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Posted on the 20th June 2025 in PHTM News
TONBRIDGE AND MALLING TAXI FARES SET TO JUMP BY UP TO 25 PER CENT
Catching a taxi in Tonbridge and Malling is about to get significantly more expensive, with the initial "flag" fee set to soar by 25%, from £4 to £5, starting August 1.
The changes, approved by the Tonbridge and Malling council, will see passengers pay more for shorter journeys, despite being able to travel an additional 293 yards for the initial charge.
While subsequent fare increases will remain in 20p increments, the distance covered per 20p will shrink from 125 yards to 117 yards.
This means a one-mile journey will jump from £5.40 to £6 – an 11% increase – and a two-mile trip will rise from £8.40 to £9, a 7.1% hike.
The proposals were put forward by the borough's taxi drivers, who cited that fares hadn't risen in three years. A petition signed by 66 cabbies last April initiated the review, with 78 of the 488 registered drivers who responded to a council poll supporting the increase, and only four against.
Anthony Garnett, the council’s head of service for licensing, noted that the council sets the maximum fare, allowing individual drivers the discretion to charge less.
In addition to journey fares, waiting times will also see a 25% increase, with 20p now covering just 24 seconds instead of 30. However, there's one piece of good news for passengers: the additional fee for weekend travel on Saturdays and Sundays will be abolished.
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