Calls For North Yorkshire Taxi Fares To Rise To Protect Vital Rural Services

North Yorkshire taxi drivers are calling for an increase in the running mile rate to cover soaring operating costs, as the council considers a five per cent rise in maximum fares.

Plans to revise the maximum cost of taking a taxi in North Yorkshire are set to be considered in response to calls from the trade and a steady increase in fuel prices.

On Tuesday, May 12, North Yorkshire Council’s executive members will be asked to approve a five per cent increase in maximum fares. Since the current maximum fares were introduced in July 2024, the council states that the price of petrol has increased by 17.58 per cent, with diesel increasing by 42.26 per cent.

Lisa Ridsdale, Contracts Manager for the North Yorkshire based Take Me Group, explained the financial strain on the industry, saying:

"Taxi fares in North Yorkshire need to rise, not to overcharge passengers, but to protect the future of a vital public service.

The reality is simple, the cost of running a taxi has increased sharply. Insurance alone ranges from 1,500 to 4,000 pound a year, fuel can reach 4 to 7 and a half thousand annually. Adding the maintenance, servicing and licensing, and many drivers are facing over 10,000 pound a year just to be able to work. In short, in many cases this is no longer sustainable.

While costs have surged, fares have not kept pace. In some cases for all tarrifs, the running margin in some areas in North Yorkshire has actually taken the falls since the seven districts merged."

Ms Ridsdale warned of the consequences for rural communities if action is not taken, stating:

"If fares do not reflect reality, drivers will leave the industry. And in a rural county like North Yorkshire, this has serious consequences.

Taxis aren't a luxury, they are essential for hospital appointments work, the early nights, where public transport simply does not exist. Fewer drivers means longer waits, reduced availability, and people being left without transport when they need it the most.

So this isn't about charging more. It's about preventing a decline in the trade. Because if taxi fares do not rise to meet real costs, the pricing will not just be measured on a meter. It will be measured in lost access, lost reliability, and a service that is no longer there when people need it the most."

Ms Ridsdale highlighted the stark reality for drivers across the country, stating:

"across the UK taxi drivers lay on 20 to 40,000 pounds before costs, but after many expenses they left cost storing under the minimum wage despite long hours lay nights all responsibility for their own vehicles and the running cost."

Under the council's proposals, the daytime rate between 7am and 10pm would increase from £2.22 to £2.33 per mile, and waiting time would rise from £20.23 to £21.24 per hour. Night-time and public holiday rates would increase from £3.15 to £3.31 per mile, while Christmas and New Year rates would go up from £4.20 to £4.41 per mile.

North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for licensing, Councillor Richard Foster, said:

"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."

Scarborough Councillor Heather Philips backed the proposals, saying:

"I think it's important that we do support our local taxi drivers because when public transport is scarce, we need to make sure there's a viable alternative.

GP appointments are very difficult to get to if you've not got a taxi locally. And I know there's firms in my local area who are struggling. And I think it's only fair to give people that little bit of extra support at the moment. So, I would say that 5% seems a quite a reasonable amount."

The revised costs would only apply to hackney carriage vehicles, which can be hailed by passengers on the roadside, wait on a rank, or be pre-booked. Private hire vehicles can only operate through pre-booking and set their own fares, so customers are encouraged to agree on a price before their journey.