Midlothian taxi fares set for possible increase following committee review
- Perry Richardson
- Jul 19
- 2 min read
Updated: Jul 20
Midlothian’s General Purposes Committee is preparing to consult the public on proposed increases to taxi and private hire car tariffs following discussions with the Midlothian Taxi Owners Association (MTOA).
The changes would affect metered fares for all licensed taxis and private hire cars fitted with meters operating in the region. This review, required every 18 months under the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982, last took place in 2022. If approved, the current tariff will have remained unchanged for nearly three years by the time revisions come into effect.
MTOA has flagged rising business costs as the driver for the proposed uplift. Increases in fuel, vehicle servicing, electric vehicle charging, insurance, licence fees, and operator overheads have all been cited. The group also believes fares should align more closely with those in Edinburgh, pointing to shared vehicle inspection conditions and business similarities between the two areas.
The proposed fare changes include a 50p rise to the initial fare on the standard daytime rate, bringing it to £3.50. Evening and weekend fares would rise by 70p to £4.50, and Christmas and New Year rates would rise to £5.00. Charges for distance and waiting time would also go up by 5p under tariffs 1 and 2, moving from 25p to 30p. Tariff 3 distance charges remain unchanged.
The increased tariff 2 rate is partly aimed at addressing service gaps during unsocial hours by encouraging more drivers to work late evenings and weekends.
The committee has agreed to launch a statutory public consultation on the new tariff proposal. Residents and stakeholders will have at least one month to submit written comments. A follow-up report will then be brought back to the committee for final consideration.
Any fare changes would represent the maximum allowable charge. Operators would still be free to charge less at their discretion.
If the revised tariffs are ultimately approved, they will apply only within the Midlothian boundary. Journeys that end outside the area will remain subject to pre-agreed fares.
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