FARNHAM taxi drivers have welcomed an increase in fares which will bring journey start prices into line with neighbouring areas, but not, it seems, with some capitals around the world.
Members of the town's taxi driver association requested Waverley Borough Council to allow them a rise from £2.40 to £2.80 for journey start prices.
The start fee is in addition to the charge of £1.80 a mile.
Drivers claim the rise, which has been the first proposed for several years, is required to meet increases in maintenance, insurance and higher costs of living
In response, the council has recommended the level be set at £2.60, which will be decided at a meeting of the full council after public consultation.
Studying some fare charges around the world, The Herald found prices in this area are more than double that of capitals including Paris, New York and Sydney.
Colin Gardner, of the Association of Farnham Taxi Drivers, explained they had requested small annual increases in fares from Waverley Borough Council, rather than hit customers with higher prices in one go.
"It is important we keep up with the ever increasing costs of running a taxi, including licensing fees, insurance and maintenance.
"I run a small company with my wife, who is also a taxi driver, and have the cost of running two cars.
"We are hopefully going to get the 20p rise, but we will have to do quite a lot of jobs before we notice anything from it. We think the rise is justified."
He believed this was especially the case in the light of the daily difficulties which cab drivers face in the town. In particular, the fact there are only two official ranks in Farnham town centre (West Street and Castle Street) for more than 60 licensed drivers to use.
There is also the unresolved issue of taxi signs, which he said are inadequate for informing customers of their location.
He pointed out that cabbies pay more than £180 each for use of ranks.
Another significant problem has been that of residents and tradesmen parking in their limited spaces at peak hours, which Mr Gardner said was "damaging business".
However, he conceded that the borough council is unlikely to allow more prominent taxi signs in view of Farnham being an architecturally sensitive area.
He added that his association continues to hold twice-yearly discussions with the council on pay and conditions and a rise of 20p was "a small price to pay for a valuable service".
Here is how Farnham taxi services currently match up to other areas and countries:
Farnham proposed start rate: £2.60
Rushmoor: £2.40; Guildford: £2.60; Sydney: start rate three dollars (£1.07) plus 1.07 dollars per kilometre; New York: start rate two dollars plus 30 cents (£1.28) per 1/5 mile; Paris: two Euros start (£1.30) plus 0.60 Euros per kilometre.