Taxi fares are set to rise across Worcester as fuel and running costs climb, a move approved by the city council at the Worcester Taxi Association’s request. The changes apply to Hackney carriage journeys and are designed to help more than 200 drivers represented by the association. The increases include raising the initial hiring charge from £4.30 to £5 on Tariff 1 (standard journeys) and from £5.50 to £6.40 for Tariff 2, which covers hours from midnight to 07:00 and Sundays, bank holidays and other selected dates.
The proposed hikes will undergo a statutory consultation, with the last fare increase having been introduced in 2022. Niall McMenamin, principal licensing officer, said the council sets the maximum charges for Hackney carriages in the city. He noted that fuel price rises are only part of the picture, emphasising that vehicle running costs, licence fees that have risen each year, and the general cost of living also factor into the decision.
Committee chair Councillor Richard Udall warned that higher prices could suppress demand by pushing some customers toward cheaper options. He said, “I’ve got serious concerns about the impact this will have on the taxi industry,” adding that many consumers may struggle to understand or appreciate the difficulties they face or the fact that the consumer has a choice. The fare increase will apply to Hackney carriages—taxis that can be hailed on the street or hired from a rank—while private hire vehicles, which must be pre-booked, are not affected.
