Taxi firm boss hits out at increase in licensing fees
A TAXI company has hit out at council proposals to hike up the cost of private hire vehicle licences calling the news ‘diabolical’.
South Derbyshire District Council said the proposed increase in fees would bring the authority in line with other councils but the owner of Bloors Private Hire Company said it could mean the closure of taxi firms.
The proposals will include raising the fee for the vehicle licence by £13 from £260 a year to £273, while it will cost £212 for an operators licence as of April, a rise from £202.
A driver’s licence will increase from £93 to £98, while the fee for the vehicle transfer will be £38 from £22 — the biggest hike at £16 a year.
The private hire knowledge test and retest of vehicles will increase by £1.
The owner of the 30-year-old taxi firm, in Woodville, Swadlincote, said: “It is diabolical. Our drivers already do an NVQ and have to pass a CRB check, as well as the drivers’ assessment.
“I pay for it and they pay me back, that’s already about £450.
“The new proposed figures are five per cent above the rate of inflation, the last time it went up it was 10 per cent.
“It is hard to say what it will mean to us as £13 doesn’t seem much but I am already paying for renewal licences each year.
“It is just unfair and many businesses will have to shut down. You don’t see any starting up.
“The taxi fees will have to go up anyway because of the price of diesel.
“I won’t be objecting as there is just no point, it is already a done deal.”
A spokesman for South Derbyshire District Council said: “The proposed increases cover the cost of inflation and bring us in line with other councils in the area.
“Licensing private hire drivers and vehicles is of paramount importance to us to ensure members of the public are kept safe.
“These proposals, which we are currently consulting on, will cover the cost of this service. We will listen to any representations put forward.”
Anyone wanting to object may do so in writing to The Licensing Manager, South Derbyshire District Council, Civic Offices, Civic Way, Swadlincote, Derbyshire, DE11 0AH.
