THE COUNCIL’s Licensing Committee has agreed to adopt a single fare rate across the board for all taxis in the county. The decision was taken at Thursday’s Licensing Committee despite objections from a number of cab drivers with one objector describing the rise in fares as ‘illconceived’. Representatives of taxis firms from Haverfordwest, Tenby, Saundersfoot, Pembroke and Milford Haven attended the meeting. Following a complaint from a disabled person who had been charged with additional fares it was considered that the council was in breach of the equalities act.

The committee therefore made the decision to reduce the number of rates from eight to four and adopt a rate table to similar rate to other authorities in Wales. The Council’s Director of Development added that the change would help them comply with the Equality Act 2010. The tariff for 4-person vehicles will be charged at £4.10 for the first mile with an additional 20p for each 118 yards covered after. Tariffs for vehicles with five to eight passengers will also see a rise. For eight passengers in one car the tariff 1 charge currently stands at £3.50 but the new tariff will be double to £7.00. Tariff 2 for the same amount of passengers will rise from £4.60 for the first mile to £10.00, an increase of 117.39%.

Gary Slack, from Gary’s Taxis, spoke on behalf of objectors saying: “The ramifications will be spread wide across all areas. Contracts such as school runs will now be seen as overcharging. There is a very real chance that if costs aren’t met there is a real concern that some of these vehicles will be forced off the road. How can you charge £10 for one mile? This is an ill-conceived table of fares. This is ludicrous, we don’t want to charge that much. There will be no end of complaints. With these new proposals it would be cheaper to have two cars rather than one, the whole set up is ridiculous.

All this is to do with one complaint.” Cllr Wynne Evans said: “I am quite concerned about some of this; some of this is a little bit worrying.” Cllr Reg Owens added: “One incident was reported and this is very much an over-reaction to it. We wouldn’t have access throughout the county if it wasn’t for these people. It could be about, going round on an area basis educating taxi drivers and put everyone straight to make them more comfortable. It is a much needed service and I would urge common sense.” Cllr Peter Stock said: “I have great concerns about this.

This is an important issue and I want it to be a fair balance for the whole of Pembrokeshire.” The meeting then went into private session where members discussed the proposed charges in greater detail. After the meeting had reconvened, Cllr Jon Davies said: “We need to be as fair as we can. We should comply and after twelve months we will review this decision.” Cllr Daphne Bush added: “This is the safest route and we are trying to do things fairly at the moment.” Cllr Reg Owens then moved that they implement the proposals set forward by the taxi drivers and review it in twelve months’ time. That was supported by Cllr Stock but when it came to the vote no one else gave their support and the motion was dismissed.

Cllr Owens went on to say: “The DDA (Disability Discrimination Act) is enforced now. Everybody should adhere to it. We’ve got to comply with the DDA and a bit of education wouldn’t go amiss; a lot of people are ignorant of it.” Cllr Davies’ motion was then voted on with six supporting and three voting against. Speaking after the meeting, Gary Slack said they would hope to go to the Ombudsman about the decision and added that they would be seeking compensation from the council. The new tariffs will take effect from October 20.