North Yorkshire Council to review maximum taxi fares in response to rising fuel costs

North Yorkshire Council is to consider raising the maximum cost of taking a taxi in response to calls from the trade.

On Tuesday, May 12, North Yorkshire Council’s executive members will be asked to approve a five per cent increase in maximum fares.

Under the plans, between 7am and 10pm, there would be an increase from £2.22 to £2.33 per mile, and £20.23 to £21.24 per hour waiting time.

The cost of taking a taxi between 10pm and 7am, including public holidays, would increase from £3.15 to £3.31 per mile, and £28.90 to £30.35 per hour waiting time.

During the Christmas and New Year period, there would be an increase from £4.20 to £4.41 per mile, and £38.54 to £40.47 per hour waiting time.

North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for licensing, Coun Richard Foster, said: “We carry out regular reviews of taxi fares to incentivise those working in the trade.

“As a licensing authority, we set maximum fares to provide certainty, consistency and protection from unfair or unreasonable charges.

"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.

“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.”

Since the current maximum fares were introduced in July 2024, the price of petrol has increased by 17.58%, with diesel increasing by 42.26%.

If approved, the revised costs would only apply to hackney carriage vehicles which can be hailed by passengers on the roadside, stand on a rank, or be pre-booked.

In contrast, private hire vehicles can only operate through pre-booking, setting their own fares so customers are encouraged to agree a price in advance.

Fuel prices have grown steadily since the attacks on Iran and the Lebanon.