NORTH Ayrshire residents face a hike in taxi fares if a new proposed scale is accepted. 

Yesterday (Wednesday) North Ayrshire Council’s Licensing Committee voted to agree the new tariffs for the local area which will now go out to consultation. 

Starting rates could now begin at £2.80 as a flat minimum with an extra 10p being added for every 1/18th of a mile or additional waiting time of up to 25 seconds. 

And zone charges could return to North Ayrshire as well with an extra 50 per cent being added to the fare when crossing over zones, for example from the Largs to the Garnock Valley or for journeys taking place between midnight at 7am.

And there will be a new tariff for after midnight and on specific public holidays which will see fares start at £3.20 and if a Bank Holiday is on a weekend, the following Monday is treated for this tariff as a Bank Holiday
Punters will also face a hike of 50 per cent if more than four passengers are travelling in a car and the higher charge will apply for the whole journey, and could incorporate zone changes, even if passengers leave the taxi before the end of the journey. 

Double time will still be charged on certain days but it will only be on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

The new rates were put forward after a meeting between taxi representatives and council members. 

If they are agreed and there are no appeals, the fares will come into effect in December of this year.