Posted on the 14th August 2026 in PHTM News

COVENTRY TAXI FARES SET TO INCREASE AFTER UNITE UNION PROPOSALS APPROVED

Taxi fares in Coventry are set to increase after the city council approved proposals requested by the Unite union to change how passengers are charged.

The council explained that the adjustment "would retain the existing start fares but reduce the initial distance and time covered by those fares, resulting in fares moving to the next increment sooner."

Under the approved changes, the initial distance covered by the starting fare will drop from 0.922 km to 0.76 km. Furthermore, the initial waiting time included in that base price will decrease from up to 4.5 minutes down to up to 3.7 minutes.

Starting tariffs remain frozen at £3.80 for daytime journeys between 6am and 10pm, £4.60 for night-time trips between 10pm and 6am, and £4.90 for public holidays. For every additional 0.162 km travelled or 48 seconds waited past the initial threshold, passengers will pay an extra 30p for day and night trips, or 35p for holidays.

Officials noted that the strategy aims to protect passengers hiring from streets or ranks where negotiation is limited, while supporting the local plan by "helping to maintain safe, accessible and reliable taxi services for residents, visitors and businesses."

The council confirmed it receives no revenue from the fare changes and does not expect driver numbers to be affected.

The new fares are currently undergoing a 14-day advertising period for public objections, managed by senior licensing and enforcement officer Mick Coggins.

Any opposition will be reviewed by Cabinet Member for City Services, Councillor Patricia Hetherton, at a meeting scheduled for September 15 before a final decision is made.


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