reduced to £130 a year from the current £138.

With the renewal fee currently costing £117 a year for each vehicle, but the council is recommending that it should drop to £110.

Drivers’ annual badges are currently £55. Additional reductions will be offered to owners and drivers who apply and pay electronically.

Local authorities are required by law to maintain another Taxi Licensing Account to finance the council’s work in this area and it has no impact on levels of council tax.