Stirling Council's Planning and Regulation Panel has proposed an increase of about 11.7% in the taxi fare scale. A notice published on 30 October 2026, under section 17(4) of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982, invites representations before Monday 30 November 2026. If the scale is approved, it is proposed to take effect on Wednesday 23 December 2026.
The proposed scale
The notice applies to taxis licensed by Stirling Council. The proposed fares reflect an uplift of approximately 11.7%, from higher standard charges on tariffs 1, 2 and 3 and shorter distance increments, together with new festive tariffs 4 and 5.
Tariff 1 applies to hires starting between 07:00 and 23:00, excluding bank and noted holiday dates. The first half-mile is £3.90, and each further 74.8 yards, or uncompleted part, is 10p.
Tariff 2 applies to hires starting between 23:00 and 07:00, on Good Friday, Easter Monday, the 1st May Day holiday and the 1st Monday September holiday, and all day on a Sunday. The first half-mile is £4.60, and each further 59.8 yards, or uncompleted part, is 10p.
Tariff 3 applies at all times when five or more passengers are carried. The first half-mile is £6.20, and each further 46.7 yards, or uncompleted part, is 10p.
Tariff 4 covers hires starting between 18:00 on 24 December and 06:00 on 26 December, or between 18:00 on 31 December and 06:00 on 2 January. The first half-mile is £6.20, and each further 46.7 yards, or uncompleted part, is 10p.
Tariff 5 covers the same festive hours when five or more passengers are carried. The first half-mile is £10, and each further 29.2 yards, or uncompleted part, is 10p.
The first three minutes of waiting time are free, and each further minute, or uncompleted part, is 30p. Each person above one, up to a maximum of four, is 20p. A booking of a taxi or private hire car by phone or in advance is subject to a maximum of 50p. The soiling charge is £60.
The flag drops of £3.90, £4.60 and £6.20 are the figures the council consulted on, up from £3.50, £4.10 and £5.60. Representations go to the council at Old Viewforth, Stirling, FK8 2ET, or by email to civiclicensing@stirling.gov.uk, before 30 November.
What the meeting heard
The special meeting of the Planning and Regulation Panel was called for 3pm on Monday 26 October 2026, with the taxi fare review as the item of business. Stirling News reported that the meeting agreed the increases, and that 323 responses had come in, 216 from members of the public and 107 from the trade. Public responses generally disagreed, while some accepted higher costs in the trade and the need to keep services viable. Several took 11.7% to be high against inflation and the cost of living. Equality and access ran through the responses, in particular for older residents, disabled people, low-income households, people in rural areas, and people without a car. The public view of the festive tariffs was mixed. Trade responses generally supported the proposals, often alongside suggestions for further changes.
Councillor Rachel Nunn called the rise "a fair old chunk which is well above inflation and the kind of pay increases people have to take taxis may well be getting." Councillor Alasdair MacPherson spoke of "a real balance to be struck", with 11% "a lot" and the industry "on its knees". He described the lifting of the cap as having "destroyed the industry locally", with "too many drivers" the bottom line, listed national insurance, the living wage, fuel, tyres and servicing, and was reluctantly prepared to agree, citing drivers "working 80 or 90 hours a week and hardly making a living." Councillor Gerry McLaughlan put the increase at 11.2% rather than 11.7% if drivers' salaries are taken out of the comparison, and called 11.7% reasonable. The 11.2%, the weekly hours, and the effect of lifting the cap are the councillors' accounts. They are not in the notice.