Consultation leads to revised plan for Great Yarmouth taxi fares

Fares for hackney carriages - taxis that do not have to be booked in advance - are regulated by local authorities and Great Yarmouth Borough Council last updated the borough's tariff in 2013.

Over the summer taxi users and operators were asked for their thoughts on plans to update fares for the first time in nine years, as required by the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976.

Feedback during the consultation included support for the updated fares, but concerns were raised by several taxi drivers about the new initial starting price and the impact this would have on customers wanting shorter journeys. Most fares are based on an initial fee, and then an additional charge based on the length of the journey.

As a result, the licensing committee will now consider a revised set of tariffs at its meeting on September 14.

Under the revised proposals, an example six-mile daytime journey might cost £16 rather than the current £14.20, with a night time trip rising from £18.80 to £20.90. Different rates would apply on Sundays and over the Christmas and New Year period.

The committee could choose to stick with the existing fees, adopt the revised proposals, or agree a fresh set of tariffs.