tAXI fares in the Taunton and Minehead areas are set to rise for the first time for nine years under new tariffs proposed by Somerset West and Taunton Council.

The new maximum fare rates – subject to public consultation – are scheduled to come into effect from Tuesday, December 7 and will replace the existing differing rates charged in Taunton and West Somerset.

Until now, taxis have been cheaper in West Somerset than in and around Taunton.

A spokesman for Somerset West and Taunton Council said: “We are proposing to increase the maximum fares that taxi drivers can charge for the first time in over nine years and, as required by law, are consulting the public.

“The driver of a taxi cannot charge more than the tariff but can charge less if they wish.

“There are currently two different tariffs in Somerset West and Taunton, for the two former districts of Taunton Deane and West Somerset.

The spokesman added: “These tariffs have not changed since 2010 and 2011 respectively and our proposal to increase the current fares follows a request from a taxi business.

“We are proposing to replace the two existing tariffs with one, for the whole of the Somerset West and Taunton.

“The proposed fares will come into force if there are no objections once the consultation is finished. Anyone can object to the proposed new tariff, by responding to our consultation.”

Under the new proposals, the first 400 yards of a journey will cost £2.60 and 20p for each completed 140 yards. Waiting time (each completed 35 seconds) will be 20p and a soiling charge, £100.

Hirings commencing between 10pm and 7am: +50 per cent (time and a half), for Saturdays and Sundays: +50 per cent, for public and bank holidays: +100 per cent (double time) and Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve from 6pm: +50 per cent.

The new charges would mean that a two-mile journey on a bank holiday would come to £14.40 – £1 more than it would cost currently in Taunton Deane and £2.80 more than in West Somerset.

Fares do not include any waiting time.