Posted on the 17th October 2025 in PHTM News

ROYAL BOROUGH COUNCIL APPROVES RISE IN DAYTIME TAXI FARES

Councillors in the Royal Borough have voted in favour of an increase in hackney carriage fares, which was described as "long overdue" and necessary to align prices with the rate of inflation.

A petition by a group of drivers called on the council to approve a 10 per cent price increase for the standard day fare, and to raise the minimum day fare from £6 to £7.

A council report noted that the current tariff for a two-mile journey was lower than in all other Berkshire authorities and most neighbouring areas.

Greg Nelson, the council's trading standards and licensing manager, assured that the proposed increase would not be "out of line" with neighbours.

However, the vast majority of drivers (49 out of 50) were against increasing the nighttime fare (Tariff 2), which is charged from 11pm to 6am and on bank holidays.

A driver representative stated: “We don’t want to burden customers with another tariff 2 [nighttime fare] rise. We acknowledged the competition and we as a trade had to think what was best for our trade.”

Councillors ultimately backed the proposed change to the day tariff.

Councillor Neil Knowles supported the motion, stating: “People have got to make a living, that’s a fact... I’m inclined to swing quite heavily behind [the drivers’] overwhelming opinion.” 

Councillor Mark Wilson also deemed the price increase “very much overdue.”

Cllr Simon Bond agreed that an increase is needed but also advised drivers to consider a future rise for their night tariff as well. He said drivers should consider increasing the night tariff by 5 per cent in six months’ time to ‘strike the right balance’.

The licensing panel voted to increase the day tariff fare by 10 per cent, with no changes to the night tariff at this stage.

A 14-day statutory consultation period will now begin, allowing residents to comment on the price increase before it is implemented.


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