Fair argument for fare increase (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Fair argument for fare increase

11:35am Friday 27th January 2012 in Letters

Sir.– Through your newspaper, I would like to clarify the decision made at the licensing committee meeting on November 23, in respect to a proposed Hackney Carriage fare increase.

The Basingstoke and Deane Hackney Carriage Federation met with licensing officers and councillors to discuss a possible increase to the existing fare.

The licensing officers recommended to the councillors that the increase would be 60 pence per trip.

After some discussion with the federation, the councillors accepted the recommendation of the officers and the decision was passed with only two councillors objecting.

Mr Ketteringham, federation chairman, put forward a good case in respect to rising costs.

Mr Dainty (advisor), covered the sustainability of maintaining a high degree of standards within the trade. Mr Gillully (public relations) covered the increasing likelihood of there being fewer Hackney drivers in the future due to costs and lack of incentives for new people to come into the trade.

This was all taken on board by the licensing councillors, and the 60 pence increase per each individual trip was passed through to the 14-day consultation period.

I trust this will clarify the decision made by the licensing committee.

–Alex J Dunlop, secretary, and Richard Ketteringham, chairman, Basingstoke and Deane Hackney Carriage Federation.