Poor response from taxi drivers hits plan to set accurate maximum fares

THE brakes have been put on efforts to create a more accurate way of calculating maximum taxi fares in East Devon after a poor response from drivers.

- by BRADLEY GERRARD Local Democracy Reporter

Just six out of 135 Hackney carriage drivers responded to a survey by the district council that aimed to secure data to help it better set fare increases.

Anecdotal evidence from councillors and officers suggested some drivers hadn’t responded because they felt last year’s 10% rise in the maximum fare they can charge remains sufficient.

It comes after last year's rise was lower than the 15% the East Devon Taxi Association had hoped for.

Others expressed concerns about what else the data could be used for - even though the authority stressed it would only be for fare setting - and some grumbled about the cost and time it took to have their meters recalibrated for new maximum fares.