Licensed taxi drivers in Argyll and Bute can charge new maximum fares from 22 October 2026. Argyll and Bute Council published the scale after a review under sections 17 and 18 of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982. A report to the Planning, Protective Services and Licensing Committee on 19 August 2026 set out the same charges as a 5% increase proposed on 17 June 2026, and noted one representation received on 29 June 2026. Taxi fare scale review The previous scale ran from 22 April 2025 until 21 October 2026.
Day, night and festive rates
Tariff 1 applies to hirings from a rank or by flag between 7am and 10pm. The initial charge for the first 860 yards, or part of that distance, is £3.99, up from £3.80. Each further 176 yards, or part, is 26p, up from 25p.
Tariff 2 applies between 10pm and 7am. The initial charge is £4.78, up from £4.55, and each further 150 yards is 26p, up from 25p. Tariff 2 also applies between 6pm and 10pm on 24 December, between 6pm and 10pm on 31 December, and from 7am on 2 January until 7am on 3 January.
Tariff 3 applies from 10pm on 24 December until 7am on 27 December, and from 10pm on 31 December until 7am on 2 January. The initial charge is £5.58, up from £5.31. Each further 120 yards is 26p, up from 25p.
Waiting time is 47p a minute from the commencement of the journey, charged pro rata by the second, up from 45p. A booking by telephone adds 42p, up from 40p. The soiling charge remains a maximum of £100, and a sign may warn of a further charge for loss of earnings.
Five or more passengers
For a large minibus-type vehicle carrying five or more passengers together at their own request, Tariff 2 applies where Tariff 1 otherwise would, and Tariff 3 where Tariff 2 otherwise would. Where Tariff 3 already applies, the surcharge is £1.37, up from £1.30.
The charges are maximums. Where a journey starts in Argyll and Bute and finishes outside the area, the fare may be agreed before the hiring is accepted. The hirer pays the return ferry fare on any journey that uses a ferry.