Taxi Fares Set To Increase Across NI

Taxi fares across Northern Ireland are likely to rise following a decision by the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) to increase maximum fares by 9.5% during the day and 19.5% at all other times.

The DfI said that the increase has been approved "in the context of challenges about the availability of taxis, particularly in the evenings and at weekends", which has led to concerns around public safety.

The two-tiered increase to the fare structure is designed to balance the needs of taxi 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 that it recognises the impact of the current financial climate on the public and these measures are being introduced to assist the taxi industry and support the wider economy, while trying to ensure an affordable means of public transport.

The Department needs to make regulations to allow the increases to be applied. The regulations require a 21 day period before being implemented and they will come into force on 5 December 2023.

It is understood that taxi firms can choose what level of fare increase to apply, up to the maximum.

The new, highest taxi rates, are:

• Rate 1: (Monday to Friday, 06:00-20:00) Initial charge of £3.20, approximate charge for first mile £4.20 and £1.86 charged for all additional miles

• Rate 2: (Monday to Thursday, 20:00-06:00) Initial charge of £4.00, approximate charge for first mile £5.10 and £2.03 charged for all additional miles

• Rate 3: (Friday 20:00 – Monday 06:00 and specified days) Initial charge of £5.00, approximate charge for first mile £6.10 and £2.03 charged for all additional miles

• Christmas and New Year Rates: (From 14:00 Christmas Eve – 06:00 27 December and from 20:00 31 December – 24:00 1 January) Initial Charge £5.80 and approximately £7.70 for first mile) and £3.60 for every additional mile.