Posted on the 3rd September 2026 in PHTM News

IPSWICH BC CONSIDERS 3 PER CENT TAXI FARE RISE TO HELP DRIVERS WITH OPERATING COSTS

Taxi fares for licensed hackney carriages in Ipswich could soon increase by up to around three per cent under new proposals by the council.

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

The proposed changes were prompted by a request from the Ipswich Station Taxi Tenants Association, which represents seventy licensed drivers.

Following an internal consultation where seventy-two per cent of responding drivers backed higher fees, the council noted the adjustments are designed to help workers cope with escalating operating costs such as fuel and insurance, roughly mirroring the three point twenty-four per cent Consumer Price Index increase recorded up to June 2026.

Rather than applying a flat percentage across the board, the new structure alters meter distances and waiting-time charges.

For a two-mile daytime journey, the current fare of £8 would rise by 10p to £8.10 – an increase of 1.25%. The proposed night-time fare would increase from £10 to £10.10, while the Christmas and New Year rate would rise from £11.80 to £11.90.

At 20 miles, the proposed increases would be 3.2% for the daytime and night tariffs, and 3.1% for the Christmas and New Year tariff.

The council says the proposals broadly reflect the 3.24% Consumer Price Index increase for the year to June 2026.

Council officials highlighted that Ipswich would remain comparatively affordable, with the proposed daytime fare placing the town joint 78th out of 344 national authorities.

Residents and drivers will have the opportunity to voice objections or suggest alternatives during the upcoming statutory consultation.


Read another story