The Department for Infrastructure has announced a decision to increase maximum taxi fares.
Maximum fares will increase by 9.5% during the day and 19.5% at all other times (see Notes to Editor). Drivers may charge less than the maximum if they wish.
This increase is being put in place in the context of challenges about the availability of taxis, particularly in the evenings and at weekends, which has led to concerns around public safety.
The two-tiered increase to the fare structure is designed to balance the needs of taxi customers, including vulnerable passengers who are more likely to use taxis on a daily basis, with those of drivers and operators who face rising fuel costs.
The Department recognises the impact of the current financial climate on the public and these measures are being introduced to assist the taxi industry and support the wider economy, while trying to ensure an affordable means of public transport.
The Department needs to make regulations to allow the increases to be applied. The regulations require a 21 day period before being implemented and they will come into force on 5 December 2023.
Notes to editors:
- A decision to implement the fare rise has been taken by the Permanent Secretary under the Northern Ireland Executive Formation Act 2022.
- The maximum fare will increase by 9.5% for Rate 1 and by 19.5% for Rates 2 to 4. Corresponding increases are also implemented for the initial charge. The detail below presents the four Rates by operating times and a summary of the approximate cost of the first mile of a journey by taxi (which includes the initial charge) and then the added cost for each additional mile.
- Rate 1: (Monday to Friday, 06:00-20:00) Initial charge of £3.20, approximate charge for first mile £4.20 and £1.86 charged for all additional miles
- Rate 2: (Monday to Thursday, 20:00-06:00) Initial charge of £4.00, approximate charge for first mile £5.10 and £2.03 charged for all additional miles
- Rate 3: (Friday 20:00 – Monday 06:00 and specified days) Initial charge of £5.00, approximate charge for first mile £6.10 and £2.03 charged for all additional miles
- Christmas and New Year Rates: (From 14:00 Christmas Eve – 06:00 27 December and from 20:00 31 December – 24:00 1 January) Initial Charge £5.80 and approximately £7.70 for first mile) and £3.60 for every additional mile.
The Taximeter Fare Card detailing the new rates is available on NI Direct: Taximeter fare card | nidirect
- On 12 August 2022, the Department launched an eight-week public consultation seeking views on a potential increase in the maximum taxi fare tariff across Northern Ireland. The consultation addressed issues such as increases in fuel, vehicle maintenance/operating costs, depot fees and different fare bands for evening/weekends.
- The consultation generated 790 responses. These included responses submitted by the Consumer Council, individual taxi drivers and members of the public, along with the larger taxi companies and local Airports as well as a wide range of other businesses and stakeholders. The synopsis of the responses from the Consultation can be accessed through this link – Taxi Fare Increase Synopsis of Responses
- All media queries should be directed to the Department for Infrastructure Press Office at: press.office@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk.
- The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service for media enquiries only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.
- Follow the Department on Twitter @deptinfra on Facebook @DepartmentforInfrastructure and on LinkedIn.