TAXI drivers in Southampton are being balloted on whether they want to increase fares.

Trade representatives had planned to ask the council to let them raise prices in January but put the request on hold to help families cover the cost of Christmas.

Now the Southampton Hackney Association (SHA), which has about 90 members, has sent ballot papers to about 480 Hackney drivers and proprietors to give them a direct say after complaints they had not signed up to the fare freeze.

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The SHA has accused the Southampton Taxi Consultative Council (STCC) and union bosses of making the decision without “proper consultation”.

SHA chairman Ian Hall said: “We are giving drivers a choice to decide whether they are happy with the status quo or want to participate in their business and have a voice.”

Under the table of fares proposed by the SHA, the daytime starting fare will go up from £2.20 to £2.60, while the nighttime one will go up from £2.95 to £3.50.

The distance after which charges go up is also changing.

It will mean a one-mile daytime journey would go up from £3.80 to £4, a threemile trip – for example from Bitterne Park Triangle to St Mary’s Stadium – will cost £7.20 instead of £6.60, while a five-mile journey, for example from the city centre to the airport, would cost £10.40 rather than £9.20. Christmas and New Year rates will be reduced.

Mr Hall said: “It’s not excessive considering the last proper pay rise was four years ago.”

The council agreed to a 20p tariff increase in July. Taxi driver representatives withdrew a request to increase fares in 2007 after a row with the council over a shake-up to the fare structure.

STCC chairman Clive Johnson said the January fare freeze was “justified”

and said the proposed fares would not work.

Mr Johnson, who said he represents 400 hackney carriage drivers, added: “It’s a stupid thing to do, with the economy even worse. I will advise my members to stick with the status quo.”

Perry McMillan, chairman of the Transport and General Workers’ Union cab section, said he had consulted well over 100 drivers and only two wanted fare rises.