GOT A TAXI ISSUE , TALK ABOUT IT HERE!
As Cornwall Council officers opt to ignore the consultation results and the recommendations of the Scrutiny Committee in their continued pursuit of taxi de-zoning, they have now published a draft Unified Taxi Tariff for Cornwall that would see a massive 28% hike in fares in the current Restormel zone alone.
That’s a sure-fire way to scare people away from local taxis and right into the arms of Uber!
So much for supporting Cornwall’s local businesses, eh?
Finally, after 3 years of hard graft, we have the booking fee addition to the table of fares ‘for advance bookings only’, which now hopefully regularises the legal position for those undertaking advanced booking work and charging inline with private hire prices, with the Local Government Miscellaneous Provisions Act 1976.
Here is the new 2026 A5 Tariff Card for those like me who don’t have the paper size the council create it on: 2026 Tariff Card – Restormel
Just received from Cornwall Airport:
There are now 12 month and 6 month taxi permit options available this year. The price for a full year will be £175 and £100 respectively (plus VAT). They will run 1 April to 31 March each year.
However, this year’s permit 2026-27 will only be 10 months running until 31/3/2027, therefore the permit for this year is priced pro-rata at £145 (£174 with VAT).
The number of permits available are restricted, and on a first come first served basis because of the limited space in the bus lane so act fast if you want to sign up.
There is also a 6 month option being tried as feedback suggested this could be popular.
You can apply for a taxi permit by contacting this email address: parking@cornwallairportnewquay.com
You already know the risks around de-zoning in Cornwall. You’ve seen it, you’ve engaged with it, and many of you have objected.
Despite the Scrutiny Committee’s recommendation, is this the next step anyway?
You need to read this – you have just 11 days to respond!
Earlier today – Thursday 5th March 2026 – the Cornwall Council, Community Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Committee considered the report on Cornwall Council’s Taxi Zone Consultation.
After discussion, the Committee voted unanimously to recommend Option A – retaining the existing six taxi zones – to Cabinet.
Members noted that the consultation received 413 responses, with 72.6% supporting retention of the current zoning structure rather than amalgamating the county into a single taxi area. Although officers noted that the consultation did not constitute a referendum, councillors stated that a result of that scale was nevertheless difficult to ignore.
During the discussion, councillors were particularly conscious of the potential impact on rural communities, including the availability of taxi services for elderly and more isolated residents. They also voiced concern over taxis swarming to ‘honeypot’ areas at different times of the year, whilst abandoning their own areas. Several members also highlighted that the decision would be irreversible, with no lawful mechanism to reinstate taxi zones once removed.
A number of councillors expressed caution about making such a permanent structural change where there is no clear evidence that the current system is failing, and no case had been presented to demonstrate that it is, with the view expressed that “if it isn’t broken, don’t fix it.”
The matter will now proceed to Cabinet, which will make the final decision.
Further updates will follow as the process continues.