
Taxi journeys in Blaenau Gwent may soon become more expensive as councillors consider proposals to raise fare tariffs following a direct appeal from local cab drivers.
A special meeting of the Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council General Licensing committee is set to review a consultation report that examines several ways to adjust pricing to help the trade cope with rising expenses.
The review was triggered after the local authority received numerous requests from drivers asking for the minimum fare to increase from £4 to £4.50 in response to spiking fuel prices.
Drivers also put forward alternative suggestions during the public consultation, including moving the start time for higher night rates from 10pm to 6pm, or implementing higher tariff charges until fuel costs drop.
The council noted that setting the balance correctly is vital, stating: “This report seeks to enable the authority to continue to set an appropriate fare tariff for the taxi trade to support thriving, competitive and affordable taxi services for the public in Blaenau Gwent.”
Officials also warned that while fares set too low could make local taxi businesses economically unviable and reduce driver numbers, setting them too high might negatively affect public demand.
Under the current pricing structure, a two-mile journey costs £6.40, which sits below the UK average of £7.46.
The proposals being reviewed include raising the basic minimum to £4.50 alongside adjusted per-mile rates, which would push a two-mile trip up to either £7.26 or £7.50 depending on the chosen option.
Further adjustments under consideration involve higher holiday rates around Christmas and New Year, as well as extended evening tariffs.
The consultation gathered 120 total responses from hackney cab drivers. The feedback and advice from the committee will ultimately guide Mark Thomas, the joint director of neighbourhoods and environment, who holds the final authority on deciding the new fare structures.

Under the proposed Taxi and Private Hire Policy for 2026-2031, officials want to scrap acquired rights - commonly known as grandfather rights - for vehicles licensed before July 2022 to modernise the city's ageing fleet.

Jonathan Mitchell, 25, targeted the cabbie after changing destinations multiple times in South Shields, prompting the driver to radio his control room for police assistance.

The private hire driver was caught operating a silver Renault Master that carried the children - including a wheelchair user - and a passenger assistant to a school in Chorley.

The meeting covered concerns about the knowledge test and the promised Licensing Panel safeguard after three failed attempts - including an experienced driver who has been unable to work while his renewal remains unresol

The key objective of Glasgow Taxis’ trained and PVG-checked marshals is to help the public access a taxi safely and as quickly as possible at designated ranks, particularly at the conclusion of highly attended events.

Ipswich BC's Executive is being asked to approve a public consultation at a meeting on September 8. If no objections are raised, the revised tariffs could come into effect on October 13.

The company, which launched in Nigeria in 2014 and Uganda two years later, described the move as a difficult decision.

The taxi trade in Stirling as well as members of the public are to be consulted over proposals to increase taxi fares by 11.7 per cent and to introduce new tariffs to cover the festive period.

Warwick DC's cabinet is set to decide on 9 September, whether to approve the rise for the area's 127 hackneys, which would mark the first adjustment to the maximum permitted charges in two years.

Mohammad Anwar had his renewal application rejected by Glasgow City Council's licensing committee following a formal objection raised by Police Scotland.

Mark Johnson, owner of Lincs Coast Taxis, met Sarah after picking up the family - she explained her son Oliver had been treated that day for a brain tumour, the driver was deeply moved.

Tom Hayes MP recently hosted a meeting with taxi and private hire drivers at St Saviour's Church to hear about the reforms they would recommend as the Government brings forward a draft law.

The incident occurred on Wednesday evening, 2 September, at around 5.40pm as the victim was walking towards the city centre. 

Cardiff-based private hire technology firm Veezu has purchased Triple 20 Taxi Cars, adding around 270 self-employed drivers across Dudley and Sandwell to its growing regional network.

Users across the city can be matched with a driverless Ford Mustang Mach-E, though the chances are currently slim with only 15 vehicles licensed out of the capital's 100,000 Ubers.

Under the scheme, penalty points can be issued for minor infringements of licence conditions. The points issued will depend on the nature and seriousness of the breach and will remain on a driver’s record for three years

The comprehensive updates, which took effect on September 1, 2026, streamline the application process for drivers while modernising vehicle standards and passenger requirements across the county.

The licensing sub-committee greenlit the fare adjustment following a low-turnout public consultation where participants highlighted cost-of-living pressures.

The local authority held the urgent meeting to implement a temporary licensing change after iCars boss Neil McLennan was ordered to strip remembrance emblems from his fleet of taxis.

Somerset Council’s executive committee is expected to approve the new tariff structure today, 2 September, to help drivers cope with mounting fuel and insurance expenses.
