THE number of taxi ranks in Ryedale is set to soar by 200 per cent - and taxi charges by up to 15 per cent.

Under a plan drawn up by the local authority, Kirkbymoorside and Helmsley would - for the first time - get their own dedicated ranks.

The number of ranks in Malton would double to four and, in Pickering, would increase from one to three. Norton, however, would miss out altogether.

Taxi licensing bosses say more ranks would stop taxis having to make 30-mile round trips from Malton to Helmsley and back, just because there is nowhere to wait for trade.

Costs are also set to rise, after a freeze on prices this year. Under the plans, the price of the first mile of every standard rate journey would rise from £2.60 to £3. In addition, it is proposed that the charge for the first two miles should go up from £4.10 to £4.50, then from £8.60 to £9 for five miles, and a ten-mile journey would go up from £16.10 to £16.50.

Laural Huntington, taxi licensing officer for Ryedale District Council, said: "The proposed fares reflect a fair increase.

"They are considered to be an acceptable rise to be passed on to customers by hackney carriage drivers, on the basis that there has been no increase for two years."

Under the rank plans, Helmsley would get one part-time, two-vehicle rank in the Market Place.

Kirkbymoorside would also get a part-time, one-vehicle rank, in its Market Place.

In Malton, ranks would be added in Wheelgate and Railway Street. In Pickering, they would go in the Ropery car park, and the Market Place.

Norton does not have any ranks, and would not get any.

Ms Huntington said: "Taxis are an integral part of the transport system, especially in a predominantly rural area like Ryedale, where public transport facilities are limited.

"There are currently three ranks across the whole of Ryedale, considered to be inadequate to cater for the needs of residents, visitors and the 38 taxis licensed in Ryedale.

"Vehicles have to return to their base after they have dropped off passengers if they are unable to find a space on a rank.

"The location of the base is incidental, and, for example, can result in a Malton taxi dropping passengers off in Helmsley, and having to travel back to Malton because there is no appointed rank where they could park and wait for potential business."

The taxi overhaul must first be approved by councillors at a meeting tomorrow.