Setting Fares for Midlothian Taxis

Overview

Section 17 of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 (the Act), states that the fares (tariffs) for the hire of taxis in any area and all other charges in connection with the hire of a taxi or with the arrangements for its hire, shall be not greater than those fixed by the Council for that area.

Local Authorities are required to review and fix scales for the fares and other charges every 18 months.

The last review of taxi fares was concluded in January 2026 and so it is time to begin this process once more.

Initial consultation with representatives of Midlothian Taxi Owners Association (MTOA) did not produce a clear view on changes to the tariffs but previous consultations have identified financial pressures from -

• Service, Fuel, Public Electric Vehicle Charging and Insurance costs
• Midlothian Taxi Licence fees (both Vehicle and Personal)
• Fees from Taxi businesses (Radio rental/charges)

In 2025 the MTOA advocated for a wider review of tariff setting and that the Midlothian fees should mirror those in the City of Edinburgh. Comparisons and adjustments were made accordingly.

For this review, proposals for a revised table of fares for all taxis and private hire cars fitted with meters were presented to General Purposes Committee on the 29^th September 2026. At that meeting it was agreed that the proposed fares would be put out to full public consultation. We are therefore seeking your views and comment on the proposed fares.

Both the existing and proposed scale of fares are attached. These vary depending on time of day, distanced travelled and waiting time. There are also particular tariffs for the Christmas and New Year period and additional fees for a range of items, including for example the fee for cleaning the vehicle.

The general effect of the proposed fares is as follows:

• The initial charge for Tariff 1 to be increased by £0.10 to £3.60
• The initial charge for Tariff 2 to be increased by £0.15 to £4.65
• The initial charge for Tariff 3 to be increased by £0.15 to £5.15
• The additional distance/waiting time charges remain unchanged.

There are no proposed changes to the extra payments table of charges. However, increased have been made to Extra Payments as follows:

When more than 2 passengers - £0.30 each (+10p)

Cleaning Fee – Travel Sickness - £60.00 (+£10)

Pre-bookings – Call Out Charge   - £0.70 (+10p)

Pre-bookings – Cancellation Fee - £2.50 (+50p)

Any person who operates a taxi in an area for which scales have been fixed or in respect of which a review has been carried out under section 17 of this Act may, within 14 days after the decision upon the scales or, as the case may be,
upon the review, appeal against these scales to the Traffic Commissioner.

The Traffic Commissioner is based in Waterloo Place, Edinburgh.

Address: Level 6, The Stamp Office, 10 Waterloo Place, Edinburgh, EH1 3EG

Website: Traffic Commissioner Scotland | Keep Me On The Road

Email: enquiries@otc.gov.uk

Phone: 0300 123 9000

Opening hours: Office hours: 9.30am to 4.00pm, Monday to Friday

Why your views matter

Consultation with both the taxi trade and with the public is essential element in conducting a full review of taxi fares. It is also a legal requirement.

We want to hear from taxi drivers, users and non-users of taxis in Midlothian to understand your views about taxi fares.

What happens next

At the conclusion of the public consultaiton a total of 39 representations were registered. Responses varied, however in summary consisted of two opposing views. One from taxi drivers who said that the increases are long overdue, but also another view from taxi users saying that fares are already too high. 

A report was presented to the General Purposes Committee on 23^rd September 2025. The Committee considered all representations and approved the new scale of tariffs.

It is proposed these tariffs come into effect on the 11th November 2025.

Any person who operates a taxi in an area for which scales have been fixed or in respect of which a review has been carried out under section 17 of this Act may, within 14 days after the decision upon the scales or, as the case may be,
upon the review, appeal against these scales to the Traffic Commissioner.

The Traffic Commissioner is based in Waterloo Place, Edinburgh.

Address: Level 6, The Stamp Office, 10 Waterloo Place, Edinburgh, EH1 3EG

Website: Traffic Commissioner Scotland | Keep Me On The Road

Email: enquiries@otc.gov.uk

Phone: 0300 123 9000

Opening hours: Office hours: 9.30am to 4.00pm, Monday to Friday

Telephone hours: 8.30am to 5.00pm, Monday to Friday