A PAIR of cabbies have lost their bid to persuade the council to increase their tariffs to London rates.

Dartford cab drivers Steve Jones and Mitch Peeke submitted a report to the council in May, suggesting the tariff be changed to the London structure, allowing drivers £3.80 for the first mile.

The drivers argue they should be allowed to charge London rates as they are running the same vehicles, but with higher insurance costs and are restricted as they can only pick up fares within the boundaries of the borough.

Dartford Council, which annually sets the tariffs, proposed £3.20 for the first mile of each journey and £2 per mile thereafter.

The council's cabinet decided to ballot the borough's 203 Hackney Carriage drivers on this year's tariff rise after a meeting on October 27, but maintained it would be in charge of the final decision.

Just 84 cab drivers responded, leaving the council with a majority of 58 votes.

The council's proposal was passed at a cabinet meeting on November 24.

Mr Jones, who lives in Wilmott Street, Dartford, said: "It was a low result but the trouble is the drivers already knew the council was going to do what it wanted anyway they just thought what's the point?'.

"The council has agreed to sit down with the Dartford Taxi Association and work out a new tariff in the new year. We've told them we will go to the Ombudsman if they don't have this review."

A spokesman for the council said: "The council approved the fare structure proposed by the regulatory team which increases fares to £2 per mile compared to £1.80 previously.

"A review of fares is planned for the first half of next year before a fare increase proposal is made towards the end of the year."

The new tariff will be implemented by the end of December and will replace the current rate of £3 for the first mile of each journey