Coventry black taxis set for much debated tariff increase to combat rising fuel costs
Updated: Jun 20, 2022
Coventry's black cab drivers will get a vital tariff increase to combat the huge spike in fuel costs and cost of living.
The rise in fares was approved at a meeting of the Cabinet Member for City Services this week. The increase is the first since 2014.
From 1 August, passengers hailing a Coventry black cab will have to pay £3.80 as a starting rate and 30p per 1/10th of a mile there after during the daytime.
Currently cabbies charge £2.80 with 25p incremental increases.
The taxi trade were split in its decision to implement the rise with over 40% backing the decision to increase fares and a third wanting the tariffs to remain the same.
Large fare rises have been granted across most regions of the UK.
Research from TaxiPoint shows the soaring price of diesel is costing the UK’s taxi drivers THOUSANDS of pounds more in bills compared to prices just 12-months ago.
The month of May saw average diesel prices climb to new heights with a litre going up to £1.83, a hike of more than 5p which takes the cost of a complete tank above £100 for the first time ever. A full tank of petrol also hit the landmark cost of £95.
A litre of unleaded rose from £1.63 at the start of May to £1.74 by the close. This was less than a penny short of the all-time biggest rise recorded in March when a litre of petrol jumped by 11.61p.
In June 2021 the cost of diesel was just starting to rise and stood at £1.30 per litre. Fast forward 12-months and the cost per litre has rocketed by a shocking 53p per litre.
Cabbies driving the popular TX4 diesel vehicles and travel a modest 150-miles per shift could now be looking at increased fuel bills of nearly £3,500 per year should diesel fuel prices break through the £2 per litre barrier.
