Taxi fares are to rise in the early hours to encourage more drivers to work and hopefully help to stamp out town centre violence.
The proposals will be considered by the council's licensing committee at its meeting on Monday and are expected to be given the green light.
In a report to the committee, technical services director David Watts said the proposals had been discussed with the Southend Taxi Drivers Association, which had suggested most of the changes.
Violence in the town centre has been put down to a lack of available taxis and it is hoped by encouraging more drivers to work, the incidents can be cut down.
Mr Watts said the proposal, which was worked out under a formula agreed with the association, was for an increase of an average 3.45 per cent in charges across the board.
This would mean a one mile journey would rise from £2.90 to £3, while one of ten miles would go up from £16.30 to £17.
Mr Watts said a working group was giving consideration to crime and disorder problems in the town late at night.
He added: "Concern has been expressed at the lack of taxi availability when nightclubs in the town close.
"While it has been identified this is linked to the violence which drivers may experience late at night, an extra charge has been proposed to encourage more drivers to work at this time."
The proposal is that between 9pm and midnight the night charge of £1 should be retained, but this should be increased to £2.80 between midnight and 4am.
From 4am to 6am, the charge will revert to £1.
Published Tuesday, June 24, 2003
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