There’s mixed news for island taxi users under a proposal to change the fare structure.
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar is currently reviewing the present level of fares for taxi and private hire car licensing.
Daytime weekday fares would increase by around 25%, under proposed changes.
But its good news for weekend and overnight users as fares would stay the same from Friday midnight until 7am Mondays.
In effect, the present weekend rate now becomes the norm -
Taxi fare rise on the cards
14 December 2014
A total of 42 responses from taxi drivers were made to the initial council consultation. Eight wished fares to remain unchanged while 34 people desired fares be altered.
The proposed change of daytime, weekday fares would see a 72p hike in the first 3/4mile; a 9p increase in each 1/4mile thereafter, and a 6p rise in each minute of waiting time.
This would mean an 81p increase in the first mile of any taxi journey, with a five mile travel going up from £8.81 to £11.06 during the week.
Councillors have agreed that any changes to taxi fares will be effective from March and the local authority will be advertising the proposed alterations as the Comhairle seeks further public consultation.