Due to the recent rise in inflation, the overall cost of living and increased fuel prices, Runnymede Council is considering a review of the current Hackney Carriage fare.
The last fare increase in Runnymede was in July 2022 and although a survey on increases was made earlier this year, we only had 3 responses.
Nationally and locally many Councils have increased fares recently or are considering doing so. Fares for the surrounding Council Boroughs are shown below for comparison.
This comparison demonstrates the recent increases in surrounding areas have left Runnymede fares and the bottom end of the scale.
If you have an opinion on fares complete survey online by 20 November 2023.
Hackney carriage fares survey 2023
The matter will then be discussed at a meeting of the Regulatory Committee on 3 January 2024.
You will also find the survey on the Councils taxi and private hire news web page.
Our current fare table is attached for your information.
The survey cannot give you all fare options but if you have a suggestion, please use the free text box.
One of the main costs for hackney carriage drivers is fuel, with the majority running on diesel.
The price of fuel has stabilised since last year’s highs but is again on an upward trend.
Information on fuel prices is obtained from the Automobile Association. The figures below are the
average branded garage prices for the month of June in each year supermarkets are normally
2 - 5 pence cheaper but have recently been on par or more expensive.
| Year | Petrol | Diesel |
|---|---|---|
| September 2023 | 156.8 | 160.5 |
| June 2023 | 145.0 | 147.4 |
| 2022 | 189.3 | 197.2 |
| 2021 | 131.0 | 136.1 |
| 2020 | 109.3 | 114.0 |
| 2019 | 129.2 | 133.4 |
| 2018 | 129.5 | 131.9 |
| 2017 | 116.9 | 118.1 |
| 2016 | 112.0 | 112.5 |
| 2015 | 116.5 | 121.3 |
| 2014 | 126.7 | 133.7 |
Other overheads such as vehicle replacement, servicing cost, maintenance cost (such as new tyres), depreciation and insurance costs are also significant factors for the trade. All of these will be subject to inflationary pressures as well so the cost of these may increase.
Inflation - the consumer price index, (CPI) is another measure which can be used to judge fare levels.
Year on year the figures produced by the Office of National Statistics show the following rates for the CPI:
- The Consumer Prices Index (CPI) annual inflation stood at 2.3% in the year to August 2015
- The Consumer Prices Index (CPI) annual inflation stood at 2.4% in the year to August 2016
- The Consumer Prices Index (CPI) annual inflation stood at 2.7% in the year to August 2017
- The Consumer Prices Index (CPI) annual inflation stood at 2.3% in the year to August 2018
- The Consumer Prices Index (CPI) annual inflation stood at 2.0% in the year to August 2019
- The Consumer Prices Index (CPI) annual inflation stood at 0.5% in the year to August2020
- The Consumer Prices Index (CPI) annual inflation stood at 3.0% in the year to August 2021
- The Consumer Prices Index (CPI) annual inflation stood at 9.9% in the year to August 2022
- The Consumer Prices Index (CPI) annual inflation stood at 6.7% in the year to August 2023
It would appear reasonable to suggest an increase in fares which keeps pace with inflation, although taking into account how much less our fares are compared with surrounding areas there is scope for a larger increase to help you earn similar amounts to your colleagues in other boroughs.
| Pull off/first mile | Second mile (Metred) | Subsequent miles(Metered) | Two miles | Five miles | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Runnymede | £4.10 | £3.00 | £2.50 | £7.10 | £14.60 |
| Woking | £5.72 | £2.82 | £2.82 | £8.54 | £17.00 |
| Spelthorne | £3.70 | £2.50 | £2.50 | 6.20 | £13.70 |
| Elmbridge | £6.10 | £3.30 | £3.30 | £9.40 | £19.30 |
| Surrey Heath | £4.60 | £3.20 | £3.20 | £7.80 | £17.40 |
| Windsor and Maidenhead | £6.00 | £4.50 | £4.50 | £10.50 | £24.00 |
| Guildford | £6.36 | £3.56 | £3.56 | £9.92 | £20.60 |
| Bracknell | £5.20 | £2.80 | £2.80 | £8.00 | £16.40 |
| Average | £5.38 | £3.24 | £3.24 | £8.62 | £18.34 |
As you can see most Councils do not have a different rate for subsequent miles as Runnymede currently do. It would be a sensible move to fall in line here and make the subsequent mile rate the same as the second mile rate.
To demonstrate how any increase would change the fare tables, the information below shows some examples. To demonstrate how any increase would change the fare tables, the information below shows some examples.
| New fare | New fare | New fare | New fare | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pull off/first mile | £4.50 | £5.00 | £5.20 | £5.30 |
| Second mile (Metred) | £3.20 | £3.10 | £3.30 | £3.20 |
| Subsequent miles(Metered) | £3.20 | £3.10 | £3.30 | £3.20 |
| Two miles | £7.70 | £8.10 | £8.50 | £8.50 |
| Five miles | £17.30 | £17.40 | £18.40 | £18.10 |
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