
Taxi drivers in North Tyneside are pressing the local council to approve an eight per cent fare increase to combat the spiralling cost of living and soaring business expenses.
The North Tyneside Hackney Carriage Association wants fares adjusted so that a typical three-mile journey would average £5.52.
Additional proposed changes include lifting the animal fee for non-service dogs from £3 to £4 and increasing clean-up charges from £125 to £130.
Drivers argue the hike is essential due to punishing financial pressures, pointing out that fuel prices have hit an 18-month high with super diesel at 194p a litre, vehicle parts up by 16 per cent, replacement cars and general vehicle costs up by 20 per cent, and tyre expenses rising by 10 per cent.
Despite acknowledging these severe industry struggles, local councillors have raised reservations about protecting vulnerable citizens.
Expressing caution over the full proposal, Councillor John O’Shea said: "I just don’t think we have got the right balance. I notice that the taxi trade has had significant uplifts in fuel and insurance and things like that, so they’ve been suffering for a little while."
He added, "My suggestion to the director of public health is to look at a balanced arrangement, not the 8% that has been suggested."
Pending a final decision by the director of public health, the fare proposals will be published for a minimum of 14 days to allow members of the public to raise objections.

Liam O’Leary, 46, (left) from Lincoln was jailed for 3 years and 4 months and Shane McHale, 23, also from Lincoln was jailed for 3 years and 2 months.

The incident happened at about 11.30pm on August 16 at the taxi rank on Court Square Brow, next to Carlisle Railway Station.

A Leeds private hire driver has been banned from the road for three years and stripped of his licence after nearly colliding with a police car while using a mobile phone at the wheel.

According to Department for Transport statistics from April 2026, this equates to a mere 0.6 vehicles for every 1,000 residents, placing the district among the areas most vulnerable to becoming a rural taxi desert.

Merseyside Police rushed to Rice Hey Road in Egremont at 4.10pm on Sunday, August 23, after receiving reports that a delivery worker in his 30s had suffered face and head injuries.

Paul Best, a 62-year-old chauffeur who runs Best Exec cars and works as a mayor's chauffeur, was driving for Fleetline in his taxi on Thursday morning, 20 August.

Stuart Halliday, 44, appeared at Worcester Magistrates’ Court on 20 August, facing charges including assault by beating against cabbie Azanuhr Rahman. The attack took place in Wychbold on 9 May 2025.

Wiltshire Police said the incident happened on July 31 when an unknown man took a taxi from Melksham to Trowbridge.

The players had been transported to the stadium as part of a pre-match travel trial, with the fleet of taxis booked to take them home after the fixture.

The incident took place at 11.30pm on June 27 when a cab picked up a customer at the station and drove them to Cornlands Road.

David McKinlay had to appear before Fife Council’s Regulation and Licensing Committee on Tuesday, August 18, when his application to work as a taxi driver was considered.

Councillors agreed unanimously to the proposed five per cent hike during a meeting of Argyll and Bute Council’s planning, protective services and licensing committee on Wednesday, August 19.

Chris Woodroofe, has defended the facility's parking charges, which contributed significantly to the Manchester Airports Group making £453 million from parking - about a third of its total income.

Allun Wright, who previously received a one-year licence and a warning in April last year, found himself back before the committee after DVLA checks revealed speeding offences in May and November.

Craig Lucas pleaded guilty to assault to severe injury during a hearing at Ayr Sheriff Court.

Despite the suspensions, the regulatory sub-committee chose against revoking any of the four licences entirely.

The veteran cabbie, in his late 70s had worked in the trade since 1981, pleaded with city councillors for leniency, explaining that losing his permit would harm his mental health.

The operation across the City Ward targeted community issues and road safety.

The vehicle was pulled over while travelling southbound near Penrith after officers noticed it speeding in the outside lane.

The incident unfolded after the cabbie collected Gregor Thomson and a friend at 10.30pm on May 5, with the passengers asking to be driven to a pharmacy while demanding the driver “make it quick”.
