Taxi fares 2026/27
Open for comments from Monday 2 March to Sunday 15 March 2026.
The Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 advises for Hackney Carriages we “may fix the rates or fares within the district as well for time as distance, and all other charges in connection with the hire of a vehicle by means of a table.”
Fares comprise charges for:
- distance travelled (three tariffs, depending on time of day and day of the week)
- waiting time
Extra charges, which include:
- journeys with five or more passengers
- bicycles not able to put in the luggage compartment
- a potential fuel surcharge
- a vehicle unfit to continue working charge
Fare proposals
We propose to make the new table of Hackney Carriage fares applicable to the hire of Hackney Carriages within the city of Cambridge with effect from 1 April 2026.
There is a proposed fare increase of 3%, on the base fare, across main tariffs. In addition to amendments to distance of subsequent travel and waiting time.
The increase is based on the Consumer Price Index rate in January 2026 (announced on 18 February 2026), and then rounded to a practical figure.
In accordance with the statutory procedure set out in Section 6 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976, we are required to undertake public consultation prior to making any amendment to the Hackney Carriage Table of Fares.
Have your say
Any objections should be made using our survey.
Select the 'Take the survey' button on this page to leave your feedback.
We recommend completing the survey online where possible. However, anyone who would prefer to complete a hard copy of the survey can download this version here:
If you are completing a hard copy survey, please return it to our Customer Service Centre in person or via post at the following address:
Communications and Engagement Team, Customer Service Centre, Mandela House, 4 Regent Street, Cambridge, CB2 1BY
The survey closes on Sunday 15 March 2026. Any responses received after this date will not be considered.
If you are in need of any further assistance, please email us at communications@cambridge.gov.uk.
Next steps
We will collate the responses received and consider any objections and modify the proposed table of fares, if applicable.
Phases
Publish results
- Publish report with findings from survey.
Phase report
Add some text about the phase
Do you agree with the proposed new fares?
Do you have any other comments regarding the proposed changes to the Hackney Carriage Table of Fares?
Several respondents expressed concern about the high cost of taxi fares, with some stating that taxis are already expensive enough and objecting to any further increases. There is a clear trend against raising the initial flag drop/start fare, as multiple respondents emphasised that this is what customers notice most and that it should remain at current levels (£3.80 day, £5.00 night). Instead, if any adjustments are made, they should be to the mileage or yardage rate, not the starting fee.
Competition from private hire vehicles, especially those licensed outside the area (such as Uber and Veezu), was highlighted as a significant issue, with concerns that Hackney drivers are being undercut and losing work. One respondent noted that more Hackney plates have been handed back in recent years due to this competition.
There were also comments on the technical aspects of the fare structure: one respondent argued that the proposed waiting time of 29 seconds is unrealistic and should be at least one minute while another suggested reducing the yardage per 20p to 140 yards. A minority view was that the proposed new charges should actually be higher.
Overall, the most common themes were opposition to increasing the starting fare, concerns about competition from private hire vehicles, and a preference for any fare adjustments to focus on mileage or waiting time rather than the initial charge.