LTDA Senior Rep discusses ‘slightly more modest’ London taxi tariff increase being debated for 2025
Transport for London (TfL) has concluded its latest consultation on taxi fares, sparking discussions across the capital. The consultation explored potential changes to minimum fares, tariffs, and Heathrow Airport charges, with final decisions expected in early 2025.
Speaking in TAXI newspaper, Sam Houston, a senior representative at the Licensed Taxi Drivers’ Association (LTDA), noted the varied opinions and that last year’s increase was ‘overdue and substantial’. The latest proposed meter adjustments was described as ‘slightly more modest’ and, if agreed, would take effect in April 2025.
One significant proposal involves reducing the additional Heathrow charge from £2.00 to £1.60, following the airport’s recent taxi feeder park fee reduction from £3.60 to £3.00. However, the Terminal Drop Off Charge (TDOC) at Heathrow is set to rise from £5.00 to £6.00 on 1 January 2025. TfL has proposed increasing the passenger drop-off charge to match this, though other options are under consideration.
Minimum fares are another focus. TfL is weighing three possibilities: keeping the current £3.80 rate or increasing it to £4.00 or £4.20. Adjustments to tariffs 1, 2, and 3 are also on the table, with potential increases of up to 7.48% to reflect rising costs.
The consultation, which closed in December 2024, gave stakeholders an opportunity to shape the future of taxi fares. TfL’s recommendations are expected sometime in January or February.
Houston said: “The Tariff Consultation has now closed and as usual speaking to five cab drivers on this will garner six different opinions on what should happen.
“There seems to be a consensus that last year’s increase was both overdue and substantial; the proposed adjustment for 2024 is slightly more modest, and if agreed on schedule would be applied sometime in April 2025.
“One of the changes that affects Heathrow is the proposal to reduce the extra from £2.00 to £1.60. There’s also a proposed change for the drop-off extra to increase to £6.00 in line with Heathrow’s increase.
“More should be known by January/February about the likely recommendation. We will keep you updated.”
