Revellers across the district face a Millennium whammy because hundreds of cabbies have decided to double fares between Christmas and New Year.

And today the drivers were accused of greed by David Haigh, chairman of Bradford Inner City Licensing Association, who warned it could force people to drink and drive.

Secretary of Bradford Hackney Carriage Association Iftikhar Bhatti also warned today that revellers faced another hazard - hundreds of 'cowboys' are expected to flood the streets, pretending to be licensed drivers and 'ripping off' passengers who are desperate for transport.

Some drivers are expected to charge passengers twice the normal rate for the entire festive week from Christmas Eve, the Telegraph & Argus can reveal.

But before the anticipated festive free-for-all, passengers face a separate price increase from Monday as Hackney Carriages raise the charge for the start of journeys from £1 to £1.30.

Many private hire drivers will put their fares up from £2 to £2.50 for the first mile from tomorrow. The charge of £1 for subsequent miles remains. Private hire proprietor Saghwat Hussain said dozens of operators in the Bradford area had also decided to charge double fares for the full week from Christmas Eve to New Years Day.

He said: "People in other forms of work will be paid large amounts and think it is a reasonable amount to pay for the service they provide."

The Hackney Carriages will be charging double between 11pm on New Year's Eve and 7am on New Year's Day. Fares will also be doubled between 10pm on January 1 and 7am on January 2. People will also be charged £1 extra between Christmas Eve and Boxing Day.

Bus companies are still undecided about what services they will provide.

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