The cost of getting a taxi in Manchester is soon set to rise under plans approved by local council bosses. Day and night taxi tariffs; cost per mile; and waiting time fares for Manchester taxis are all due to be increased in the coming months.
Manchester City Council’s Executive Member for Vibrant Neighbourhoods, Councillor Lee-Ann Igbon, has approved plans that would provide additional support to the Hackney Carriage trade, given the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, as well as the lingering impact of the Covid pandemic. Recommendations made by the Executive include the acceptance of card payments soon being mandatory for Hackney Carriage drivers.
The news comes in the wake of concern raised by unions GMB and Unite, which highlighted the challenges drivers face in the current economic climate. Some of the issues outlined in a council report included the challenge of affording to maintain and replace older vehicles in the current economic climate, as well as how fewer drivers are working within the Hackney trade, particularly at night.
The council stated that the unit cost per mile on all tariffs will go up by 8%; the waiting time fare will increase by 23%; the day flag tariff will go up to £3.40; and the night flag tariff will increase to £3.80. The current price of a two mile journey would increase from £7 to £8.20, and during the night-time or on a public holiday Manchester taxi fares would rise from £9.20 to £10.30.
Following this approval, a consultation on the proposed changes to Manchester taxi fares will run through to the end of September, with a view to implementing changes during October (dependent on any objections being received).
In the Hackney Carriage Fare Review, it was reported that the number of licensed drivers has reduced by 214 in the last 12 months alone, and by a further 178 the 12 months prior to that. There are also 392 fewer Hackney drivers since 2021.