BCP Council considers sizeable taxi fare increase that could push tariffs into UK top ten
- Perry Richardson
- 21 hours ago
- 2 min read
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council is considering a significant increase to hackney carriage taxi fares that could see the local tariff rank among the highest in the UK if approved.
A request submitted by the BCP Taxi and Private Hire Association is asking the authority’s Licensing Committee to approve changes to the current maximum fare structure, including higher starting fares, revised night rate hours and new tariffs for vehicles carrying more than four passengers.
The proposals were presented to councillors during a meeting on 12 March 2026 following a formal submission from industry representative David Lane in December 2025. The request asks members to review the existing tariff framework set in March 2024 and determine whether the proposed changes should be approved, amended or rejected.
The most notable change would be an increase to the daytime first-mile charge. The proposal would raise the initial fare from £5.66 to £6.66. Night-time tariffs would also increase, with the first-mile charge rising from £7.55 to £8.55. The trade is also seeking to extend the hours during which the night rate applies, moving it from the current midnight to 6.30am period to a broader window of 10pm to 6am.
Licensing committee reviews request from taxi trade that would raise first-mile fares and introduce higher rates for larger vehicles
Alongside the higher starting fare, the proposed structure includes a slight reduction to the subsequent mileage rate for night journeys, decreasing from £3.82 to £3.50 per mile. A similar £1 increase is proposed for the Christmas and New Year tariff, which would take the first-mile charge to £9.49 while aligning the operating hours with the revised night rate period.
One of the more structural changes within the proposal relates to larger vehicles. The association is asking the council to introduce separate fare bands for taxis capable of carrying between five and eight passengers. These higher tariffs would apply only when more than four passengers are travelling in the vehicle.
Under the proposal, the daytime first-mile fare for multi-seater vehicles would rise from £7.66 to £9.99, with the per-mile rate increasing from £2.86 to £4.29. Night-time charges would see the starting fare increase from £9.55 to £12.82, while the Christmas and New Year tariff would move to £13.74 for the first mile.
The trade has also requested a change to pre-booking charges. Currently set at £1 for daytime journeys and £1.25 at night, the proposed amendment would standardise the booking fee at £2. At the same time, several smaller surcharges would be removed, including additional fees for extra passengers, luggage items and multi-seat vehicles.
Industry representatives argue that adjustments are necessary to reflect rising operating costs and to help retain drivers within the BCP area. Council documents note that without a fare increase there is a risk some licence holders could relocate to neighbouring authorities where tariffs are higher, potentially reducing the availability of taxis for residents and visitors.
