By Julian Whittle

Last updated at 11:37, Tuesday, 11 September 2012

Taxi fares in Carlisle are likely to be frozen this year.

Jim Messenger: ‘Tariff will be reviewed again in September 2013’

The city council reviews the level of fares every autumn.

Last year councillors approved an increase of 20p in the flagfall – which applies to the first 0.7 miles of each journey – adding 4.1 per cent to the cost of a two-mile trip.

But this year the city council’s licensing manager Jim Messenger is recommending there is no increase, largely because fuel costs have fallen sharply offsetting increases in insurance and maintenance.

Overall, taxi drivers’ costs are almost unchanged.

A report to the regulatory panel, which meets tomorrow, says: “In view of the small, 0.02 per cent rise in the retail price index for transport costs, members are recommended not to approve an increase in the hackney carriage tariff for the next 12 months.

“The tariff will be reviewed again in September 2013 where the RPI will be calculated over a two-year period.”

Taxi fares in Carlisle used to be the second highest in Cumbria. However, increases elsewhere mean they are now close to the average.

A typical two-mile journey costs £5.30 in Carlisle.

That compares with £6 in South Lakeland, £5.50 in Eden and £5.40 in Barrow but only £4.85 in Allerdale and £4.60 in Copeland.

JWhittle@cngroup.co.uk

First published at 11:25, Tuesday, 11 September 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk