Wealden backs 10% taxi fare increase after four-year freeze despite consultation objections
- Perry Richardson
- 20 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Wealden District Council’s General Purposes and Licensing Committee has recommended that the relevant Cabinet Portfolio Holder approve a 10% increase in hackney carriage fares from 7 September 2026 following a statutory consultation that attracted objections from members of the trade.
If approved, it would be the first increase in the district’s maximum taxi fares since October 2022.
Officers said the proposed increase reflects the rise in costs since the last fare review. The report notes that, based on the Bank of England’s inflation calculator, the current minimum fare of £3.40 would now equate to £3.96, representing a 17% increase. It also highlights that private sector pay increased by 18% between October 2022 and October 2025, while the state pension rose by 30% over a similar period. Although diesel prices have fallen by around 12% since October 2022, fuel costs have fluctuated significantly during that time.
The statutory consultation generated several objections and alternative suggestions. These included introducing an additional charge for dogs, bringing forward the higher night tariff to start at 11pm instead of midnight, and increasing the initial flag fall for Tariffs Two and Three.
Officers recommended rejecting each proposal, saying a charge for dogs was not justified, an earlier night tariff alongside a 10% increase would be unreasonable without further consultation, and the suggested flag falls of £5.55 and £7.40 would be excessive.
The report also reminds members that the council sets maximum hackney carriage fares rather than fixed prices, meaning drivers remain free to agree lower fares with passengers. Officers added that changing fares too frequently creates additional costs through statutory newspaper notices, meter recalibration and issuing new fare cards, making periodic reviews more practical.
They concluded that a 10% increase from September 2026 represents a reasonable balance between supporting the trade and protecting passengers.
The committee has recommended the revised fare table be adopted from 7 September 2026. Because objections were received during the consultation, the final decision will now be made by the relevant Cabinet Portfolio Holder, who may approve the proposed fares or introduce modifications before they come into force.
