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We would like to hear your views on our options for this year’s taxi (black cab) fares and tariffs review. We are also proposing changes to fares for journeys which begin or end at Heathrow Airport.
The consultation period has now closed. You can find updates on the scheme in the 'Latest news' section.
Why
We regularly review taxi (black cab) fares and normally make changes once a year, following a public consultation. Taxis are an important part of London’s transport services. They provide an accessible option for people who may find using public transport difficult and offer an alternative to the use of private cars, which can contribute to improving congestion and air quality. We want to ensure that taxi drivers are able to cover their operating costs and are paid fairly for their work. This helps ensure that being a taxi driver remains an attractive career option.
The number of licensed taxi drivers has been falling for several years. So it’s important to try and find a balance between taxi drivers being able to cover their costs and be paid fairly, and the public not using taxis as the fares are too expensive.
When we review fares and tariffs, we use the Cost Index which takes into account changes in taxi drivers’ operating costs and changes in average national earnings. You can read more about the Cost Index here.
This year taxi driver operating costs have increased by 4.17%, with average national earnings increasing by 3.31%.
We try to strike a balance between drivers being fairly paid and taxi customers being charged a fair and affordable fare.
Taxi fares are calculated using different tariffs. There are three tariffs covering shorter journeys (six miles or less). Tariff 1 covers journeys made during Monday to Friday day times, Tariff 2 covers journeys made during weekday evenings and the daytime on Saturday and Sunday, and Tariff 3 covers journeys made at night time and on public holidays.
Tariff 4 covers any part of a journey over six miles. In all the options, Tariff 4 would be amended to be the same as Tariff 2.
You can find the current tariff rates on our website.
There is a minimum fare charged, which is currently £3.80. We are considering changes to both the minimum fare and Tariffs 1, 2 and 3, and would like to hear your views.
Minimum fare
We would like to know if you think we should:
Freeze the minimum fare at £3.80
Increase the minimum fare by 20 pence to £4.00
Increase the minimum fare by 40 pence to £4.20
Tariffs 1, 2 and 3
We are considering seven options for Tariffs 1, 2 and 3 and would like to hear your views on what we should do so. If you think we should, do you think we should base the increase on the full Cost Index figure of 7.48%, or the driver costs component of the Cost Index figure of 4.17% instead, or even that we should keep the fares as they are?.
Taxi drivers have to pay a fee in order to enter the taxi ‘feeder park’ at Heathrow Airport before they can proceed to one of the taxi ranks at the Heathrow terminals. Drivers are able to add on a ‘Heathrow Extra’ to the fare to help them cover this additional cost. Usually the ‘Heathrow Extra’ will cover around half of the full cost of accessing the taxi feeder park.
Heathrow Airport can decide to increase or decrease the fee it charges taxi drivers to access the feeder park.
The Airport have reduced the amount drivers pay from £3.60 – the cost in 2023 – to £3.00.
We are accordingly proposing to reduce the Heathrow Extra from £2.00 to £1.60 and would like to know what you think about this.
Heathrow Terminals Drop Off Charge (TDOC)
Since 2021, Heathrow Airport have charged drivers, including taxi drivers, a fee when they are dropping off passengers at one of the airport terminal forecourts. We have accordingly allowed drivers to add a charge to fares and pass on this cost to their customers.
The TDOC is currently £5.00, and Heathrow Airport have advised that they intend to increase this to £6.00 from January 2025. Taxi drivers can currently add up to £5.20 to their customers’ fare.
We would like to know your views on whether we should:
Increase the amount drivers can add to fares when dropping off at the airport from £5.20 to £6.00
Decrease the amount drivers can add to fares when dropping off at the airport to less than £5.20
Freeze the amount at £5.20
Remove the additional charge altogether
You can let us know what you think of these proposals by completing our survey.
The Taxicard scheme provides subsidised journeys, usually by black cab, for Londoners who are mobility or visually impaired. The scheme is managed by TfL and the London boroughs. Taxicard members pay a contribution towards the cost of their journey and the rest – up to a maximum fare – is subsidised. Members are allowed a fixed number of journeys on their Taxicard per year.
