The starting fare for taxis has been increased by £1 to help cabbies with the cost of living.

Medway Council’s Cabinet approved the change of the starting price from £3 to £4 earlier this week.

Councillors accepted a recommendation made by the authority’s licensing sub-committee to increase the flag rate.

It comes after Nigel Jackson, chairman of the Medway Licensed Taxi Drivers Association (MLTDA), made the request following a survey of members.

Although the starting rate will rise, rates for yards travelled will remain at 20p per 170 yards and 20p for 40 seconds of waiting time.

This is because drivers felt that increasing these rates as well would make taxis less competitive.

Cllr Tristan Osborne (Lab), portfolio holder for community safety and enforcement, said the rise would help keep the taxi industry in Medway sustainable as it would support drivers to earn a decent living.

He said: “We all wish to have a taxi trade which is profitable and supporting local people.

“This is about ensuring our industry is sustainable going forward and people who work and support our communities by helping people get around are supported and can support their families.”

Mr Jackson, speaking last month at the sub-committee, said the rise would mean cabbies could earn a sustainable living, as some drivers were having to work up to 70 hours per week to make ends meet.

He explained: “The £1 increase on the flag to some could seem quite substantial, but in relation to our costs, it will certainly help the trade to earn a sustainable living.

“With this we can attract drivers into the industry saying this is a good job to work in.”

Members of the cabinet said the rise was fair considering the increasing costs cabbies face, which was causing many to leave the industry.

Council leader Vince Maple (Lab) supported the rise, saying it would directly help drivers facing higher costs.

He said: “This is a council which takes its relationship with small and midsize enterprises seriously, and many of these taxi drivers are sole traders so they need this support.

“The flag rate hasn’t risen in 15 years – there’s not much else that hasn’t gone up in that time.

“I do think this is the right move and something taxi drivers deserve.”

Following an agreement at the meeting, there will now be a two week period from March 21 where the change is advertised and open for comments in the taxi trade.

If there are no objections then the fair rise will come into effect immediately at the end of the 14 days.