§ Mr. Bendallasked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he will now announce an increase in London taxi fares.
§ Mr. RidleyYes. I have made an order increasing London taxi fares as follows, with effect from Sunday 17 June. The overall effect will be to increase fares by about 5 per cent. on average.
The new tariff will incorporate a minimum fare of 80p—including an unchanged hiring charge of 40p—for the first 1,176 yards or four minutes. The rate will then be 20p for every 588 yards or 2 minutes up to six miles and 20p for each 392 yards or 1 minute and 20 seconds thereafter.
There are a number of increases in extra charges; namely, an increase in the charge for each additional passenger from 15p to 20p and an increase in the luggage charge from 5p to 10p. I have also decided to bring the charge for hiring on new year's eve into line with the Christmas day charge and any hiring from 8 pm on 31 December to 6 am on 1 January will therefore attract an extra charge of £2.