A LEYLAND taxi firm has slammed a proposed fare increase claiming it would be short changing customers.

It comes after South Ribble Taxi Owners Association, which represents private hire and hackney companies in the borough, applied to the local council to put up fares.

But drivers at Leyland Taxi Services, Hough Lane, say it would be more appropriate to reduce their rates, fearing an increase would over-price the service.

The proposed increase, which would see the minimum fare go from £1.40 to £1.60, was discussed at a licensing committee meeting at the Civic Centre, West Paddock, last week.

But the decision has been deferred until more information is collected.

Manager of Leyland Taxi Services, Phil Briggs, wrote to council officers outlining his concerns and attended the meeting to air his objections.

He said: "Elderly customers are not using cabs as much since the last fare increase in December 2001. We aren't happy, we are overcharging people as it is and after midnight prices are just extortionate."

If passed, a journey from Tesco at Towngate, Leyland, to the shops in Royal Avenue, Wade Hall, for instance, which is just more than a mile and currently costs £2.90 would rise to about £3.30.

And passengers travelling a standard mile would be charged £2.70 instead of the previous £2.50.

Mr Briggs said he was afraid the increase would encourage people to drink drive.

But Dave Snape, chairman of the association, said: "It's a cost of living increase as far as we're concerned.

"It will be nearly two years since they last went up, and it will probably be two years before they can go up again."

South Ribble Borough Council is due to discuss the plans again on Tuesday, September 23.

If passed, the matter will go to consultation before a final decision is made.