Newport taxi drivers meet over fees hike (From South Wales Argus)

Newport taxi drivers meet over fees hike

10:20am Tuesday 4th September 2012 in News

DOZENS of taxi drivers are expected to head to Newport Civic Centre this morning to join a meeting over a plan to hike taxi fees.

Taxi drivers are being consulted over a plan for a range of rises in taxi fees, aimed to plug a deficit in the Newport Council taxi service of more than £60,000.

It's been claimed that the rises – which are higher for older cars than younger cars – will bring in a taxi age limit via the back door.

Drivers with cars older than 12-years could face paying licence fees of £458 a year, while owners of cars aged between 3 and 12 years would pay £258.

Currently, private hire vehicle owners pay £142 a year while hackney carriage drivers pay £152 a year.

Some drivers are planning a protest outside the Newport Council building this morning, ahead of the licensing committee meeting.