Posted on the 11th September 2026 in PHTM News

ROCHFORD TAXI FARES TO RISE AS COUNCILLORS CLASH OVER IMPACT ON VULNERABLE RESIDENTS

Taxi fares across Rochford are heading upward, with the local district council agreeing to changes that will push up the cost of travel starting 1 October. The adjustment marks the first time local taxi fares have increased since May 2024.

Under the new structure for journeys taken between 6am and 9pm from Monday to Saturday, the initial charge for the first 440 yards or first two minutes will jump from £4 to £4.50. Subsequent running rates after that initial distance remain unchanged, starting at 20p per 170 yards and shifting to 20p per 134 yards once the fare passes £9.80.

The 50p addition to the flag fare sparked debate among councillors worried about fairness for regular passengers. Licensing committee member Councillor Angela Sutton raised alarms that shorter trips would bear the brunt of the change, pointing out that it "takes the minimum fare from £4 to £4.50 for the first 440 yards. That's an immediate 12.5 per cent increase right at the start."

Councillor Sutton warned that the pricing structure would disproportionately affect everyday users relying on brief trips. She added: "If an elderly pensioner or a resident with mobility issues takes a short half-mile trip to the doctor, the chemist, the food shops, then they're taking an immediate 12.5 per cent hit."

She also questioned why the entire increase was loaded onto the starting price rather than adjusted across the running distance to help drivers cope with fuel costs.

Defending the decision, committee chairperson Councillor Tina Hughes drew on her background in the industry to support the local trade. Having spent 25 years as a taxi driver before becoming a councillor, she noted that she understands the financial pressures involved.

Councillor Hughes stated: "With the continuing cost of the living increases and the fact that theirs have not been increased since 2024, I believe that a 50p increase into the flag fare is fair for both drivers and the customers."

She emphasised that drivers face heavy outlays for training, licensing, vehicle maintenance, insurance, and fuel, concluding that the council must support the trade so workers can earn a reasonable income.


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