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Glasgow taxi drivers set for temporary 25p fuel surcharge on all hires to help tackle rising costs
Taxi drivers in Glasgow are set to be permitted to add a temporary 25p fuel surcharge to every journey following a review of rising operating costs.
The city council’s Licensing and Regulatory Committee backed the measure after an independent assessment by Dr James Cooper found that taxi operating costs increased by 1.31% between March 2025 and February 2026. The surcharge is intended to address more recent volatility in fuel prices.
The review said: “Fuel surcharges are, by their nature, a temporary measure intended to alleviate a short-term spike in specific operating costs, rather than a long-term measure integral to the tariff itself.”
Under the proposed tariff, the £4.50 starting fare and 30p increments would remain unchanged. However, the initial distance would fall from 880 yards to 867 yards, while each subsequent 30p distance increment would reduce from 174 yards to 172 yards. The soiling charge would rise from £47.50 to £48.
Glasgow Taxi Owners Federation argued that the recommended 1.31% increase was below the 5% consumer price index figure and raised concerns about the consultation process. Dr Cooper said a taxi-specific cost index had been used because general inflation did not accurately represent cab operating expenses.
The proposals must now be published through a statutory public notice, allowing representations to be submitted before the council fixes the revised fare scale. Glasgow City Council’s report recommended that the fuel surcharge apply only for a limited period.
