Posted on the 18th February 2026 in PHTM News

SUNDERLAND CABBIES PUSH FOR FARE HIKE TO COMBAT PROHIBITIVE COSTS

Sunderland city councillors have moved a step closer to increasing taxi fares across the city following a Licensing and Regulatory Committee meeting on 16 February, when it was agreed to launch a formal notice period for revised taxi fares.

The Sunderland Hackney Carriage Operators’ Association (SHCOA) is seeking an average increase of 4.1 per cent across its three main tariffs to help drivers survive a surge in overheads.

The trade group warned in a letter that the industry is struggling with the rising price of repairs, insurance, energy, labour and insurance premiums.

Trevor Hines of the SHCOA told the Licensing and Regulatory Committee that the "biggest problem we have at the moment is the cost of vehicles," specifically highlighting the "almost prohibitive cost" of replacement wheelchair-accessible and electric vehicles.

He explained that the application is a necessary attempt to "mitigate those costs" while acknowledging that the cost-of-living crisis is "affecting everybody."

While a majority of taxi operators agreed to the request, Mr Hines clarified it would be “wrong to say that all three groups were unanimous” and noted members of the “Sunderland independents” were concerned about competition from Uber and were “very reticent” to increase fares.

However, the SHCOA argued that the increase is "both necessary and justified under the current prevailing circumstances." 

A formal notice period will now allow the public to voice any objections to be made and if none are received then the variations could come into operation as early as April 1, 2026.


Read another story