TAXI chiefs are to clash today over proposals to hike fares in Southampton by around ten per cent.

The Southampton Hackney Association (SHA), which represents the city’s hail and ride cabs, wants councillors to approve the first rise in the city for two years.

But the boss of a rival trade body the Southampton Trade Association warned the proposed increases would be “suicidal” for drivers.

STA chairman Clive Johnson said: “I’m not saying we couldn’t put up a slight increase but if we crucify the public they are not going to get into our taxis.”

He claimed a majority of his 416 members, mostly private hire drivers, objected to a fare increase.

SHA chairman Ian Hall, who represents 126 Hackney Carriage Drivers, said high petrol and insurance costs, increased permit charges, a new council requirement for two MoTs a year, and compulsory £710 spy cameras in cabs, had left many drivers struggling. The council is now proposing a ten per cent rise in the cost of a taxi licence from £150 to £165. “We think it's reasonable at this time,” he said.

A SHA survey of the city’s 480 Hackney Carriage drivers and proprietors, found a majority of the 161 respondents, backed a fare increase. An earlier request to raise fares during the recession was thrown out by councillors, but they agreed to put the same proposal out to consultation this spring.

If the new table of fares is approved by councillors, a typical a three-mile trip – for example from Bitterne Park Triangle to St Mary’s Stadium – will go up from £6.80 to £7.40 by day (8.8 per cent) and from £8.70 to £9.50 at night (9.2 per cent). A five-mile journey, for example from the city centre to the airport, would go up from £9.60 to £10.60 (10.4 per cent) during the day, and at night from £12.20 to £13.50 (10.7 per cent).

However, Christmas and New Year fares will be reduced from £4.40 to £3.90 a mile.

Over the past decade fares in Southampton have dropped from among the most expensive in the country to 116th of 380 authorities, according to a trade survey.