Black cab drivers in Birmingham could soon be able to increase their fares. The National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) has asked Birmingham City Council to help drivers amid declining numbers of hackney carriages in Brum and the cost-of-living crisis.

It has asked that ‘maximum chargeable fares’ paid by passengers be increased. “The setting of fares is a power afforded to the council,” a report said.

“It is the council’s responsibility to strike a balance between setting a fare that is acceptable to the customer and to the taxi driver”. The report said the tariff was last increased in 2022.

If the union’s proposals are given the green light, it would mean:

• The first mile charge could rise from £5.40 to £5.60.
• The mileage charge could increase from £1.92 to £2.04.
• Waiting time charges could rise to £1.78 per hour – this equates to a percentage increase of 10.5 per cent.
• Adjustment of the fare time so days start at 7am rather than 4am. Tariff two, which has higher mileage charges compared to tariff one, would apply from 10pm to 7am.
• The initial charge would remain at £3.20.
• Removal of extra charges for bank holidays.

Another proposal was put forward by an ‘individual’ amid factors such as higher prices of food and utility bills as well as the decreased number of fares. It included requests for the initial charge to be increased from £3.20 to £3.60; a change to the mileage charge and an adjustment of the fare time so nights start at 8pm.

“Officers have assessed both proposals and are recommending [the union’s proposal] is approved,” the report said. It recommended the council’s cabinet next week approves the union’s proposal as the preferred tariff for a public consultation.

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“If objections are received, a further report will be submitted to allow cabinet to consider the objections raised and to further consider the tariffs propose,” it added.