Why it matters: The fare increase affects all taxi journeys in Ipswich and represents the first rise since 2024, following a request from the Ipswich Station Taxi Tenants Association to help drivers cope with rising operational costs.
The details: Executive councillors backed the proposals on Tuesday, 30 September, with five votes for and one against. The new Table of Fares will now be advertised for public consultation before implementation on 5th November, subject to no objections being received.
The increase applies across all three tariff rates:
Daytime journeys: A two-mile trip rises from £7.80 to £8.00
Night-time journeys: A two-mile trip increases from £9.80 to £10.00
Christmas and New Year rates: A two-mile trip goes up from £11.60 to £11.80
The complex fare structure means initial and subsequent distance charges have been adjusted alongside waiting times to achieve the overall 2.55% increase per mile.
The big picture: The Ipswich Station Taxi Tenants Association, representing 70 licensed taxi drivers, consulted 118 drivers about the proposed increase. Of those who responded, 57% supported the fare rise, with 58 drivers in favour and 44 against.
Council officers worked with trade representatives under a long-standing agreement that fare increases should align with the Consumer Price Index for the preceding 12 months, which stood at 2.55% up to May 2025.
What they're saying: Councillor Ian Fisher, leader of the Conservative Group, said that although the proposals did not represent a big increase, efforts should be made to keep Ipswich taxis affordable when compared to other authorities.
Council leader Councillor Neil MacDonald said he expected the authority to fall down the ranks as other councils considered their own increases.
The council reported that taxi and private hire trades "are an important and essential component of the local public transport system and are the only parts that are operational 24 hours a day seven days a week."
For context: Ipswich currently ranks 86th most expensive nationally for hackney carriage fares out of 344 authorities. The approved increase would move the town to joint 67th position.
Of Ipswich's 150 licensed hackney carriages, 35 vehicles (23%) are wheelchair accessible.
What's next: Any member of the public or drivers can object during the statutory consultation period. If no objections are received or all are withdrawn, the fares take effect on 5 November. Should objections arise, Portfolio Holder Councillor John Cook will review them with officers to determine whether modifications are needed.
The bottom line: After a year of mounting operational costs for taxi drivers, Ipswich councillors have backed the trade's request for fare increases that keep the town competitively priced while ensuring sustainable transport services for residents.
