Taxi fares in Glasgow are set for another increase, with a proposed average rise of 3.32%, as the city’s licensing committee reviews recommendations from an independent fare assessment. Under the proposal, the starting fare, known as the flag fall, would rise from £4.40 to £4.50, reflecting rising operating costs across the trade.
The review, carried out by transport expert Dr. James Cooper, concluded that “the costs of operating a taxi in Glasgow have increased,” prompting calls for adjustments to both day and night fares. The soiling charge – levied when a vehicle requires cleaning due to a passenger incident – would also increase slightly, from £46 to £47.
However, some trade representatives believe the recommended adjustments do not go far enough, especially for late-night work. The Glasgow Taxi Owners Federation is calling for the current night surcharge, which adds £1.50 to fares between 9pm and 6am, to be raised to £2. They argue the increase would help encourage more drivers to work during unsociable hours. In addition, they are proposing extra charges for carrying more than two passengers.
The review also proposes minor technical adjustments, including shortening the distance and time thresholds for fare increments. The distance covered before each additional 30p charge would drop from 889 yards to 880 yards, while the time threshold would reduce from 167 seconds to 165 seconds.
Insurance costs have become a major point of contention in the debate. While Dr. Cooper’s report states that insurance premiums have declined during the review period, Unite the Union’s Glasgow cab section strongly disputes this. According to a survey of their members, not a single driver has reported a decrease, with most citing an average rise of around 8% in insurance premiums.
Unite has also raised concerns over rising radio dispatch fees, high vehicle purchase costs, and the impact of scrapped government grants for vehicle upgrades. The union is urging Glasgow City Council to broaden the list of approved taxi vehicles, arguing that restricting suppliers is driving up costs unnecessarily. “The dependence on local suppliers is preventing competitiveness, as more cost-effective vehicles are now available across the UK,” a spokesperson said.
Further confusion has arisen around how festive surcharges are calculated. Unite claims there remains a lack of clarity on whether the £2.70 Christmas and New Year surcharge is applied in addition to the £1.50 night charge, calling for clearer guidance from the council.
Despite the debate, Glasgow Taxis — one of the city’s largest operators — has stated it is broadly satisfied with the review’s conclusions, noting the report is “in line with their thinking” and presents an accurate reflection of the industry’s current state.
The proposed changes will be presented to Glasgow City Council’s licensing committee on Wednesday, June 18, where trade groups will have the opportunity to make further representations before any final decisions are made.
The last taxi fare review, which took effect in September 2024, resulted in a 9.72% increase.
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