Full Breakdown
North Tyneside Taxi Drivers Seek 8 % Fare Rise Amid Rising Operating Costs
8/22/2026, 8:29:39 PM
Proposed 8 % Taxi Fare Increase
The North Tyneside Hackney Carriage Association (NTHCA) has asked North Tyneside Council to approve an 8 % increase in hackney-carriage fares. Under the proposal, a three-mile journey would cost an average of £5.52 per mile. The request applies only to street-hailable hackney carriages, not pre-booked vehicles, and is pending approval from the director of public health. The proposals will be published for at least 14 days and open to objections.
Drivers' Cost Pressures
NTHCA cites several cost drivers: super-diesel is priced at 194 pence per litre, vehicle-part prices have risen 16 %, tyre costs 10 %, and both replacement-vehicle and overall vehicle costs are up roughly 20 %. The association argues that these increases, combined with a broader cost-of-living squeeze, make the current fare structure unsustainable for drivers.
Council Response
Labour councillor John O'Shea expressed concern that an 8 % hike may not balance the needs of drivers with those of residents, particularly the elderly. O'Shea suggested the director of public health consider a more balanced arrangement rather than the full 8 % increase.
Financial Impact Details
In addition to fare changes, the council is proposing modest increases to ancillary charges: fines for car theft would rise from £125 to £130, and charges for dogs and other animals (excluding service dogs) would go from £3 to £4. These adjustments are part of the broader effort to offset rising operational expenses for drivers.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I just don't think we have got the right balance.” — John O'Shea, labour councillor
Next Steps
The fare proposal will be posted for public comment for a minimum of two weeks. Following the objection period, the director of public health will decide whether to endorse the 8 % increase or modify it in line with councillor O'Shea’s call for a balanced approach.
