North Yorkshire Council has launched a six-week public consultation to review the maximum fares that taxi drivers can charge across the county. The aim is to strike the right balance between fair pay for drivers and affordable travel for passengers.
The council sets the upper limit that licensed taxi drivers are allowed to charge. These fares are reviewed regularly to ensure they remain reasonable for customers while also covering the rising costs faced by drivers. Importantly, these are maximum fares. Drivers are free to charge less if they wish.
The current review does not apply to private hire vehicles, which are booked in advance. Fares for those journeys are set by the operator rather than the council. Passengers using private hire vehicles are encouraged to agree on the price before they travel.
As part of the review, the council has compared the current table of fares with those set by neighbouring authorities. The consultation is an opportunity for residents, drivers and local businesses to have their say on whether the current rates are still appropriate.
Cllr Greg White, North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for licensing, said: “It’s important that we strike the right balance between ensuring fares remain reasonable and affordable for passengers, while also reflecting the costs of operating a licensed vehicle so drivers are fairly rewarded.
“We encourage residents, drivers, and other stakeholders to share their views on the current maximum taxi fares across North Yorkshire before the end of July.”
The consultation is open until Monday, 28 July. To take part, visit www.northyorks.gov.uk/maximum-fares.
