Taxi operators have criticised Aberdeenshire Council for failing to hold public events allowing them to raise concerns about a drastic increase in fees.
The local authority has proposed the rises for a range of businesses and activities to cover costs, but owners of taxi companies claim they are being unfairly treated.
Paul Anderson, managing director of Central Taxis, and William Gauld, managing director of Allways Taxis are incensed at how the increases are being implemented.
The pair expected to get the chance to voice their frustrations, but the council has confirmed no public meeting will be held about the fees until the Licensing Sub-Committee decides whether to approve the changes.
Mr Anderson said: “For companies like ours, these fee increases are a lot. Window cleaners work similar length days to us but their fee is going up £3.
“Instead, we get a £26 rise for driver licence fee, £39 rise for vehicle licence, a £35 rise if we want to change the vehicles and now have a £40 charge for a vehicle substitution if one is away for a test.
“There are roughly 4,000 taxis in Aberdeenshire, so for driver fees alone that has gone from the council getting roughly £376,000 to £480,000.
An Aberdeenshire Council spokesman confirmed the council was working on “a timeline” for the next fares review, but added that “by law” all licencing costs must be met from licencing income.
Mr Gauld said: “I would guess 90% of school buses and taxis are from private companies, so what are we meant to do?
“I’ve been driving taxis for 17 years and my driver licence was £40 for years until a couple of years ago it rose to £81 and then again to £94.”
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