Glasgow taxi fares to increase by nearly 20% after no objections

A move to increase Glasgow taxi fares by 19.36% will now go ahead after no objections emerged during a public notice period.

People had the option to give feedback on the fare increase for a month after it was agreed at the council’s licensing and regulatory committee in January.

No representations were received about the rise in fares after a public notice was published in the Glasgow Times.

Research found that taxi drivers’ costs in the city soared by 19.36% over the course of 18 months between February 2021 and September 2022.

The minimum charge is to rise from £3.40 to £4. The £4 fee is for a distance not exceeding 886 yards and a time not exceeding two minutes 46 seconds.

The time charge is to be changed from an increment of 20p to 30p and the soiling charge is to go up from £35 to £42.

Night time additional fees are also rising from £1.20 to £1.40 after 11pm and before 6am.

On Wednesday, the licensing and regulatory committee agreed to instruct the council’s director of legal and administration to give notice of the decision to raise fares in line with licensing legislation.

However, a taxi operator will still have the option to lodge an appeal with the Traffic Commissioner for the Scottish Traffic Area against the new taxi fare decision, which would mean it would be suspended until dealt with.