The cost of a taxi trip is set to rocket after cabbies warned a huge increase in fuel costs was forcing them off the road.

Passengers in Swansea are now facing their second price hike since September.

Drivers in Neath and Port Talbot also want action to help them make ends meet. Click here to vote on whether the government should cut duty on fuel

They have now taken their respective demands to council bosses.

Swansea Hackney Owners and Drivers Association chairman Mark Davies said: "Fuel costs have skyrocketed. It is almost getting to the point where some journeys are not worth doing financially.

"We want to keep fares as low as possible, but the increase in running costs generally means we have to increase our costs substantially.

"We are running at a hairline profit at the moment and the way it is going we will soon be running at a loss."

Currently, passengers pay £1.50 for the first 285 yards between 6am until 10pm, and 25p for every 285 yards after that.

The cost between 10pm and 6am is £1.70 for the first 285 yards and 30p for each subsequent 285 yards.

But that could change with two new proposed tariffs on the table that would see fares increase by either eight per cent or 40 per cent for day time journeys - or two per cent or 32 per cent for night time journey.

For example, a two-mile daytime trip from Swansea to Tycoch could go up from the present £4.25 to either £4.60 or £5.95, depending on which option is favoured - or either £5.40 or £7 at night, instead of the current £5.30.

A third option - keeping the current price structure - is likely to be rejected.

Mr Davies said some drivers in Swansea had already given up the trade.

"We haven't got the work out there, even with the present low level of fares," he added.

Neath Taxi Proprietors Association wants Neath Port Talbot Council to introduce emergency measures which would see fares rise in accordance with fuel prices.

Chairman Bob Hoyles said diesel had gone up by 30 per cent since the last time the council approved fare increases.

"What it comes down to is that drivers have to put in 30 per cent more time in order to break even," he added.

"They are working extra hours just to cover costs, which means they are not putting any more on their family's table. Drivers are going out of business. It is only going to get worse."

Neath Port Talbot is considering the request.

Stephen Thomas, a cabbie in Swansea for five years, said the price increases were inevitable because of the rise in fuel prices.

"It has already affected trade," said 43-year-old Mr Thomas. "People are not using the cars and that will be even more so when the prices go up."

A Swansea Council spokesman said: "The closing date for responses has now closed.

"We will compile them and prepare a report to consider which option to go with." http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=161366&command=displayContent&sourceNode=258861&home=yes&more_nodeId1=161375&contentPK=20694828