The Liverpool taxi tariff: How much is each tariff worth and what do the letter codes mean?

If you are planning to take a hackney carriage in Liverpool, you might want to know how much you will be charged for your journey. In this article we will explain what the current hackney carriage meter tariffs in Liverpool City Council are and when they apply.

Hackney carriages are taxis that can be hailed on the street or at a rank. They have a taximeter that calculates the fare based on the distance travelled and the time taken. The council sets the rates of fare for hackney carriages and they are displayed inside the vehicle.

There are four different rates of fare that can be used by hackney carriage drivers in Liverpool: D, N, S and E. Each rate has a different initial charge and a different charge per unit of distance or time. The rate that applies depends on the time and date of the journey and the destination.

The D rate (day rate) is for journeys starting after 6am and ending before 11pm, except when the N, S or E rate applies. The initial charge is £3.00 for the first 330 yards or less, then 20p for each succeeding 205 yards up to 35,200 yards, then 20p for each succeeding 300 yards. There is also a 20p charge for each 60 seconds of waiting.

The N rate (night rate) is for journeys starting after 11pm and ending before 6am, except when the E rate applies. It is also for journeys at any time on Easter Sunday and all bank holidays, except during the Christmas and New Year period when the E rate applies. The initial charge is £3.75 for the first 330 yards or less, then 25p for each succeeding 205 yards up to 35,200 yards, then 25p for each succeeding 300 yards. There is also a 25p charge for each 60 seconds of waiting.

The S rate (Saturday/Sunday rate) is for journeys starting after 7pm on a Saturday and ending before 7am on Sunday, except when the E rate applies. The initial charge is £4.00 for the first 330 yards or less, then 25p for each succeeding 205 yards up to 35,200 yards, then 25p for each succeeding 300 yards. There is also a 25p charge for each 60 seconds of waiting.

The E rate (extra rate) is for journeys starting after 6pm on December 24 to 6am on December 27 and after 6pm on December 31 to 6am on January 2. The initial charge is £4.50 for the first 330 yards or less, then 30p for each succeeding 205 yards up to 35,200 yards, then 30p for each succeeding 300 yards. There is also a 30p charge for each 60 seconds of waiting.

For journeys ending four miles or more beyond the nearest boundary of Liverpool, the driver can either agree the fare or rate of fare with the hirer before the journey starts or use the meter according to the applicable D, N, S or E rate. The driver can also request an estimated fare or deposit up front.