By Victoria Brenan and Pamela McGowan

Last updated at 09:32, Monday, 26 May 2008

Cabbies in Carlisle fear some could be driven off the road by the impact of rising petrol prices and the smoking ban.

The increasing cost of fuel – which has risen to almost £1.14 a litre for unleaded – has contributed to takings being driven down by almost a third in the past year, a city driver has said.

Chris Bray, former secretary of the Carlisle Hackney Carriage Proprietors Association, revealed that both the smoking ban and the cost of fuel were hitting the taxi business in Carlisle.

“Since last summer we’ve seen a 30 per cent drop across the board in takings in Carlisle,” he said. “It’s a combination of people not having money in their pockets so not going out, staying at home because of the smoking ban, and the increasing cost of running taxi firms because of fuel prices.”

Mr Bray believes some drivers could be put out of business within 12 months if prices continue to rise.

“Thirteen pubs and clubs have shut in Carlisle in the past year – they’ve been hit by a lack of trade,” he added. “It all adds up and has a knock on effect.”

Wayne Casey, acting chairman of the Carlisle Taxi Owners Association, believes the smoking ban has had more of an effect than fuel prices.

“Raising cab fares has been on our agenda at the last couple of meetings but not many members are in favour of it because we saw them rise last November,” he said. “Having said that, we know the public will understand about the rising cost of fuel and there’s only so high it can get before something will have to happen.”

Mr Casey said trade had dropped off in the evenings over recent months and he attributed that to the smoking ban and fewer people going out. He said the association was due to meet on June 3 and was sure fuel prices would be on the agenda.

Unleaded petrol hit almost £1.14 a litre last week – up from 96p a year ago. Diesel has risen from about 97p per litre to more than £1.26.

Stuart Davidson, who runs Radio Taxis in Infirmary Street, agreed that fuel costs are hitting them.

“I do not honestly believe that people have the money to go out anymore,” he said.

“Carlisle is quickly becoming a one-night-a-week town. We used to have Buskers on a Wednesday, Ladies Night on a Thursday and regular Friday, Saturday and Sunday trade. Now more and more nights are quieter. It’s only really Saturdays that are busy.”

First published at 08:12, Monday, 26 May 2008
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk