Residents have been invited to have their say on a proposed increase to the maximum Hackney Carriage fare tariff in South Lakeland.

South Lakeland District Council's (SLDC’s) Licensing Regulatory Committee voted on Monday, January 17, to raise the maximum fare by 5.4 per cent.

A 14-day consultation began on Thursday.

According to SLDC, if no adverse comment/objection is received, the changes will take effect at midnight on March 11.

But if adverse comment/objections are received then the matter will be returned for the committee's consideration.

Licensing Regulatory Committee members heard that the Hackney fare table was last put before committee in June 2016 and the decision was taken not to make an increase to the tariff.

Requests to review the table of fares were received in 2020, however this process was deferred at the time due to the council’s response to the ongoing pandemic.

A total of 274 Hackney carriage drivers were surveyed, with 51 replies, representing 18.6 per cent of the drivers contacted.

The committee was told that the tariff should be regarded as the maximum fares that can be charged.

Taxi proprietors are not tied to charging the maximum fare but are not permitted to charge more than the tariff price shown on the meter.

Any comments on the proposed changes should be made in writing no later than 11.59pm on February 10 to the Licensing Department email address at Licensing@southlakeland.gov.uk, or in writing to Licensing Department, South Lakeland House, Lowther Street, Kendal LA9 4DQ.