Black cab fares to rise

BLACK cab fares in the capital are going up and could rise again as early as next January.

From April 5, London taxi fares will increase by an average of 0.7%, Transport for London (TfL) announced today.

TfL said the below-inflation increase was the lowest since it took responsibility for licensing taxis in 2000 and the rise equated to just 9p more on an average fare.

Helen Chapman, TfL's taxi and private hire general manager, said: "This year's increase... seeks to cover any changes in the costs of running a black cab while continuing to provide passengers with value for money.

"As part of our ongoing commitment to licensing a world-class taxi service, we will be conducting a number of reviews over the coming year, including whether increases in taxi fares and tariffs should be introduced at the start of each year, in line with London's Tube, rail and bus network."

By Peter Woodman, Press Association Transport Correspondent