Posted on the 5th March 2026 in PHTM News

BASILDON FACES VITAL TAXI SHORTAGE AS COUNCIL FEARS FEE HIKES WILL DRIVE CABBIES AWAY

Basildon Council is raising the alarm over a shrinking number of taxi and private hire drivers, warning that the area is "experiencing loss" of a service described as essential for local residents.

Official documents set to be discussed at a licensing meeting on Thursday 5 March, reveal deep concerns that increasing licence fees for a second year in a row could cripple the industry further.

Local leaders fear that if more drivers hang up their keys, the most vulnerable members of the community will suffer.

Andy Barnes, leader of the Basildon Conservatives, highlighted the stakes for those who rely on cabs for daily life. "I think it affects people’s access to travel, I know for a lot of people access to cabs is vital, it’s essential," he said, noting that a lack of drivers could have "consequences for residents across the board," including children in special needs schools who depend on the service.

The council currently earns roughly £100,000 a year from licensing fees, but officials are advising against a price hike to avoid "push back" from angry drivers.

The council papers state: "It would not be advisable to increase the taxi and private hire fees as we would be likely to not only encounter a challenge from the trade as a result of an increase two years in a row, but also possibly lose further licensed vehicles and drivers."

With the trade already under pressure, there is a growing consensus that "increasing fees will discourage existing licence holders from re-applying in the short term."

Councillors are expected to weigh the small financial gain of a fee increase against the much larger risk of losing a transport lifeline that many residents simply cannot do without.


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