Taxi drivers in Cornwall are raising concerns that Cornwall Council's proposal to unify taxi fares across the county could lead to a decline in rural taxi services and increased costs for passengers.

Drivers fear the move is a "backdoor route" to scrapping local fare zones, ultimately pushing drivers towards more profitable urban areas and leaving rural communities behind.

Steven Witchell from Newquay Taxi Forum voiced strong opposition, stating: "On the surface, it may seem like a simple administrative change but in reality, it paves the way for removing the local zones entirely. This subtle shift could lead to a collapse in rural taxi access and service reliability."

He added bluntly, "Let’s be honest, taxis go where the money is."

Witchell explained that Cornwall's six existing taxi zones reflect the county's diverse economic landscape, with urban centers such as Truro, Falmouth, and Bodmin having higher fare opportunities compared to rural and coastal areas with seasonal demand and higher operating costs. He warned that harmonising fares to align with the most expensive zones would lead to higher prices for passengers in quieter areas such as Penwith, Kerrier, and Restormel, potentially making local travel unaffordable.

"This could make local travel unaffordable for residents, while encouraging drivers to abandon rural zones for the more profitable urban centres," he cautioned.

The drivers' concerns go beyond just fares, with Witchell emphasising: "This is about more than fares. It’s about survival." He argued that if fares are the same everywhere and zones are scrapped, drivers will be forced to prioritise profit over serving less lucrative rural areas.

"If fares are the same everywhere, and zones are scrapped, we’ll have no choice but to chase the money. That won’t be the less profitable rural areas, it’ll be Truro, Falmouth and Bodmin," he predicted.

While the council may cite national guidance recommending de-zoning, Witchell pointed out that the Department for Transport's own advice acknowledges that "'zoning may reflect local conditions or historical arrangements and may continue to be appropriate in some circumstances.'"

Critics like Witchell believe the plans are less about improving passenger service and more about council cost-cutting. "By unifying fares, the council is effectively laying the groundwork for de-zoning without any formal debate or consultation," he alleged.

He concluded by highlighting the potential negative impact on vulnerable residents: "The real losers will be the elderly, the disabled, and families in places no one will want to serve anymore."

Witchell passionately defended the current zoned system, stating: "The zoned system isn’t broken. It has evolved organically to reflect the needs of communities across Cornwall from town centres to isolated villages. It ensures fair pricing, viable business, and reliable service where it’s needed most."

He stressed the crucial role of zones in ensuring accessibility for rural passengers, saying: "The zones exist for a reason. They allow rural passengers to still get a cab in the middle of winter, and they let local drivers stay local without being forced to abandon their own communities to chase profit in city centres."

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