Fuel prices cause taxi fare hike

Hackney carriage fares in a Teesside town are to be increased due to the rising cost of petrol and diesel.

Hartlepool Borough Council has approved an increase in the average tariff for the black cabs by 7% from 1 September.

Licensing officer Ian Harrison said the move was an attempt to protect the income of Hackney operators in the face of "rocketing" fuel prices.

The increase means the average one-mile trip will rise by 10p, while a two-mile journey will cost 30p extra.

Mr Harrison said: "There has not been a rise in Hackney Carriage fares since April last year and since then the price of fuel has rocketed - diesel is 27% higher than it was last year.

"Any rise in fares is regrettable and the fare that the council has approved is the maximum a Hackney carriage driver could charge.

"We have to try and balance the opportunity for the driver to generate a reasonable level of income, whilst representing good value for the travelling public."