TAXI passengers in East Ayrshire will have to pay more for their journeys from the end of this month, it's been announced.
Fare hikes across the area will come into effect on December 31.
Revised charges were originally due to come into force in November before it was decided to delay the increase.
The price rise has been decided upon by East Ayrshire Council, which is responsible for setting taxi fares across the area for vehicles registered with the authority.
READ MORE: 'No comfort' for family of woman killed in A70 crash
The basic charge will go up significantly - from the current rate of £2.90, advertised on the council's website, to one of £4 for a journey of up to 1,320 yards (0.75 miles) - an increase of 38 per cent.
For each additional 125 yards, or part thereof, an additional 20p will be added from December 31 - up from the current rate of 15p, a rise of 33 per cent.
As an example, the increases mean that a journey of approximately one mile, from the Asda supermarket in Cumnock to Visions Leisure Centre, will cost £4.80 - up from the current price of £3.60.
The maximum charge for a 1.5 mile journey will be £6.20, while one of two miles will be £7.60.
A trip of 2.5 miles will cost £9, while one of three miles will be £10.40, and five miles will be £16.
In addition, the surcharge for hires between midnight and 6am will double - from £1 to £2.
Hires over Christmas and New Year - from midnight on December 24 until 6am on December 26, and from midnight on December 31 until 6am on January 2 - will be charged at double the normal rate.
And the additional fare for a larger vehicle of five, six, seven or eight seats will also increase - from £1.25 per person for each extra passenger above four people, to £2 per person.
READ MORE: Mauchline business premises up for rent following stint as café
The current 'waiting time' surcharge of £1.95 per five minutes will remain the same when the new fares structure comes into effect at the end of the month.
Along with the revised fares, a fouling charge of £50 will also be introduced from December 31.
Fares for journeys of more than five miles will be the subject of special agreements between the hirer and the taxi firm or driver.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here