Highland taxi tariffs frozen as the trade is divided over raising fare prices

Highland Council has agreed to freeze taxi tariffs at their current rates over the objections of one Inverness firm which warned about the impact on wages and viability.

The proposals were agreed at a previous meeting in December and then put out to public consultation.

Sneckie Taxis argued that aspirations to pay a living wage to drivers as well as maintaining its Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) service meant raising tariffs.

Without the rise, proprietor Raymond Munro said it will be difficult to sustain both his business and fleet of WAVs.

Despite this, councillors on the licensing committee agreed to keep the fares as they were with the exception of the soiling charge which went up to £120, from £100.

Taxi operators will be notified of the tariff decision and will then have the option to appeal to the Traffic Commissioner within 14 days.

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