COUNCILLORS are meeting to discuss plans to increase fees for taxi drivers again - with prices higher than in Rotherham and Doncaster and broadly in line with Sheffield.

Last year, a review of the Hackney carriage and private hire drivers, operators and vehicle licence fees was conducted with an increase of ten per cent confirmed.

Currently, a driver pays the council £150 for a one-year licence and £240 for three years this is set to increase to £165 and £264 respectively.

Operators will see their fees rise by £12.60 for one year and £25.40 for five years and drivers will also see a further £18 increase on their vehicle fees.

The three-year driver fee is broadly in line with Sheffield Council’s £268 and much higher than the £228 in Rotherham and £206 in Doncaster.

A report states: “As part of this exercise, consultation has taken place with representatives from the local authority finance department who have confirmed the methodology used and the fees calculated are reasonable.

“It is anticipated that the fees will be reviewed in 12 months following the officers’ continued time monitoring and therefore the anticipated level of income generated will be subject to a further report.

“Officers will continue to work closely with the private hire and or Hackney Carriage Associations via the trade liaison group and the planned changes have been communicated accordingly.”

The plans were put to public consultation and a total of six objections were received - including one respondent claiming the plans are ‘totally illogical’.

One objection states: “I am objecting to the proposed increases as I don’t see or receive anything in return.

“The office is never staffed and trying to contact is really hard.

“You have to depend on someone calling into the office to pick some emails up and hope yours is one.

“The only time we see anyone is when you run a safety seminar in the town hall, which is just a routine obligation which achieves very little.”

Another added: “I am concerned that the operators license does not reflect the number of vehicles working under that license.

“It is totally illogical that myself operating two vehicles is paying he same as a company operating with 150 plus vehicles.”

Councillors will discuss plans the proposals at a meeting this week where they will be asked to set a date for when the fees - if they remain the same - come into force.