TAXI drivers are supporting a 20 per cent increase in cab fares in East Lothian, telling licensing chiefs it is a matter of "survival".

East Lothian Council’s licensing sub-committee will be asked to consider putting up the current charges, which have remained at the same rate since 2019, at a meeting later this week.

A review of current taxi fares saw two representations on behalf of local taxi firms back the increase.

Ian Torrance, from Torrance Taxis in Dunbar, said he was speaking for himself and Robert Campbell from AC Taxis when he said that a 20 per cent rise, which he said had been introduced in Edinburgh and Midlothian, was needed.

Mr Torrance said: “East Lothian taxi fares have not increased since July 2019.

“As with many businesses, we needed to recover from Covid and a price rise sooner would possibly damage our recovery.

“However, the time has now come for survival.”

And Elvis Taxis agreed, pointing to the increase in the cost of fuel, insurance, licences and general cost of living.

Currently, taxi fares in East Lothian start at £3 and increase by 20p for each additional 40 seconds of waiting time, every additional 146.5 yards or a combination of the two. Between 6pm and 6am, the initial fare increases to £4, while a special fare in place at Christmas and New Year begins at £5 and goes up by 40p instead of 20p.

The planned new fares would start at £3.60 and increase by 24p – the 6pm-6am starting fare would be £4.80 and the Christmas and New Year fares would begin at £6 and increase by 48p.

The new increase, if approved by the committee, would also apply to the car valet charge if customers ‘misuse’ the vehicle, which would go up from £100 to £120.

The proposed new tariff will require to be put out for public comments before it can be introduced.