BLACK CAB drivers in Telford want to raise fares because of spiralling fuel costs, it was revealed today.

Proposed fare increases put forward by the Telford Hackney Carriage Association could see revellers paying about £2 extra for an average 10-mile journey in the town.

Bosses say an increase is needed because of the price of diesel, increases in the cost of living and proposed increases in licence application fees and other charges by the council.

Telford & Wrekin Council say the proposed increase would mean a 40 per cent rise in cost for passengers for the first mile, going up from £2.50 to £3.50.

But drivers say they already charge £3 for the first mile, and only want a 16 per cent rise.

The next four miles of travel would increase from £1.20 to £1.40 for each mile, while every mile after that would increase from £1.20 to £1.30, if the proposals are approved.

Between midnight and 7am the first mile would rise from £4 to £4.50 while on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day the first mile would increase from £5.80 to £7.

The application will be debated by members of Telford & Wrekin Council’s licensing committee at a meeting next Wednesday.

Taxi driver Malcolm Hayward today said: “We have not had an increase for many years and we are at the point where we are almost making a loss.

“We have seen insurance go up by 40 per cent, diesel go up and the cost of living.”

He added: “We are trying our best to be as fair as we can to our customers.”

Hackney carriage drivers also want to introduce a £30 soiling charge on top of a new surcharge for bookings.

On the soiling charge, Mr Hayward added: “We have not had a soiling charge since day one.”

The drivers, who have not had an increase since 2005, are also calling for hackney carriages to be fitted with a device to prevent a driver overcharging customers.

Licensing committee members have been recommended to put the proposal out to public consultation.

The meeting is at Telford’s Civic Office on March 23 at 10.30am.

By Jason Lavan