Stevenage Borough Council is asking local residents and taxi drivers whether they think fares should go up.

The authority is holding an annual consultation, with respondents invited to give their views on three different options.

Two of the options would see fares rise, while the third would keep fares at the same level.

Option one is to leave the minimum fare - currently £3.60 - unchanged, but to increase the mileage tariffs by 10 per cent at all times of the day.

For journeys within Stevenage, this would mean an overall fare increase that is below the rate of inflation, which was measured at 8.7 per cent in May 2023.

Option two would see a larger increase in fares, with a 10 per cent increase in mileage tariffs accompanied by a 20 pence rise in the minimum fare, to £3.80 from £3.60.

The third option would leave both the minimum fare and the mileage tariffs unchanged - making trips more affordable for customers, but meaning that drivers would receive a real terms cut in their income.

READ MORE: Man arrested on suspicion of sexual communications with a child

A journey of three miles - for example, from the railway station to St Nicholas Park - would currently cost £9 when taken between 6am and 11pm.

Under the proposed options, that journey would now cost £9.60, £9.80 or £9 for options one, two and three respectively.

Residents and drivers have until Thursday, July 6 to submit their responses on the council's website, ahead of the council implementing the agreed tariffs on July 20.