
Taxi fares in Stirling are set to rise by more than three times the rate of inflation after local councillors approved a controversial 11.7 per cent overall price increase, overriding strong opposition from members of the public.
The decision was finalised during a special meeting of the Stirling Council Planning and Regulation Panel on 2 November.
Under the newly approved structure, basic flag drop rates will rise across the board, with Tariff One moving from £3.50 to £3.90, Tariff Two increasing from £4.10 to £4.60, and Tariff Three jumping from £5.60 to £6.20.
Distance increments for these core tariffs have also been shortened, meaning meters will run faster while waiting time charges remain unchanged.
The panel also introduced major changes to festive travel. Tariff Two will no longer apply over Christmas and New Year, replaced instead by a new Tariff Four running from 6pm on 24 December to 6am on 26 December, and 6pm on 31 December to 6am on 2 January, charging a £6.20 flag drop with distance increments set at 46.8 yards.
A specialised Tariff Five was also introduced for vehicles carrying five or more passengers over the same festive periods, featuring a £10 flag drop and a distance increment of 28.2 yards.
The price hike followed a public consultation that drew 323 responses, split between 216 members of the public and 107 members of the taxi trade.
While drivers generally supported the increase to offset mounting operational costs and keep services viable, residents voiced widespread disagreement.
Public feedback highlighted severe concerns over the cost of living, with many warning that the steep price increase would disproportionately hit low-income households, rural residents, older people, disabled individuals, and those without private cars who rely on local taxis.

In a recent interview Khan argued that politicians have failed to grasp the sheer speed of technological change and insisted that TfL must be granted direct licensing powers to cap vehicle numbers. 

Violent passenger, Alexander Hindmarsh, who threatened to stab a cabbie in the face and cut out his eyeballs during a terrifying knifepoint attack has been jailed for more than seven years. 

Taxi Law has published research showing that approximately £1.1bn a year could be raised by applying VAT uniformly to private hire fares across the UK.

A long-serving private hire driver has failed in his bid to regain his licence following an alleged sexual assault, despite assuring councillors that police dropped the case without charge.

Mo Ali, a local cabbie, revealed that the problem has escalated sharply in recent weeks, warning that passengers have been spotted carrying bags packed with counterfeit notes. 

Lindsay Scott appeared before Workington’s Magistrates’ Court, where she formally admitted three separate offences stemming from the events of 31 August. 

The victim was targeted while working on Anchor Road at around 4am on Saturday, 20 September, when a group of unknown individuals hurled racial slurs at him before launching a physical attack. 

Mr Nirupakaran previously faced committee scrutiny in May after receiving nine points on his DVLA licence for striking a pedestrian while driving at night in 2023.

The plans would increase fares by approximately 6% for taxis carrying up to four passengers and 8.6% for larger vehicles carrying five to eight passengers.

A Manchester-licensed Hackney Carriage driver has been fined and handed EIGHT penalty points after illegally accepting a fare outside his licensing area following a Manchester United match.

Working alongside licensing enforcement officers from Bristol, South Gloucestershire, North Somerset, Newport and Wolverhampton councils, officers uncovered a number of licensing and vehicle compliance issues.

The driver was caught by Liverpool City Council enforcement officers during an operation in March.

A Peterborough private hire operator is putting community spirit into action by supporting a lifesaving charity.

No further details have been disclosed about the nature of the allegations, the drivers’ identities or the police intelligence involved.

Applicants will no longer have to answer questions about the quickest or most efficient routes, with the council arguing that modern sat-nav technology makes this element of the test unnecessary.

Joshua Stack, 25, from Stafford, was over the drink-drive limit when his vehicle crossed into the opposite lane in January 2024, colliding with an oncoming Toyota Avensis taxi.

Directors Tom Shanks and Ben Bell say the acquisition is part of a strategy to expand into areas where the company believes its technology, operational resources and experience can strengthen existing local taxi business

The expansion, announced on 3 November, includes major cities such as New York, Paris and Singapore, with further destinations expected to be added.

A North Northants taxi trade rep is demanding answers after figures revealed that the number of licensed Hackney carriages has fallen by more than a fifth since 2022, while private hire vehicle numbers have increased by 

The deal further strengthens Express Cabs’ position as what the company describes as the largest independently owned taxi operator in Kent and the South East outside London.
