Bradford taxi drivers have agreed to scrap extra charges tonight and tomorrow to help credit crunch-hit revellers.

But, passengers will be expected to pay up front following reports of fare-dodging over the Christmas period.

Cabbies are entitled to up their fees to time-and-a-half over Christmas and New Year and charged the higher rate on Christmas Eve.

But the Bradford Hackney Carriage Owners’ Association have thrashed out a deal which will see the standard evening rate being charged, meaning a five-mile journey will cost just short of £10 instead of £15.

The association’s president, C D Khalid, said: “We have charged time and a half over New Year from 6pm until 7am on January 2 for a number of years. This year we have decided in light of the economic situation to freeze the fares and charge the normal evening rate instead.”

The unprecedented move comes as Mr Khalid complained of a spate of violence, intimidation and fare-dodging over Christmas including one incident where a passenger held a knife to the throat of a driver.

He advised any New Year revellers using a Bradford taxi to pay the expected fee up front. The final fare would be that shown on the meter.

But it is expected that charging the standard evening rate, rather than time-and-a-half, will help to end confusion over the total price.

Mr Khalid said: “Drivers have been harassed and others intimidated. We are asking that passengers co-operate and make it clear to drivers what their final destination is and if they need to make any stops on the route.”

An intended annual price rise, which should come into effect from January, will also be put back until at least September.

The association has applied to the Council to increase the flag rate from £1.50 to £2, and permission is expected to be granted after a two-week consultation period ends.

e-mail: jo.winrow @telegraphandargus.co.uk