Taxi fare increases proposed for North Yorkshire
Rising fuel costs prompt plans for fare revisions
Plans to increase taxi fares in North Yorkshire are being considered due to rising fuel costs and calls from the taxi trade.
The proposals, set for review by councillors on 12th May, come as the price of petrol has risen by 17.58 percent and diesel by 42.26 percent since July 2024.
The executive members will be asked to approve a five percent hike in maximum fares.
If adopted, daytime taxi fares between 7am and 10pm would rise from £2.22 to £2.33 per mile and from £20.23 to £21.24 per hour for waiting time.
Night-time fares between 10pm and 7am, as well as public holiday fares, would increase from £3.15 to £3.31 per mile and from £28.90 to £30.35 per hour waiting time.
During Christmas and New Year periods, the cost would rise from £4.20 to £4.41 per mile and from £38.54 to £40.47 per hour waiting time.
Cllr Richard Foster, executive member for licensing, emphasised the importance of providing fair compensation to taxi drivers in light of fuel price increases and the vital role the sector plays in supporting communities.
“We carry out regular reviews of taxi fares to incentivise those working in the trade.
“The sector provides a vital boost to the economy, and is key for protecting our communities, whether it be taking children to school or transporting residents or visitors to their destination at night safely.
“As a licensing authority, we set maximum fares to provide certainty, consistency and protection from unfair or unreasonable charges.
“We appreciate that people may face a higher cost of taking a taxi, but we need to factor in the increase in the price of fuel since the charges were last changed two years ago.”
The revised costs would apply exclusively to hackney carriage vehicles, which can be hailed or pre-booked, while private hire vehicles set their own fares via pre-booking.