Posted on the 17th June 2026 in PHTM News

BOSTON TAXI FARE HIKE HALTED OVER CONCERNS FOR DISABLED AND ELDERLY RESIDENTS

Plans to raise taxi fares across Boston have been put on hold after councillors raised serious concerns that the price hikes would hit vulnerable and rural residents the hardest.

The Boston Hackney Carriage Association (BHCA) proposed the increases to combat rising fuel, staff, and insurance costs, noting that maximum fares have not changed since August 2022.

The plan outlines increases to the distance rates across the town's three fare tariffs, alongside raising the maximum booking fee from £8 to £10 and bumping a fuel surcharge from 20 pence to £1 per journey. The association also requested earlier start times for higher evening and holiday tariffs.

However, at a regulatory and appeals committee meeting, the proposals faced strong political pushback.

Councillor Anne Dorrian expressed deep concern that the changes could make Boston the “most expensive” borough for taxis in the county. She highlighted the social risk of the decision, stating, “I also worry that one of the biggest impacts that these increases could have would be on our disabled residents and our elderly residents who may rely heavily on taxis, especially those who live in more rural communities.”

Declaring that the council simply did not have “enough evidence” to make an informed decision yet, Cllr Dorrian's stance was backed by Councillor James Cantwell.

He agreed that there was "not enough information" from the BHCA, particularly since his own ward sits furthest from the town centre and would be heavily impacted by distance charges.

In contrast, Councillor Stephen Woodliffe supported the taxi drivers, arguing that free-market competition would keep prices fair.

“I’ve got no particular objection to the proposals because each operator can decide whether they want to charge more or charge less,” he said. “I mean that’s the nature of capitalism or wherever. You charge what you want to charge - or essentially you charge what you think you can charge.”

Despite the debate, the committee chose to delay the bid. The proposals will now be sent to a future cabinet meeting where a final decision will be made.


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