A Herefordshire councillor has publicly criticised local taxi firms, accusing them of “ripping off” the council by charging up to four times the normal meter fare for school transport contracts.
During a full council meeting, Councillor Jim Kenyon said he wanted to “put taxis on notice” following reports that operators were charging inflated rates to take children to school. According to a report by Yahoo News, Kenyon claimed the work had become so profitable that some firms now focus solely on school runs, leaving residents struggling to book regular taxis.
Kenyon told fellow councillors:
“They’ll do school runs and that’s it. Residents can’t get taxis, and it’s costing the council — and therefore local taxpayers — far more than it should.”
The councillor suggested that tighter oversight and competitive pricing reviews may be necessary to ensure public money is being spent fairly. While no specific companies were named, his remarks come amid broader scrutiny over how councils across the UK handle special educational needs (SEN) and school transport contracts, where local authorities rely heavily on private hire operators.
Herefordshire Council is currently reviewing its contract structures and costs in light of mounting budget pressures.
Industry and local impact
The comments have sparked debate within the taxi and private hire sector, with many operators pointing out that rising insurance, fuel, and vehicle maintenance costs have significantly increased their overheads since the pandemic.
For licensed drivers, school transport contracts can offer reliable income, but critics warn that over-reliance on such work could reduce availability for residents needing taxis for everyday use — particularly in rural areas.
If councils respond by tendering contracts more widely or introducing capped rates, this could reshape how local firms operate, especially smaller, family-run operators.
DM News Commentary:
Councillor Kenyon’s criticism highlights a wider tension across many UK regions: balancing fair pay for licensed taxi operators with public accountability in council-funded contracts. While some local drivers say the rates reflect increased operational costs, others agree that transparency and consistent pricing are essential to maintain trust. As Herefordshire reviews its transport budgets, the outcome could set a precedent for how other councils approach school-run contracts in 2026.
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