Somerset taxi passengers face higher journey costs as council approves maximum fare increase

Somerset Council has approved an updated taxi fare structure following a review of rising operating costs and wider cost-of-living pressures across the county.

The maximum standard fare for a journey of up to one mile will rise from £4.60 to £5.06. Charges covering additional mileage and passenger waiting time will also increase, although the council has not provided the revised figures for those elements.

Under the new tariff, a standard two-mile journey will cost a maximum of £8.60, compared with the current ceiling of £7.60. This represents an increase of £1, or approximately 13.2%.

The revised fares will apply to licensed hackney carriage taxis operating in Somerset and will come into force no later than 19 September 2026. The county’s fares were last adjusted in May 2024.

Somerset Council said its review considered a 10.69% rise in the cost of living alongside substantial increases in fuel, vehicle insurance and maintenance costs. The authority said the changes were intended to support the financial sustainability of the local taxi trade and maintain vehicle availability.

Maximum soiling fees and holiday surcharges will remain unchanged. The fare table sets a legal ceiling rather than a compulsory price, meaning taxi drivers and businesses can continue to charge less than the metered maximum.

Councillor Federica Smith-Roberts, Somerset Council’s Lead Member for Communities, Environment and Climate Change, said: “Regularly reviewing taxi fares is essential to ensure that Somerset residents and visitors continue to have access to safe, reliable and regulated transport.

“These changes reflect the real-world pressures faced by drivers while keeping fares competitive with neighbouring areas.”

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