If you are a Taxicard member the proposals may affect you as taxi fares could increase. This may mean you are able to use your Taxicard for fewer journeys.
Increasing the minimum fare and/or tariffs could impact negatively on Taxicard members as this would increase fares. This could mean that Taxicard members would not be able to travel as far before the capped fare is reached
This could mean that the capped fare would need to be increased, or that Taxicard members would not be able to make as many subsidised journeys. It may also lead to less availability of taxis for Taxicard journeys
However, increasing fares could have positive aspects for Taxicard users if this ensures that more drivers continue to work and more people want to be taxi drivers, as it could increase the number of taxis available, including for Taxicard members
No change to taxi tariffs or minimum fare
Freezing the minimum fare and tariffs could be positive for Taxicard members, as it means fares would not increase and they would have the same number of Taxicard journeys available for them to use
However, this could also be negative for Taxicard members as taxi drivers may choose to do jobs other than Taxicard journeys, as they only receive 90 per cent of the Taxicard fare. This could result in fewer taxis being available for Taxicard members, with longer waits for an available taxi
Not increasing fares when taxi drivers’ operating costs and average national earnings have increased could result in taxi drivers choosing to leave the trade, and fewer people becoming taxi drivers, leading to a decrease overall in taxis being available, including for Taxicard members
We would like to hear your views about this, including from Taxicard members, please complete our survey.
You can translate the information on this page into another language by using the ‘Select language’ button at the bottom of the page
Connecting with London's deaf community on our consultations
To further enhance how we consult with London's deaf community we offer:
A British Sign Language (BSL) video of our proposals and survey
A BSL conversation service. This allows the TfL consultation lead to have a two-way BSL translated discussion with a BSL user. To request a BSL conversation please contact us at haveyoursay@tfl.gov.uk and we will be in contact to arrange a convenient time
You can reply by completing our survey, which should take no more than 10 minutes to complete or if you are short on time, you can submit a quick response.
The closing date for comments is Monday 2 December 2024.
This consultation has now closed. Thank you to everyone who responded. We are analysing your feedback and will report back shortly.
We will use the feedback from the consultation to develop our recommendations for any changes to taxi (black cab) fares for the TfL Finance Committee. The committee will consider our recommendations and make a decision at their meeting on 26 February 2025. Any changes will then be implemented in April 2025.
We would like to hear your views on our options for this year’s taxi (black cab) fares and tariffs review. We are also proposing changes to fares for journeys which begin or end at Heathrow Airport.
The consultation period has now closed. You can find updates on the scheme in the 'Latest news' section.
Why
We regularly review taxi (black cab) fares and normally make changes once a year, following a public consultation. Taxis are an important part of London’s transport services. They provide an accessible option for people who may find using public transport difficult and offer an alternative to the use of private cars, which can contribute to improving congestion and air quality. We want to ensure that taxi drivers are able to cover their operating costs and are paid fairly for their work. This helps ensure that being a taxi driver remains an attractive career option.
The number of licensed taxi drivers has been falling for several years. So it’s important to try and find a balance between taxi drivers being able to cover their costs and be paid fairly, and the public not using taxis as the fares are too expensive.
When we review fares and tariffs, we use the Cost Index which takes into account changes in taxi drivers’ operating costs and changes in average national earnings. You can read more about the Cost Index here.
This year taxi driver operating costs have increased by 4.17%, with average national earnings increasing by 3.31%.
We try to strike a balance between drivers being fairly paid and taxi customers being charged a fair and affordable fare.
Taxi fares are calculated using different tariffs. There are three tariffs covering shorter journeys (six miles or less). Tariff 1 covers journeys made during Monday to Friday day times, Tariff 2 covers journeys made during weekday evenings and the daytime on Saturday and Sunday, and Tariff 3 covers journeys made at night time and on public holidays.
Tariff 4 covers any part of a journey over six miles. In all the options, Tariff 4 would be amended to be the same as Tariff 2.
You can find the current tariff rates on our website.
