North Yorkshire taxi fares could rise by 5% as fuel costs continue climbing
- Perry Richardson
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
North Yorkshire Council is considering a 5% increase to maximum hackney carriage taxi fares following renewed pressure from drivers facing higher operating costs and fuel prices.
The proposal will be discussed by the council’s Executive committee on 12 May and follows requests from members of the hackney carriage trade to review the existing fare structure. Officers said three separate requests had been submitted by drivers seeking a fare review after sustained rises in fuel prices linked to global instability and wider cost pressures.
Under the recommendation, all tariff bands would rise by 5%, while additional charges would remain unchanged. Tariff 1 daytime fares would increase from £2.22 to £2.33 per mile, while Tariff 2 would rise from £3.15 to £3.31 per mile and Tariff 3 from £4.20 to £4.41 per mile. Waiting time charges would also increase across all tariff levels.
Council figures show petrol prices have risen by 17.58% since the last fare increase introduced in July 2024, while diesel prices have climbed by 42.26% over the same period. Diesel prices increased from 134.64p per litre to 191.54p per litre by April 2026, according to RAC data referenced in the report.
Council officers have recommended increasing maximum hackney carriage fares across North Yorkshire following sharp rises in petrol and diesel prices since the last tariff review.
The report notes that the authority last updated its maximum fare table in July 2024 and carried out another review in 2025, although councillors decided against any changes at that stage.
The fare structure only applies to hackney carriage taxis and not private hire vehicles, as councils do not have powers to set private hire fares. Hackney carriage taxis can legally rank, hail and accept pre-booked journeys, unlike private hire vehicles which must operate through a licensed operator.
The authority said maintaining a sustainable taxi trade remains important for both public safety and transport resilience across the county. The report highlights the role hackney carriage drivers play in supporting the night-time economy and transporting passengers safely during anti-social hours.
Council officers also warned that retaining current fares without adjustment could affect the sector’s ability to continue delivering services across rural and urban areas. The report stated that regular fare reviews help drivers maintain a reasonable income and support investment in newer vehicles.
If councillors approve the proposal, the council must publish statutory notices allowing at least 14 days for objections before any new tariff structure can take effect.
Executive member for licensing, Cllr Richard Foster, said: “We carry out regular reviews of taxi fares to incentivise those working in the trade.
“The sector provides a vital boost to the economy, and is key for protecting our communities, whether it be taking children to school or transporting residents or visitors to their destination at night safely.
“As a licensing authority, we set maximum fares to provide certainty, consistency and protection from unfair or unreasonable charges.
“We appreciate that people may face a higher cost of taking a taxi, but we need to factor in the increase in the price of fuel since the charges were last changed two years ago.”
