Dear Chair,
I am writing on behalf of the East Fife Taxi Association (EFTA) in relation to the ongoing review of the 2025/26 taxi fare scale.
You will be aware that following the publication of the Committee’s proposed fare scale, a substantial number of representations and objections were submitted by drivers, operators and representative bodies across Fife. Subsequently, operators were advised that a final decision had been delayed to allow further consideration of those submissions.
As of 22 January, this remains the only update communicated to the trade. No revised proposal, timetable, or indication of next steps has been issued.
Given the importance of the fare review to the sustainability of the taxi trade, and the need for certainty for drivers and operators, we are now seeking clarity on how the Committee intends to proceed. In particular, we would welcome confirmation of:
1. Whether the Committee intends to re-engage formally with the trade before reaching a final decision;
2. Whether a revised fare proposal will be published for consideration; and
3. The anticipated timescale for concluding the review.
For completeness, we have also written separately to Fife Council Legal Services seeking clarification on the statutory framework under Section 17 of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 and how it applies to the current position. We felt it appropriate to make the Committee aware of that correspondence.
Drivers and operators across Fife continue to face rising costs and uncertainty, and the absence of a clear process or timetable only adds to those pressures. We raise this matter constructively, with the aim of ensuring that the review process is transparent, lawful, and concluded in a timely manner.
We would appreciate a response at the Committee’s earliest convenience and remain willing to engage positively as the process moves forward.