71976-08A TAXI driver has defended proposed new fare hikes. Ian Hunt, former chairman of the Swindon Taxi Drivers' Association, insists prices must go up to stop cabbies quitting the trade.

Mr Hunt, 47, of Stratton, has been driving cabs for 14 years.

And he says an increase in late night booze-fuelled anti-social behaviour is forcing many drivers to consider their options.

Under proposals, currently being considered by Swindon Council, which sets the fare rates, customers could be paying steeper fares from November.

Last week, a row was sparked over the so-called "click over" rate, which may change in the evenings.

Currently, customers can expect higher fares to kick in when the meter hits £11.20.

This is used to cover the expenses incurred on the return leg of the journey.

But under the new proposals that threshold will be lowered to £7.20 for all journeys after 8pm.

Previously customers to popular outlying areas like Highworth, Purton and Chiseldon, escaped extra charges.

Some drivers have said the move will see a drop in trade, but Mr Hunt insists it is a good way to boost pay for drivers who work late shifts.

He said: "We have to put up with an awful lot working nights and I think the pay should reflect that.

"One of the questions that insurance companies ask is 'do you work nights?'

"If you do, then the premiums are a lot higher because they know that you are likely to be making claims."

The recent explosion in the number of pubs and bars at the bottom end of town is to blame for many of the problems, according to Mr Hunt.

In the past 12 months his car has been damaged twice each time while collecting late-night fares.

"The first incident was a hit-and-run last August," he said. "A car shunted me, causing damage to the rear bumper, and then sped off.

"The second was in March when someone decided to hit the side of my car, causing a dent. I'm still waiting to get it repaired.

"Swindon has got really bad. People are starting to drink a lot earlier sometimes at 5pm and carry on into the early hours.

"When I started in the industry you never had bouncers on the doors of pubs.

"On a scale of one to 10, I would rank the seriousness of Swindon's trouble as eight or nine that's how bad it is for a cabbie on a Friday or Saturday night."

Also planned is a rise in the start-rate or minimum fare.

At present this stands at £1.40. Under the plans this would rise to £1.90.

A two-week consultation period ends this week.

Kevin Shoesmith