TAXI fares in Edinburgh are to go up from the start of next year.
However, a draft report on fare increases shows controversial late night "party tariff" plans are to be abandoned after concerns it could deter people from taking a cab to get home safely.
The inflation-busting 2.1 per cent general fare increase to rates, set by Edinburgh City Council, will take a two-mile taxi journey after 10pm to £6.60, nearly 20p above the current Scottish average for the same journey.
After 6pm at Christmas 2015 and New Year fares for journeys under half a mile rise from £3.10 to £3.50, but the most expensive Festive night-time tariff of £4.10 is removed.
A standard rate fare stays at £2.10 but that will get travellers a shorter distance.
The party tariff has been abandoned after protests, including from Lothian MSP Kezia Dugdale, who urged a rethink of the scheme.
The candidate for the deputy labour leadership said earlier she had made direct representations on the issue and the axing of the plans would be welcomed.
The report claimed the research showed "62.2% per cent of the public are currently happy with fares".
"However, the figure dips slightly for journeys after 6pm.
"Research indicated the public would not support higher evening fares, even if this increased the availability of taxis."
It said it is not supported by the trade and added "it is, therefore, proposed the increase in fares between 12am and 5am is not approved".
Tony Kenmuir, of Central Radio Taxis, said drivers were content with an increase that would cover expenses, such as fuel increases.
He said: "Our recommendation to the council has been very much that they make small increments. When you take in costs of parts and costs of fuel and other things it is not a rise in real terms. We are quite satisfied to have a modest increase."
Cameron Rose, Edinburgh Tory group leader, said: "People looking for taxis will welcome the rejection of another fare tariff after midnight.
"It keeps things simple and avoiding a fare rise for late night journeys is good news for users.
"But the rate for after midnight should be kept under review because taxi drivers need an incentive to work the anti-social hours after midnight."
The council paid consultants Halcrow £17,000 to conduct research on fares increases, including the party tariff as "Objective One". It carried out 507 surveys across Edinburgh.
Halcrow's report said "discussion with the trade identified they did not feel the need to introduce at this time". It added: "The trade are very aware of the economic situation and did not wish to pursue this during this fare review".
The draft Halcrow report to go before councillors at the regulatory committee next week said: "The majority of authorities have two tariffs - one for day time and one for night time and these apply across the whole week.
The report adds: "The time that the night-time tariff applies does vary with the earliest commencing at 6pm and the latest at 11pm. Dundee, Glasgow and Birmingham have introduced a separate night time tariff for weekends.
"Edinburgh's night-time tariff commences the earliest of all benchmarked authorities.
"Most of the benchmarked authorities night time tariff commences after 7pm. However in Edinburgh it is our understanding 6pm is also when the night-time shift drivers commence."
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