§ Mr. McNultyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement about London taxi fares. [80065]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonThe Secretary of State is making an Order increasing London taxi fares by 4.32 per cent. on average with effect from Saturday 24 April 1999. The new tariff will incorporate a minimum charge of £1.40 (including a hire charge of £1.00) for the first 438 metres (479.2 yards) or 96 seconds. The rate will then be 20p for every 219 metres (239.6 yards) or 48 seconds until the fare exceeds £10.00, and 20p for each 146 metres (159.7 yards) or 32 seconds thereafter.
In addition, the Order will increase the supplements for evenings, nights, weekends and public holidays, which have not been increased since the early 1980s. The supplement for hirings during weekday evenings and during the day on Saturdays will therefore go up from 40p to 60p; the supplement for night-time hirings on weekdays and hirings around Sundays and public holidays will increase from 60p to 90p; and the supplement for hirings over the Christmas and New Year period will increase from £2.00 to £3.00.