Taxi fares in Glasgow are set to rise by almost 10% and night-time charges could be extended by two hours, with a decision expected this week.

No representations have been received after the city’s licensing committee proposed a 9.72% increase to the rates — and a change which will allow an extra £1.50 to be charged from 9pm rather than 11pm.

It has been put forward in the hope of boosting the supply of taxis in the evenings.

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Changes were recommended to Glasgow City Council in an independent report by Dr James Cooper, who assessed production costs — including fuel, vehicle and insurance fees — for drivers between September 2022 and February this year.

They were proposed by the committee in June and a public notice was issued. In a new report, officials stated representations could be received by Friday, July 19, but none were made.

The changes include:

An increase in the minimum charge flag fall from £4 to £4.40

A rise in the additional night-time charge from £1.40 to £1.50

A change in the night-time hours from 11pm to 6am to 9pm to 6am

An uplift in the soiling charge from £42 to £46

The proposals are now set to go back before councillors on the committee on Wednesday (August 14) for a final decision.  Once the fares have been set, any “person who operates a taxi in Glasgow can lodge an appeal with the traffic commissioner for the Scottish traffic area against the committee’s decision”.

“In the event that an appeal is lodged, the committee’s decision regarding the new taxi fare scales will be suspended until such time as the appeal is dismissed, determined or abandoned,” the report by officials added.

Additional Christmas and New Year charges — between 9pm on December 24 and 6am on December 27 and 9pm on December 31 and 6am on January 3 — could rise from £2.50 to £2.70.  Currently, these charges only apply on December 25 and 26 and January 1 and 2.

Consultation on the proposals was held with the trade and 325 responses were received.  At the meeting in June, Robert McLean, of Glasgow Taxis, said the public “rely heavily on taxis to get back out of the city” at night-time. He encouraged an increase of the night-time charge from £1.50 to £3 to improve the availability of taxis.

Last year, an increase of 19.36% was agreed following a previous review. It came into effect in April 2023. Under the latest plans, the flag fall distance and time are also expected to be changed from 886 yards to 889 yards and 166 seconds to 167 seconds.

Each additional increment could change from a distance not exceeding 196 yards to 179 yards and the time changed from 42 seconds to 38 seconds. However, the distance and time charge would remain at an increment of 30p.

Dr Cooper concluded there had been a 9.72% increase in “the cost of operating a taxi in Glasgow”. His research considered a range of factors including fuel costs, vehicle purchase and maintenance expenditure, insurance and licence fees and the costs of Low Emission Zone compliance.

A council report stated Glasgow Taxis believe the 10p increase in the night-shift flag fall would “not be effective”. The firm wants to see it rise to £3 at nights and £5 over Christmas and New Year holidays.

It also suggested the night-time charges should stop at 5am rather than 6am as to “not penalise” workers who start early.

Glasgow Taxis Owners Federation suggested the night charge should be changed to £2, and wants extra charges per person after two passengers.