Newport black cab fares could rise for first time in four years

Black cab prices in Newport could rise for the first time in four years, under new proposals.

The city council is expected to launch a consultation on new pricing for hackney carriages – vehicles for hire which can be flagged down on the street or picked up at designated taxi ranks.

The proposal for an increase of between 15% and 17% follows a request by the Newport Hackney Carriage Association earlier this year, according to a new council report.

The local authority’s licensing manager has deemed the proposed rise “reasonable – especially when considering the current financial difficulties especially around fuel prices and the fact that fares have not increased for four years”.

In the report, the council notes that since the last increase in 2022, the UK has “witnessed significant increases in the cost of both diesel and petrol”.

“In light of all these pressures, it is felt the request from the trade to increase the fares is reasonable, and should be the subject of consultation to seek the views of the broader trade and travelling members of the public who use hackney carriage vehicles,” it added.

The council can only set the maximum fees for journeys, and cab drivers are free to charge lower rates.

If approved the rate increase will only apply to the 80 or so hackney carriages in the city, and not to the more than 1,500 other taxis and private hire vehicles licensed in Newport.

A decision on the proposal is expected later this month, and if the relevant cabinet member supports the review of fees, a public consultation will be launched.