
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.

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