Wealden Council to consult on 10% taxi fare rise after four years without changes
- Perry Richardson
- Mar 9
- 2 min read
Taxi passengers in Wealden could face higher fares later this year after councillors were asked to approve a consultation on increasing hackney carriage tariffs by 10 percent from November 2026.
A report scheduled for the Wealden District Council General Purposes and Licensing Committee on 12 March recommends launching the statutory consultation process required before any fare variation can take effect. Hackney carriage fares in the district were last reviewed and increased in October 2022.
The proposal would see the council consult on raising the maximum fares taxi drivers can charge across the district. Licensing authorities set the maximum tariff for hackney carriages, although drivers are permitted to charge less if they choose. Taxi meters must however be calibrated to the council’s approved fare structure.
According to the council report, the current minimum fare of £3.40 would equate to around £3.90 when adjusted for inflation using the Bank of England calculator, representing an increase of roughly 14.6 percent since the last review in 2022. Officers say a 10 percent uplift has been proposed as a balanced starting point for consultation.
Licensing committee set to consider consultation on proposed hackney carriage tariff increase from November 2026
The report also references changes in fuel prices over the same period. Diesel cost around 188 pence per litre when the existing tariff was introduced in October 2022, compared with approximately 141 pence per litre in February 2026, a reduction of about 25 percent in average UK pump prices.
If no objections are received during a period of consultation, the revised tariff can come into effect immediately after the consultation closes. Where objections are submitted and not withdrawn, the council must consider them and set a new implementation date, which must be no later than two months after the original proposed start date.
Council officers also note that licensed taxis form part of the district’s wider sustainable transport network, providing a flexible travel option for residents without access to private vehicles and for those living in rural areas with limited public transport links. Setting fares at an appropriate level helps maintain a viable number of licensed vehicles operating locally.
If councillors agree to proceed with consultation, the results are expected to be reported back to the committee in September before a final decision is taken on whether to introduce the revised fare structure from November 2026.
