Maximum taxi fares in Northern Ireland to increase
Last updated 10th Nov 2023
The Department for Infrastructure has announced that maximum taxi fares in Northern Ireland will increase.
Maximum fares will increase by 9.5% during the day and 19.5% at all other times.
The increase is due to a lack of availability of taxis, particularly in the evenings and at weekends, which has led to concerns around public safety.
The two-tiered increase is designed to balance the needs of 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 said it recognises the impact of the current financial climate and the measures are being introduced to help the taxi industry and support the wider economy, while trying to ensure an affordable means of transport.
Regulations to allow the increases to be applied require a 21-day period before being implemented, meaning the increased fares will come into force on December 5 2023.
There has not been a devolved government in Northern Ireland for nearly two years due to the DUPs ongoing boycott over post-Brexit trading arrangements.
In the absence of ministers the decision to implement the fare rise was taken by the permanent secretary under the Northern Ireland Executive Formation Act 2022.
In August last year the department launched an eight-week public consultation over a potential increase in the maximum taxi fare tariff across Northern Ireland.
The consultation covered issues such as increases in fuel, vehicle maintenance/operating costs, depot fees and different fare bands for evenings/weekends.
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