Maximum taxi fares

Feedback updated 12 Oct 2026

We asked

We asked for any objections to proposed changes to Somerset’s maximum taxi fares. The proposals followed feedback from licence holders, with 59% supporting an increase, and took account of inflation and fuel costs since the current fares were introduced in May 2024.

We proposed increasing the maximum distance and waiting-time charges by 10%, alongside a discretionary booking fee of up to £10 for pre-booked journeys.

You said

We received 26 responses to this online consultation raising issues with the proposal.

6 Licensed taxi driver and/or taxi owner
17 taxi users
3 other

Respondents raised concerns the proposal risks pricing an essential service beyond many residents’ reach while simultaneously weakening demand for local taxi businesses. The potential social impact was also raised owing to greater isolation, particularly for disabled people, older residents, rural communities and those unable to drive.

We did

The matter was considered by the Executive Committee on 2 September 2026.

The approved changes include:

the maximum standard fare for journeys of up to one mile rising from £4.60 to £5.06.
Increases to maximum charges for additional mileage and waiting time.
Soiling fees and holiday surcharges remaining unchanged.

In light of the comments received, the Executive Committee did not approve the booking fee.

Results updated 12 Oct 2026

Councillor Federica Smith-Roberts, Somerset Council’s Lead Member for Communities, Environment and Climate Change, said:

“Regularly reviewing taxi fares is essential to ensure that Somerset residents and visitors continue to have access to safe, reliable and regulated transport.

“These changes reflect the real-world pressures faced by drivers while keeping fares competitive with neighbouring areas.”

Contact

John Rendell

(Licensing Manager)

Licensing

01823 219491

john.rendell@somerset.gov.uk

Overview

The cost of using a hackney carriage, more commonly known as a ‘taxi’, depends on when and how far you travel. The total cost is referred to as a ‘fare’ and is calculated on an electronic meter installed in the vehicle.

As well as licensing taxi drivers and vehicles, the Council can set the maximum that they can charge. The main charge is normally for the distance i.e. the further you go, the higher the end fare. There are also often extra charges for time delays, when there are higher numbers of passengers and costs are also multiplied during evenings, weekends and public holidays. When a Council sets maximum charges, it publishes them as a ‘table of fares’.

Tables of fares can vary dramatically from council to council, with different rates and/or percentage multipliers for different times of the day, days of the week and on public holidays. As the table of fares the council sets is a maximum rate that can be charged, this still leaves room for customers to negotiate lower fares and competition in the marketplace.

Somerset Council introduced the current table of maximum fares in May 2024. A survey of licence holders found that 59% supported some form of increase to the current maximum.

Having considered the results of the consultation alongside inflationary pressures since May 2024 and changes in fuel costs, it is considered reasonable to increase the maximum that can be charged for distance and waiting time by 10%.

The proposal also includes a discretionary maximum £10 booking fee for pre-booked fares, to incentivise drivers to offer services their services in more rural areas where they might have to travel not insignificant distances before even reaching the customer’s pick-up location.This isn’t included in the current table of fares, however a £20 booking fee was part of the maximum previously in force in the Sedgemoor licensing area.

The table of maximum fares proposed is as follows:

Standard Tariff
£5.06	First mile (currently £4.60)
£0.33	For each completed 1/10 of a mile or part thereof (currently £0.30)
Waiting Time
£1.10	Each completed 2 minutes (currently £1.00)
Non-standard Tariffs (only one per fare)
+ 50%	Monday to Friday between 22:00 and 07:00
+ 50%	Saturdays and Sundays all day
+ 50%	In excess of 4 passengers, Monday to Friday between 07:00 and 22:00
+ 100%	In excess of 4 passengers, Monday to Friday between 22:00 and 07:00
+ 100%	In excess of 4 passengers, Saturdays and Sundays all day
+ 100%	Public and Bank holidays, all day (including Christmas day)
+ 100%	Christmas Eve and New Years Eve, from 18:00 to 00:00
Extras
£100	Soiling Charge
£10	Booking fee when hire is pre-arranged (currently not included)
Full recharge	Toll / Clean air zone charges

Why your views matter

Anyone can object to the proposed new table, by responding to our consultation.

What happens next

If no objections are received, the proposed table will come into effect on the 20th of July 2026.

If objections are received, they will be considered at the meeting of the Council’s Executive Committee on the 2nd of September 2026. Details about the meeting, such as where it will be held, along with the agenda (once published) can be viewed here: Agenda for Executive on Wednesday, 2nd September, 2026, 10.00 am - Modern Council. The Executive Committee will decide to do one of the following:

Adopt that table in full.
Adopt a variation of that table.
Leave the tables of fares as they are.