Why should taxi and private hire drivers be allowed to see what app passengers pay?
- Perry Richardson
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
Taxi and private hire drivers working on app-based platforms are calling for a shift in how fares are disclosed. At the centre of the dispute is a demand for greater transparency over what passengers are actually charged, and whether drivers are receiving a fair proportion.
Currently, many platforms show drivers only the amount they will earn for each job. This excludes details such as booking fees, surge charges and the full fare collected from the passenger. Without this information, drivers say they have no way of verifying if the pay structure is fair and the commission rates they are charged.
The issue has grown in importance following changes in how pricing is calculated. Platforms such as Uber have moved away from fixed commission models to systems using upfront pricing. This change means the proportion paid to drivers can vary from job to job, with no clear explanation of how the total fare was divided.
Drivers argue this has eroded trust. They say that while passenger fares appear to rise during peak times, their own earnings do not increase at the same rate. The lack of transparency around surge pricing is now a key point of frustration. Drivers want confirmation that premiums charged to customers are being shared proportionately.
With costs for fuel, insurance, and vehicle maintenance continuing to rise, drivers say it is more important than ever to understand how much the passenger pays. Full fare transparency, they argue, would allow them to calculate whether a job is economically viable.
The App Drivers & Couriers Union (ADCU) and the GMB are among those backing a regulatory intervention. They are urging licensing authorities to consider whether fare transparency should be a requirement for platforms operating.
In the UK, the issue presents an opportunity for local and devolved governments. Licensing authorities could move to introduce fare disclosure requirements independently, without waiting for national legislation. Such a step would likely gain support among drivers and trade bodies seeking better conditions, but may be challenged by operators working under the model.
Whether the Department for Transport or other central bodies would back such a move remains to be seen. However, with ongoing debates about the future of platform work and how it should be regulated, it’s likely that fare transparency will continue to rise up the agenda.
