Licence fees cut for black cabs and private hire taxis in Wolverhampton
Licence fees for black cab and private hire taxis have been cut in a bid to help support the trade in the Black Country.
Chiefs at Wolverhampton Council made the move after hearing how coronavirus has had a severe impact on drivers' income.
Passenger journeys fell to record lows during lockdown with the licence fee cuts being implemented for 18,000 drivers immediately.
Councillor Alan Bolshaw, chairman of the council’s licensing committee, said: “The fees for taxi and private hire licence renewals have been slashed by the Licensing Committee.
"Fees have been reduced on average by around 30 per cent. A driver renewing a badge will now only pay £40, with the associated vehicle fee being reduced to £135.
"We know that many drivers and their families have experienced great hardship during the lockdown. Nevertheless, they have endeavoured to provide a vital service for key workers.
"We will continue to do everything we can to help the drivers during this difficult period, within the rules allowed by legislation."
Changes, which apply to hackney carriages or private hire vehicles, will see the one-year driver renewal fee being cut from £59 to £40.
Two-year driver renewal fees have been reduced from £110 to £75, with the three-year renewal fee dropping from £140 to £100.
The annual cost to licence a vehicle, which must be less than 10 years old, has reduced from £185 to £135.