Posted on the 2nd September 2026 in PHTM News

ABERDEENSHIRE APPROVES FIVE PER CENT TAXI FARE RISE STARTING IN NOVEMBER TO HELP STRUGGLING OPERATOR

Taxi fares across Aberdeenshire are set to increase by five per cent from November after councillors voted to support the local trade, despite calls from industry figures for an even larger hike to combat soaring operating expenses.

The licensing sub-committee greenlit the fare adjustment following a low-turnout public consultation where participants highlighted cost-of-living pressures, though local operators warned that rising expenses threatened the viability of the service.

Central Taxis owner Paul Anderson dialled into the meeting to urge a 10 per cent rise, telling councillors that his fleet had shrunk from 100 vehicles down to 75 across bases in Peterhead, Ellon and Inverurie due to mounting insurance fees, fuel prices, minimum wage hikes and steep vehicle costs.

"The idea of having no increase to our fare scale for a further two years is absolutely ludicrous, given that every industry is facing significant costs to continue operating," Anderson said, pointing out that council fees had also spiked, with a one-year car licence rising from £237 to £265 and a driver badge jumping from £135 to £200.

He added: "The cost for us operating taxis is colossal, and the Shire would struggle without taxis, but we desperately need a fare increase."

While Anderson noted that overall customer demand remained steady, he explained that soaring costs meant companies could no longer afford to keep idle drivers on the road during quiet periods like Monday evenings in Inverurie. "We can’t sustain having vehicles out on the road and paying drivers by the hour to sit," he revealed, adding that reduced cab availability was making it harder to service the community.

Councillor Jim Gifford proposed the five per cent compromise, noting that taxis were becoming increasingly vital as the council scaled back subsidised bus services. "We’re asking communities to do more and more for themselves because the council cannot do the thing that we used to do years ago on many fronts, and this is really one of those examples," Gifford said, balancing the need to keep businesses afloat against avoiding excessive price hikes for passengers.

A counter-proposal by Councillor John Cox for a 10 per cent rise and a doubled festive rate was defeated before the five per cent increase passed by five votes to three.

Under the new scale taking effect in November, the standard rate for the first 880 yards will rise from £3.15 to £3.31, late-night fees will increase from £4.50 to £4.73, and festive tariffs will climb from £4.85 to £5.09.

Additional distance increments, waiting times, booking fees, and the cleanup charge for unacceptable mess will also see proportionate increases.


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