There is a minimum fare charged, which is currently £3.80. We are considering changes to both the minimum fare and Tariffs 1, 2 and 3, and would like to hear your views.
Minimum fare
We would like to know if you think we should:
Freeze the minimum fare at £3.80
Increase the minimum fare by 20 pence to £4.00
Increase the minimum fare by 40 pence to £4.20
Tariffs 1, 2 and 3
We are considering seven options for Tariffs 1, 2 and 3 and would like to hear your views on what we should do so. If you think we should, do you think we should base the increase on the full Cost Index figure of 7.48%, or the driver costs component of the Cost Index figure of 4.17% instead, or even that we should keep the fares as they are?.
Taxi drivers have to pay a fee in order to enter the taxi ‘feeder park’ at Heathrow Airport before they can proceed to one of the taxi ranks at the Heathrow terminals. Drivers are able to add on a ‘Heathrow Extra’ to the fare to help them cover this additional cost. Usually the ‘Heathrow Extra’ will cover around half of the full cost of accessing the taxi feeder park.
Heathrow Airport can decide to increase or decrease the fee it charges taxi drivers to access the feeder park.
The Airport have reduced the amount drivers pay from £3.60 – the cost in 2023 – to £3.00.
We are accordingly proposing to reduce the Heathrow Extra from £2.00 to £1.60 and would like to know what you think about this.
Heathrow Terminals Drop Off Charge (TDOC)
Since 2021, Heathrow Airport have charged drivers, including taxi drivers, a fee when they are dropping off passengers at one of the airport terminal forecourts. We have accordingly allowed drivers to add a charge to fares and pass on this cost to their customers.
The TDOC is currently £5.00, and Heathrow Airport have advised that they intend to increase this to £6.00 from January 2025. Taxi drivers can currently add up to £5.20 to their customers’ fare.
We would like to know your views on whether we should:
Increase the amount drivers can add to fares when dropping off at the airport from £5.20 to £6.00
Decrease the amount drivers can add to fares when dropping off at the airport to less than £5.20
Freeze the amount at £5.20
Remove the additional charge altogether
You can let us know what you think of these proposals by completing our survey.
The Taxicard scheme provides subsidised journeys, usually by black cab, for Londoners who are mobility or visually impaired. The scheme is managed by TfL and the London boroughs. Taxicard members pay a contribution towards the cost of their journey and the rest – up to a maximum fare – is subsidised. Members are allowed a fixed number of journeys on their Taxicard per year.
If you are a Taxicard member the proposals may affect you as taxi fares could increase. This may mean you are able to use your Taxicard for fewer journeys.
Increasing the minimum fare and/or tariffs could impact negatively on Taxicard members as this would increase fares. This could mean that Taxicard members would not be able to travel as far before the capped fare is reached
This could mean that the capped fare would need to be increased, or that Taxicard members would not be able to make as many subsidised journeys. It may also lead to less availability of taxis for Taxicard journeys
However, increasing fares could have positive aspects for Taxicard users if this ensures that more drivers continue to work and more people want to be taxi drivers, as it could increase the number of taxis available, including for Taxicard members
No change to taxi tariffs or minimum fare
Freezing the minimum fare and tariffs could be positive for Taxicard members, as it means fares would not increase and they would have the same number of Taxicard journeys available for them to use
However, this could also be negative for Taxicard members as taxi drivers may choose to do jobs other than Taxicard journeys, as they only receive 90 per cent of the Taxicard fare. This could result in fewer taxis being available for Taxicard members, with longer waits for an available taxi
Not increasing fares when taxi drivers’ operating costs and average national earnings have increased could result in taxi drivers choosing to leave the trade, and fewer people becoming taxi drivers, leading to a decrease overall in taxis being available, including for Taxicard members
We would like to hear your views about this, including from Taxicard members, please complete our survey.
You can translate the information on this page into another language by using the ‘Select language’ button at the bottom of the page
Connecting with London's deaf community on our consultations
To further enhance how we consult with London's deaf community we offer:
A British Sign Language (BSL) video of our proposals and survey
A BSL conversation service. This allows the TfL consultation lead to have a two-way BSL translated discussion with a BSL user. To request a BSL conversation please contact us at haveyoursay@tfl.gov.uk and we will be in contact to arrange a convenient time
You can reply by completing our survey, which should take no more than 10 minutes to complete or if you are short on time, you can submit a quick response.
