Councillors give green light to taxi fares increase

COUNCILLORS have approved a rise in taxi fares for the first time in three years.

The city council’s regulatory committee approved an increase of 8.4 per cent, which fell short of the 10.5 per cent the trade called for to cover a rise in costs in recent years.

Councillors rejected pressure from the cab trade to introduce a £2 airport charge for arrival passengers and backed officials’ recommendations.

The Edinburgh Licensed Taxi Partnership had pressured the council to raise the airport call-out charge from 80p to £2 to cover charges from BAA Edinburgh – but these were rejected by councillors.