Edinburgh taxi fares could rise by around 5% as discussions move to consultation stage after industry backing
- Perry Richardson
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
Updated: 3 minutes ago
Edinburgh’s taxi fares could rise by around 5% under new proposals put forward as part of the City of Edinburgh Council’s latest statutory review of tariffs.
A report presented to the council’s Regulatory Committee on 16 March 2026 recommends consulting on fare increases aligned with the Consumer Price Index, alongside a series of higher additional charges covering call-outs, cancellations and airport journeys.
The proposals follow a detailed review carried out by consultants Jacobs, alongside engagement with taxi trade representatives and a limited public consultation. The council is required by law to review and set maximum taxi fares at least every 18 months, with the current tariff having taken effect in December 2024.
Under the recommended changes, standard fares across all tariffs would increase by approximately 5%. For example, a typical two-mile daytime journey would rise from £9.00 to £9.30, while a five-mile journey would increase from £17.40 to £18.00. Night-time fares would see similar uplifts, with a two-mile trip increasing from £10.20 to £10.50.
City of Edinburgh Council considers CPI-linked increase and higher extra charges as part of 2026 tariff review
Alongside base fare increases, the review proposes a number of adjustments to additional charges. These include raising the call-out fee from 80p to £1, increasing the additional passenger charge from 40p to 50p, and lifting the cancellation fee from £2.20 to £3. The maximum airport pick-up and drop-off charge would also rise to £7, subject to alignment with actual airport fees.
The recommendations largely reflect requests made by representatives of the taxi trade during consultation. Industry participants supported a CPI-linked increase across all tariffs and backed higher ancillary charges to reflect rising operating costs.
The review comes amid ongoing cost pressures facing drivers, including vehicle compliance requirements, emission standards and the introduction of Edinburgh’s Low Emission Zone. The Scottish Government’s guidance states that licensing authorities should prioritise ensuring operators can achieve a sustainable return rather than suppressing fares for affordability reasons.
However, public sentiment appears more mixed. A council survey found that 61.1% of respondents believe taxi fares in Edinburgh are already too high, although 56.3% said they were satisfied with the cost of their most recent journey. The same survey indicated limited willingness among passengers to pay higher fares even in exchange for reduced waiting times.
Benchmarking within the report shows Edinburgh already sits above average for taxi fares compared with other UK cities. A two-mile daytime journey currently averages £7.84 across comparable authorities, compared with £9.00 in Edinburgh, rising to £9.30 under the proposed changes.
The outcome of the consultation will determine whether Edinburgh proceeds with one of its largest fare adjustments since the 9.5% increase implemented in 2024, as the council balances industry viability against passenger affordability in a tightening economic environment.
