SCOTLAND’s Traffic Commissioner has reserved judgement on whether Scottish Borders Council acted unfairly in imposing a region-wide freeze on taxi fares.

Following a two-hour hearing in Galashiels on Friday, deputy commissioner Richard McFarlane said he required more information from the dissenting operators and the local authority, which licenses 355 taxis.

The hearing had been called after two operators appealed against last November’s decision by SBC’s executive committee to peg the maximum flag rate – the amount shown on the meter at the start of each journey – at current levels for the year commencing December 1, 2014.

In their evidence of Friday, David Cox and Michael Howell, who run taxi businesses in Peebles and Galashiels respectively, contended that, in so doing, councillors had failed to honour and apply a formula, agreed back in 2008, which took account not only of the flag rate, but also mileage and waiting times.

The pair claimed that although SBC held a series of consultation meetings last year, the trade was asked only about a possible 7% increase in the flag rate and no other aspect of the formula.

The poor turnout at these meetings was cited when councillors agreed to freeze the flag rate at its current off-peak level of £2.15 for cars and £3.25 for larger vehicles.

On Friday, council solicitor Ron Kirk defended the way SBC had handled the review of fares.

After considering final submissions, Mr McFarlane decided to adjourn proceedings.

“The Commissioner has asked both parties [operators and council] to provide further written evidence,” said a spokesperson for the Traffic Commissioner.

“When this information has been considered, the Commissioner will either make a decision based on this evidence or reconvene the hearing.” Despite the freeze in fares, SBC agreed last week to increase the price of a three-year taxi operators’ licence from £573 to £588. Taxi and private hire drivers’ licences will rise from an annual £82 to £84 from April 1.

SCOTLAND’s Traffic Commissioner has reserved judgement on whether Scottish Borders Council acted unfairly in imposing a region-wide freeze on taxi fares.

Following a two-hour hearing in Galashiels on Friday, deputy commissioner Richard McFarlane said he required more information from the dissenting operators and the local authority, which licenses 355 taxis.

The hearing had been called after two operators appealed against last November’s decision by SBC’s executive committee to peg the maximum flag rate – the amount shown on the meter at the start of each journey – at current levels for the year commencing December 1, 2014.

In their evidence of Friday, David Cox and Michael Howell, who run taxi businesses in Peebles and Galashiels respectively, contended that, in so doing, councillors had failed to honour and apply a formula, agreed back in 2008, which took account not only of the flag rate, but also mileage and waiting times.

The pair claimed that although SBC held a series of consultation meetings last year, the trade was asked only about a possible 7% increase in the flag rate and no other aspect of the formula.

The poor turnout at these meetings was cited when councillors agreed to freeze the flag rate at its current off-peak level of £2.15 for cars and £3.25 for larger vehicles.

On Friday, council solicitor Ron Kirk defended the way SBC had handled the review of fares.

After considering final submissions, Mr McFarlane decided to adjourn proceedings.

“The Commissioner has asked both parties [operators and council] to provide further written evidence,” said a spokesperson for the Traffic Commissioner.

“When this information has been considered, the Commissioner will either make a decision based on this evidence or reconvene the hearing.” Despite the freeze in fares, SBC agreed last week to increase the price of a three-year taxi operators’ licence from £573 to £588. Taxi and private hire drivers’ licences will rise from an annual £82 to £84 from April 1.