TAXI fares could rise across the borough for the first time in 12 years.

A public consultation is set to get underway to raise the fixed rates for hackney carriages, or taxis which are licensed to “ply for hire”, in Bury.

The rise would mean an average journey of five miles in a hackney carriage vehicle at the night time rate would rise by two pounds to £15.70.

Both hackney carriage and private hire vehicles will also benefit from a three month extension to their licences as inspections are delayed due to COVID-19.

If there are no objections to the changes proposed to the table of fares, which is set by the local authority, the increase would come into effect in weeks.

But the changes do not affect private hire vehicles or other types of taxi.

Charles Oakes, chair of the hackney drivers association, told the council’s licensing and safety on Thursday that the increase is ” a long time coming”.

However, councillors were concerned about hiking the fares during the coronavirus crisis and the impact that it would have on the trade.

Cllr Sarah Southworth said: “I can see that it’s long overdue, but I’m just wondering about the timing now.

“I appreciate that taxi drivers are struggling at the moment, but then an awful lot of the fare-paying public will be in a similar situation.

“I’m just wondering if it would perhaps discourage people from using taxis at the moment.”

Cllr Mike Smith agreed that the rise is “long overdue”, but highlighted the hike in taxi fares would total around 20 per cent which he said seems “excessive”.

Cllr Joan Grimshaw raised concerned that many people will be “just as badly off” as cabbies if they come out of the coronavirus crisis without a job.

She said: “I think it works both ways. So, for the time being, I think we should leave it be.”

But Cllr Yvonne Wright said she wants to hear what taxi drivers have to say.

She said: “Taxi drivers themselves would be the people who could say trade is terrible, it could be another nail in the coffin if it we put it up.”

Mr Oakes responded to the comments by the councillors.

He said: “There is never a right time for a fare increase. We always lose a little bit of work, but it sort of balances itself out.

“There are less hackneys in Bury now than there ever has been. Last time I looked there were around 60 vehicles.

“The cost of the charges from the council now has to be borne by a smaller number of hackney carriage drivers.

“Our members provide a service and that service has to be paid for.”

The licensing and safety panel approved the review of the Hackney Carriage Fare Table and agreed to implement the request if no objections are received.

Details of the public consultation are due to be printed in the Bury Times.