APPROVED: New taxi tariff rise approved and vehicle limit maintained in North East Lincolnshire
- Perry Richardson
- 2 hours ago
- 2 min read
North East Lincolnshire Council has approved a rise in hackney carriage fares and agreed to maintain the current cap of 220 hackney carriage vehicle licences following its latest Community Protection Committee meeting.
The new tariff adds 50p to the first mile on all three fare bands and raises the soiling charge to £100. The decision follows a request from the trade to reflect increased operating costs and ensure the sector remains financially viable.
Under the revised table of fares, the first mile for Tariff 1 now stands at £5.10, for Tariff 2 at £5.80, and for Tariff 3 at £6.30. Waiting time remains at £15 per hour for Tariffs 1 and 2 and £18 per hour for Tariff 3. These rates apply across different periods, including night-time and public holidays.
Committee members noted that the last fare adjustment was agreed in February 2022. The increase aims to balance the need to sustain driver income while keeping passenger costs reasonable.
The council confirmed that the required statutory public notice will be published, allowing a 14-day period for objections before the revised fares come into effect. If no objections are received, the new fares will automatically be implemented at the end of the notice period.
In a separate decision, the committee also confirmed it would maintain the current limit of 220 hackney carriage vehicle licences. The decision follows consultation and an unmet demand survey, which found no evidence of unmet demand that would justify increasing the number of licences.
Out of 68 consultation responses, 66 supported keeping the limit in place. The survey findings were presented alongside views from drivers and independent assessors, and members agreed that maintaining the cap continues to reflect the needs of the borough.
Other aspects of the consultation included policies on wheelchair-accessible vehicles (WAVs) and vehicle power sources. The committee agreed to maintain its current approach to vehicle type while reviewing its wheelchair-accessible vehicle policy to ensure fair treatment for existing licence holders with medical exemptions.
The decisions taken are intended to support a stable and accessible taxi fleet, prevent oversupply, and allow drivers to reinvest in newer, cleaner vehicles in line with the council’s wider environmental objectives.
