Taxi fares could be going up again in Blackpool - here is how much your ride home will cost

Late-night party-goers are facing another increase in the cost of their taxi home with the cost of a five-mile journey after midnight set to rise by £2 in Blackpool.

Councillors are being asked to approve an increase in hackney cab fares after a request from the Blackpool Taxi Association to meet rising costs.

If approved, the changes would mean an average increase of nine per cent across all tariffs - and follows a rise of nine per cent last year. The new fares would come into effect in March.

A report to the public protection sub-committee, which is due to consider the proposals on Tuesday, February 20, says while fuel prices have stabilised, other costs have increased. It is also hoped the move will attract drivers, especially at peak times when some passengers are having to wait for an available cab.

The report says the last increase in January 2023 saw "wholesale changes to the fare structure" and was "largely due to the economic climate and the impact of increased fuel costs". It added: "Since the last increase was approved fuel prices have somewhat stabilised."

But it adds licensing officers do "not consider the proposals to be unreasonable given the increases in the cost of living and the need to encourage drivers to service ranks at times of peak demand".

Proposed new fares

For passengers the proposed new fares would see the cost of a five-mile day-time journey (6am to 8pm) increase from £13 to £13.60; an evening journey (8pm to midnight) increase from £16 to £17.60; and a ride in the early hours of the morning (midnight to 6am) would go up from £16.60 to £18.60.

But even with the proposed rise, Blackpool's fares would still be below many other towns with a two-mile day time journey in the resort costing £7 compared to the national average of £7.23.

Why fares are rising

Last year the Blackpool Taxi Association warned vehicle maintenance costs had risen by between 20 per cent and 90 per cent, insurance by up to 25 per cent, and the cost of a 10-year-old black cab was up to £12,000 compared to £3,000 12 months ago dependent on mileage. Operators had also struggled to recruit new drivers, particularly to work at night, following the pandemic which had led to passengers having long waits on some occasions.