
Taxi passengers in Blackpool will soon face higher journey costs after local councillors approved a fare increase to help drivers cope with rising operational expenses.
Members of Blackpool Council’s Public Protection Sub-Committee backed the proposal put forward by the Blackpool Taxi Association, marking the first fare increase since February 2024.
Under the new pricing structure, starting fares across all tariffs will increase by 30p - with tariff one rising from £2.60 to £2.90 - representing an average fare increase of around 4.28 per cent, whilst tariff two will see a ten per cent rise.
The approved changes also adjust the distance passengers receive for their money. The yardage for tariff one has been reduced, meaning the standard 20p charge will now apply every 152 yards rather than every 160 yards.
The sub-committee agreed to the changes after hearing that a vast majority of the Blackpool Taxi Association's membership, alongside non-member drivers, supported the price adjustments in light of mounting economic pressures across the trade.
Defending the necessity of the increase, Neil Charnock of the Blackpool Taxi Association highlighted the growing financial strain on cab drivers. He explained that "just to keep the wheels turning costs more and more each year," pointing to sharp rises in fuel, vehicle replacements, insurance, licensing fees, testing, and maintenance.
He added: "To keep vehicles safe and roadworthy and passenger safety at the forefront, we need to ask the council to increase fares," describing the change as "a reasonable increase to help owners and drivers keep pace with costs we all have to bear."
Councillors deemed the adjustment reasonable given that fares had remained frozen for two years.
The proposed rate changes will now be formally advertised to the public, and if no formal objections are lodged, the council will officially implement the new fare structure across the town.

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