TAXI drivers in Castle Point have agreed to freeze fare prices for the sixth year in succession.

Drivers in the borough came to the decision at a borough Hackney Carriage Association meeting on Monday.

The initial hiring charge for a four seater taxi will remain at £2.80, and the charge for a five to eight seater taxi will stay at £4.20.

Warren Gibson, association chairman, says that the decision to keep prices the same He said: “We just couldn’t justify a fare increase really, so we’ve opted to keep the rate at £2.80.

“Fuel is now under £1-per-litre and insurance costs are falling too, and another major factor in the decision is that a large section of our customers are elderly people.

Of course we have train fares, airport runs and night jobs.

“It was driven by the situation now, and it doesn’t feel the right time to do anything.”