A free-for-all on taxi fares in the Rochford district could be on the cards following a decision by the full council.
Council members agreed officers should produce a detailed report on the possibility of deregulation of the fare tariff by the end of October.
The taxi licensing sub-committee's recommendations that an increase of four per cent should be approved for the coming year was also agreed by the council.
The figure is lower than the increase which was sought by the taxi trade and is likely to continue the conflict that has rumbled on for three years between the council and the operators.
Moves to look at the possibility of deregulation of the fare structure - which would effectively mean drivers and circuit operators setting their own fares - are also likely to be controversial.
Chairman of the taxi licensing sub-committee Peter Webster said after the council meeting that "nothing was cut and dried".
Published Monday August 2, 2004
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