Taxi fares in Ipswich rise by 20p to keep trade running.

Council chiefs have decided to raise taxi fares in Ipswich by 20p to help keep the industry ‘in business’.

Councillor Neil MacDonald requested backing for the hike from executive councillors yesterday evening, following a request from the Ipswich Station Taxi Tenants Association.

The council normally adjusts charges once a year to response to increases in costs associated with taxi services, such as gasoline and insurance.

The planned rise was 2.55%, in line with the average inflation rate in the year preceding May, which equates to 20p each two-mile ride.

Another alternative presented was to leave the fares unchanged, while a third option was to set a new rate.

Mr MacDonald stated that the adjustment was necessary to keep cabbies “in business” during difficult times, as the costs of operating a taxi have risen in recent years.

Council leader Neil MacDonald(Image: Phil Smart)

It implies that the day charge for a typical two-mile ride will rise from £7.80 to £8 based solely on distance; night and Christmas prices would rise at the same rate to £10 and £11.80. More than 100 drivers were consulted, and the majority agreed that the improvements were reasonable.

Councillor Ian Fisher, head of the Conservative group at the borough council, stated that although the proposals did not constitute a significant rise, efforts should be made to maintain Ipswich taxis inexpensive when compared to other authorities. Ipswich is the 86th most costly out of 344 jurisdictions for two-mile daytime journeys.

Mr MacDonald predicted that the authority would decline in the rankings when other councils contemplated their own rises. The ideas received five votes in support and one against among executive councillors.

The revised fares will be effective November 5. The increase in charges comes after Ipswich Borough Council launched a new taxi rank on the waterfront.

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