Taxi fares rise by 20p to aid toiling drivers

TAXI fares in Edinburgh are set to increase by 20p at the end of the month.

The rise is designed to help struggling cabbies pay fuel bills and will see the 20p added on at the end of every journey.

It was advertised by the council over the summer and received no objections, so the changes will come into force on October 24, if approved by the council's regulatory committee tomorrow.

The increases are being viewed as "interim" changes ahead of a full fares review in the coming months. The previous review took place last November, when prices were frozen at May 2006 levels.

Fares currently start at 1.50 before 6pm on weekdays, and 2.50 at night and at weekends, rising in increments of 25p based on time and distance.

Taxi drivers have told how their wages have plummeted by up to 3000 a year as they pay for more expensive fuel.