Swindon taxi fares set to increase from October to help cabbies meet rising costs

Taxi fares in Swindon will increase from 1 October following a decision by Swindon Borough Council’s cabinet to approve a new tariff structure for hackney carriage journeys.

The change will see the cost of the minimum fare for the first quarter-mile on the standard day rate rise by £1, moving from £4.50 to £5.50.

For night-time travel, the fare will increase by 60p, bringing the minimum cost from £5.90 to £6.50. Fares for Christmas and New Year's Eve will see a more significant rise, increasing by £1, from £6.50 to £7.50.

This adjustment means a typical two-mile journey during the day will cost £8.70, an increase from the previous £7.70. While this makes Swindon’s fares higher than those in Oxford, West Berkshire, or Cheltenham, they remain lower than fares in the Vale of the White Horse, Reading, and London.

The new tariff sets the maximum rate drivers can charge, although they are free to offer lower fares at their discretion.