Taxi Fares
Request ID: FOI-1880-1718
Date published: 10 November 2017
You asked
please can you send me details of the index used to calculate black cab fares?
I previously found it online but can longer find it?
Basically, I would like to work out the percentage change in fares based on various cab prices to see whether that is a big factor is the final fare calculation.
If possible, could you explain the weights of the index etc or provide a calculation so that I could put in various amounts for the price of the cab in such a way that it would produce a fare tariff chart.
Alternatively, if it is not that simple, please can you provide a list of fares based on the price of the only currently available cab for 2018 - the ZEC TX5 (or for simplicity, based on the price of a £60,000 vehicle, which I think is the approximate price of the TX5) vs a tariff chart based on vehicles priced at say, £40,000 and £30,000).
I appreciate there will be variables based on running electric/petroleum costs but if those can be kept constant, it is just the price of the cab affecting the fares that I am most interesting in looking at.
We answered
Our Ref: FOI-1880-1718
Thank you for your request received on 14 October 2017 asking for information about taxi fares.
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy. I can confirm we do hold the information you require.
Transport for London (TfL) uses a Cost Index model when reviewing taxi fares and tariffs. The Cost Index tracks changes to a number of different elements associated with operating a taxi in London, one of which is vehicle costs.
You can find a copy of the 2017 taxi fares and tariffs consultation on our website which includes the figures used in the Cost Index at the time of the consultation:
https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/tph/taxi-fare-and-tariff-review-2017/
A further breakdown of costs by taxi vehicle model is also available on our website:
https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/tph/taxi-fare-and-tariff-review-2017/user_uploads/cost-index-and-tariff-information.pdf
In accordance with section 21 of the FOI Act, TfL is not obliged to supply you with a copy of the requested information as it is already accessible to you elsewhere.
We use a Cost Index model to track changes to elements associated with operating a taxi in London and this produces a figure which average taxi fares could be updated by. However, the output of the Cost Index model is not the only factor we take into consideration when reviewing taxi fares. As part of any review we will normally conduct a public consultation on proposals, seek the views of the taxi trade associations and taxi users as well as considering the results from any taxi fares related research. This means that average taxi fares may not change by the figure produced by the Cost Index. This was the case last year when only tariffs one and two were increased but no change was made to tariff three or the tariff rate for journeys over six miles.
At present the costs for the new Zero Emissions Capable (ZEC) taxis are not included in TfL’s Cost Index as these are not currently operating in London. We are currently undertaking work to examine how these costs could be incorporated into the Cost Index in future years and what factors would need to be included.
We do not hold information about fares for vehicles at a range of hypothetical costs; however, example fares as a result of the most recent taxi fares update are included in the 2017 consultation. Please note that these fares are based on distance only.
If this is not the information you are looking for, or if you are unable to access it for some reason, please feel free to contact me.
Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal.
Yours sincerely
Gemma Jacob
FOI Case Officer
FOI Case Management Team
General Counsel
Transport for London
[email protected]
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