Taxis are a form of public transport and a lifeline for many old, disabled and sick people in Brighton and Hove.

For years, the fares were reasonable, especially compared with those in cities such as London but there have been some steep rises recently.

Now the cabbies want another increase, including a lot of extras, which could really bump up the cost of a journey.

The most iniquitous of these is a rise in the phone booking charge from 20p to £1, which is simply a taxi tax.

There is no reason why any charge should be made for a phone booking any more than a restaurant would charge a fee.

With radio links, it is a simple matter for taxi firms to ensure the nearest cab available can pick up the fare on what is a guaranteed booking.

This fee will make many able-bodied people hail cabs in the street or at ranks rather than phoning from their homes.

But as one cabbie pointed out to the Argus, little old ladies and people who can't walk far will be unable to do this. They will simply have to pay more for their journeys.

Brighton and Hove already has an unenviable reputation for high hotel, restaurant and bar prices.

The city council cannot do much to control them. But it does control prices charged by the cab trade.

It should not agree to much of the current application including the booking fee.

If, as seems likely, the charges are approved, passengers should object long and loud to this unfair imposition.