Eight per cent hike in taxi fares

Taxi fares in Stafford will increase by eight per cent within weeks under plans to offset drivers' spiralling fuel and insurance bills.

The change will cost passengers up to 20p extra every mile. Under the scheme, after a taxi has travelled one mile, the fee will jump by 10p to £1.40 per mile.

Fares will increase at a steeper rate, the longer the journey because cab meters charge more per mile once a driver passes four miles.

After four miles, the fee per mile will increase to £1.70 from £1.50.

Booking fees will also rise from 80p to £1.

It has been prompted by petrol prices jumping from £1.12 per litre in 2008, up to £1.38 now. Diesel is meanwhile £1.40 per litre now, compared to £1.24 four years ago.

Insurance costs have also risen by 35 per cent in the same time.

The council's cabinet will decide on the recommendations on Tuesday.

The plans, by the borough's Hackney Carriage Proprietors Association, will eventually see fees rise by 11 per cent by 2014.

A report to be considered by cabinet states: "After consultation with officers the trade have now accepted, that due to the current financial climate, and to minimise the impact on the public, an 11 per cent increase in fares over the next three years, is considered to be more appropriate."

Sandwell neighbourhoods chief Councillor Ian Jones said a similar request has been made to the council by the borough's taxi association.

Fees increased have by 20 per cent in Walsall. Wolverhampton cabbies angry at a scheme to get more taxis on the streets held a go-slow in protest earlier this week. Dudley has not received a recent request for changes.