City Taxis in Sheffield reveal why they've hiked their prices just before Christmas

The popular Sheffield taxi company announced the price increases ahead of the Christmas period, claiming that they were changing to help cover costs.

In a statement a spokesperson for the company wrote: “This is to help drivers with increasing costs and to help City Taxis cover increasing technology and fraud costs.

“This fare will be split between the driver and City Taxis, with the driver receiving £0.10 and City Taxis receiving £0.10 per job.

“The £0.10 City receives on the fare split will not contribute to a driver’s earnings during the paying in process.

“Waiting time for all cash and card work will raise to £0.25 per minute.”

City Taxis will also be introducing a new ‘Rush Hour’ scheme which will see customers paying more during the busiest periods of the day.

The rush hour tariff will be paid on all jobs between 7am and 9am and then between 4pm and 6pm Monday to Friday.

These extra fares go straight to the driver and not to the company, City Taxis has confirmed.

The spokesperson added: “In summary drivers are £0.10 better off on all jobs, and up to £0.90 better off during the rush hours.”

Here are the new prices

1 mile – £4 in normal hours – £4 in rush hour

1.5 miles – £4.70 in normal hours – £5 in rush hour

2 miles – £5.50 in normal hours – £6 in rush hour

2.5 miles – £6.20 in normal hours – £7 in rush hour

3 miles – £7 in normal hours – £7.80 in rush hour

3.5 miles – £7.70 in normal hours – £8.5 in rush hour

4 miles – £8.40 in normal hours – £9.20 in rush hour

More than 4 miles (per half mile) – £0.70 in normal hours – £0.70 in rush hour

City has 1,500 self-employed drivers in Sheffield, some 450 have registered for the new service.

In recent years the firm bought out rivals in Sheffield, Rotherham, Barnsley, Chesterfield and Derby.