.jpg)
Basingstoke and Deane Council set to keep taxi fares unchanged after rejecting 30p increase despite huge spike in running costs for cabbies
Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council’s Cabinet is being asked to keep hackney carriage fares unchanged after trade representatives requested a 30p increase to the initial fare, known as the “drop”.
The report recognises rising costs for drivers, including fuel, insurance, vehicle maintenance, licensing, vehicle replacement and card payment processing. It says the trade’s request reflects “legitimate concerns” but notes that no independently verified financial evidence was submitted to support the proposed increase’s specific level.
The proposal would add 30p to each journey by increasing only the drop. The report says this would have a greater proportional effect on shorter trips, which are often used for local travel to healthcare, shopping, work and community services.
Basingstoke and Deane’s current Tariff 1 fare for a two-mile journey is £8.20, compared with a national average of £7.47, according to the August 2026 National Hackney Fare Table cited in the report. If the increase were approved, the two-mile fare would rise to £8.50.
The report also notes that the current tariff is aligned with Hart’s, while fares in Rushmoor are lower. The trade told the council the request should not be treated as an annual uplift: the previous increase took effect in January 2025, after an earlier rise in 2013.
Local Government Reorganisation is another factor in the recommendation. The report says the formation of a successor North Hampshire authority could provide an opportunity for a wider review of fares and licensing arrangements across the area, where tariff structures currently differ.
The report says a fare increase could help drivers meet operating pressures, but Cabinet should weigh that against affordability, accessibility and equality impacts. It highlights that disabled and older residents may rely on taxis for frequent short journeys, while also recognising that a sustainable trade supports the availability of accessible vehicles. There are however concerns that if the industry becomes unviable in the longer-term that drivers will leave meaning less available licensed vehicles for the public.
The Cabinet chose to retain the existing fare table and not approve the proposed increase at this time. The report says the trade may submit a further request, supported by evidence of cost pressures and justification for the tariff structure and increase sought.