The closing date for comments is Monday 2 December 2024.
This consultation has now closed. Thank you to everyone who responded. We are analysing your feedback and will report back shortly.
We will use the feedback from the consultation to develop our recommendations for any changes to taxi (black cab) fares for the TfL Finance Committee. The committee will consider our recommendations and make a decision at their meeting on 26 February 2025. Any changes will then be implemented in April 2025.
We are holding a six-week consultation to hear what you think about these proposals. We want to know if you agree with them, if there is anything you do not agree with, and to understand the reasons why you feel this way.
You can reply by completing our survey, which should take no more than 10 minutes to complete. The closing date for comments is Monday 2 December2024.
To take part in our online survey you will need to register with your email address. Your details will be kept secure.
If you prefer, you can also let us have your comments by:
Telephone: 020 3054 6037 to leave your name and contact number and we will call you back. Please quote 'Taxi fares 2024' when leaving your message
Write to: FREEPOST TFL HAVE YOUR SAY (Taxi fares 2024) no postage stamp required
Please note responses to the survey may be made publicly available after the consultation has closed, this would typically be in the form of a report on the results of the consultation exercise, but any personal information will be kept confidential. Your personal information will be properly safeguarded and processed in accordance with the requirements of privacy and data protection legislation. For further information, please visit our privacy policy.
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We know that life is busy and you may just have one short moment to tell us what you think of our proposals. That's why we now let you submit a quick consultation response.
This is different from our consultation survey as we ask just one short question "Tell us what you think of our proposal".
Your response can be long or short, but importantly it lets us know your views.
You will need to register with our Have Your Say platform to give us your quick response, although your details will be kept secure.
You have until Monday 2 December 2024to give us your feedback.
Please note that responses will be made publicly available after the consultation has closed in the form of a report on the results. Your personal information will be properly safeguarded and processed in accordance with the requirements of privacy and data protection legislation. For further information, please visit our privacy policy.
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Review of taxi (black cab) fares and tariffs 2024 has finished this stage
This consultation is open for contributions.
Under Review
Review of taxi (black cab) fares and tariffs 2024 is currently at this stage
Contributions to this consultation are closed for evaluation and review. The project team will report back on key outcomes.
Final report
this is an upcoming stage for Review of taxi (black cab) fares and tariffs 2024
The final outcomes of the consultation are documented here. This may include a summary of all contributions collected as well as recommendations for future action.
We regularly review taxi (black cab) fares and normally make changes once a year, following a public consultation. Taxis are an important part of London’s transport services. They provide an accessible option for people who may find using public transport difficult and offer an alternative to the use of private cars, which can contribute to improving congestion and air quality. We want to ensure that taxi drivers are able to cover their operating costs and are paid fairly for their work. This helps ensure that being a taxi driver remains an attractive career option.
Taxi fares are calculated using different tariffs. There are three tariffs covering shorter journeys (six miles or less). Tariff 1 covers journeys made during Monday to Friday day times, Tariff 2 covers journeys made during weekday evenings and the daytime on Saturday and Sunday, and Tariff 3 covers journeys made at night time and on public holidays.
Taxi drivers have to pay a fee in order to enter the taxi ‘feeder park’ at Heathrow Airport before they can proceed to one of the taxi ranks at the Heathrow terminals. Drivers are able to add on a ‘Heathrow Extra’ to the fare to help them cover this additional cost. Usually the ‘Heathrow Extra’ will cover around half of the full cost of accessing the taxi feeder park.
The Taxicard scheme provides subsidised journeys, usually by black cab, for Londoners who are mobility or visually impaired. The scheme is managed by TfL and the London boroughs. Taxicard members pay a contribution towards the cost of their journey and the rest – up to a maximum fare – is subsidised. Members are allowed a fixed number of journeys on their Taxicard per year.
