TAXI prices are set to rise by 10% in Glasgow to combat falling passenger numbers.

An increase in fare scales will allow drivers to charge an initial £3.30 fee, up from £3, while also adding on extra costs for distance and time spent in the cab.

1 Number of passengers using ranks has halved since 2006 Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

The plans were put forward by Dr James Cooper, of Taxi Research Partners, who carried out an independent review into taxi fares.

It comes after it was revealed that the use of black hackney ranks in the city has halved since 2006.

Dr Cooper also highlighted that the rising cost of vehicle purchase and maintenance could be behind the price hike, Glasgow Live reports.

He said: “There is a very fine balance and I want to highlight that this is a very large increase. There is a very real potential that an increase is going to create a loss in custom.

“We have been in a vicious circle for a number of years.

“The desire is to achieve a change in tariff that reflects a change in vehicle costs without penalising the passenger above the level of that change in costs.”

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The new regulations will see passengers charged 20p for every 167 yards, with an additional 20p for every 34 seconds they remain in the taxi.

There will also be changes to tariffs for different times.

Trips between 12am and 6am currently incur an additional £1 charge on weekdays, with a £2.40 charge between 12.30am and 6am on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

But new plans will see those replaced by a £1.10 addition charge for all trips made between 11pm and 6am every night.

The festive period will also see charges of £2 extra on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day (January 1).

Glasgow Taxis chairman Stephen Flynn said: “What we’ve found in the last three or four years with the app-based firms, people are moving away from using taxis.

“We supplied marshals at Central Station when they were finishing at 5.30am.

“They are now finishing at 3,30am. Footfall has dropped 50% since 2006 through the ranks.

“I’m happy with the changes and I think we really needed to go with Dr Cooper’s recommendations.”

It’s understood a date for new fare prices will be issued within the coming weeks.

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