Posted on the 31st October 2025 in PHTM News
HEREFORDSHIRE COUNCILLOR ACCUSES LOCAL TAXI FIRMS OF RIPPING OFF THE COUNCIL
A Herefordshire county councillor has levelled a serious "ripping off" accusation against local taxi firms, claiming they are overcharging the council for school transport at a time of rising financial pressure.
Non-aligned councillor Jim Kenyon told a full council meeting that "unscrupulous" firms have been charging "up to four times what you’d pay on the meter to get our children to school." He warned: "I want to put the taxis on notice because... they’ve had it too good for too long and it’s ripping off (the council).”
He also suggested the high profitability of this work means some companies “will do school runs and that’s it,” leading to a lack of available taxis for other residents.
Council leader Cllr Jonathan Lester confirmed the council spends an “extremely high” £7 million a year on taxis—out of a £13 million school transport budget. He defended the council’s position by noting it had “to react to increased demand” for transport.
He added that any cost-saving strategy “needs detailed negotiation with individuals – you can’t just flick a switch. We don’t want a situation where that capacity dries up or is not viable.”
The claims were echoed by former taxi firm owner Lyndon Gore, who claimed some “unscrupulous” firms “charge what they want for school work,” then allegedly subcontract the jobs for less. He argued that instead of setting a rate, the council is simply saying, “give me a price.”
Cllr Pete Stoddart, cabinet member for finance and corporate services, addressed the concerns by stating the council is undertaking a “comprehensive review of our home-to-school transport services.”
He detailed immediate actions, including “direct engagement with taxi companies to renegotiate contracts and reduce costs, including minimising single-occupancy journeys.”
Other measures include new planning software, reviewing transport policies for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), and exploring in-house fleet options.
Cllr Stoddart concluded that like many councils, Herefordshire “have faced growing demands and rising costs in this area, which is why we are acting urgently... No final decisions have been made, and we remain committed to working transparently and constructively with all stakeholders.”
In response to Cllr Kenyon, Graham Wood, a representative for the Hereford Taxi Association, said: “I appreciate Cllr Kenyon is trying to highlight what he sees as a problem, but he is likely oblivious to our recent work (with the council’s review).”
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