Keeping the Taxi Zones vs. De-Zoning: Who Wins & Who Loses

Cornwall’s taxi system is at a critical crossroads. A proposal to remove the six existing taxi zones will drastically reshape how taxis operate across the county. While de-zoning may sound like a simple administrative change, the reality is far more serious — rural communities risk losing vital transport links, vulnerable residents will be left stranded, and taxpayers will face higher costs as the council is then forced to step in with taxpayer subsidies to fill the gap.

This briefing explains exactly what’s at stake, why it matters, and how de-zoning would affect every corner of Cornwall.

Does De-Zoning Actually Benefit the Public?
Factor Keeping the Taxi Zones
(What We Have Now) 		De-Zoning
(What Officers Want)
Rural Coverage
✓ Guaranteed minimum level of service in every area. Taxis must remain locally licensed.
✗ No guarantee — drivers flock to urban centres, leaving rural areas abandoned.
Cost to Taxpayers
✓ Zero extra cost — entirely funded by taxi licensing fees.
✗ High future cost — council forced to subsidise rural transport when service collapses.
Council Revenue
✓ Extra income from dual-licensing (currently £10,000+/year, with potential to grow).
✗ Revenue lost — dual-licensing disappears completely.
Cross-Border Issues
✓ Already solved through optional dual-licensing.
✗ No meaningful improvement — just removes oversight & revenue.
Pricing Fairness
✓ Local tariffs reflect local economies and trip patterns.
✗ One-size-fits-all tariff harms either rural or urban areas — no balance possible.
Service Control
✓ Councillors have strong local control through licensing boundaries.
✗ No control — service driven entirely by profit, not public need.
Public Safety
✓ Rural residents protected by regulated, accountable local operators.
✗ Increased drink-driving, illegal taxis, and unsafe lifts as rural service disappears.
Vulnerable Residents
✓ Elderly, disabled, isolated residents have access to safe transport.
✗ Vulnerable residents stranded, unable to reach GPs, hospitals, shops, or social events.
Administrative Burden
✓ Paid for by licensing fees — no burden on taxpayers.
✗ Minimal officer savings, no public benefit, costs remain the same.
Long-Term Stability
✓ Sustainable, balanced system proven to work for decades.
✗ Collapse of rural network — once gone, it never returns.
Summary
De-zoning delivers no benefit to the people of Cornwall, especially the 65% living in rural areas. It creates service collapse, loss of council revenue, higher taxpayer costs, and leaves vulnerable residents cut off.
The only group that benefits is the internal licensing department, who gain a slightly simpler admin process and can tick a box — at a devastating cost to everyone else.

TL;DR – Key Points at a Glance

  • Cornwall has six hackney taxi zones, each with its own fares and local licensing controls.

  • De-zoning would merge all six zones into one, removing local oversight and accountability.

  • When zones are removed, drivers cluster in urban areas, leaving rural communities without reliable taxi service.

  • Rural residents and vulnerable groups risk being stranded without affordable transport options.

  • Taxpayers could face higher costs as the council steps in to subsidise failing rural transport.

  • Any change to taxi zones must go through a formal council decision and public consultation.

Below are common questions about Cornwall’s taxi zones and the implications of de-zoning, with direct answers you can quote.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How many taxi zones does Cornwall have?
Cornwall currently has six Hackney Carriage (taxi) licensing zones, each with separate tariffs and local licensing controls set by the council. These zones are based on the former borough council areas, and were created to reflect Cornwall’s diverse communities and travel needs. Why we need taxi zones

2. What is taxi de-zoning?
Taxi de-zoning is the process of merging Cornwall’s six separate licensing zones into one single, county-wide zone.
This would remove local controls over fares, licensing, and service standards, meaning drivers could operate anywhere in Cornwall without local accountability. A Deeply Flawed Concept

3. Why does zoning matter for rural areas?
Zoning helps ensure minimum service levels for rural communities by keeping drivers licensed and committed to their local areas.
Without it, drivers tend to concentrate in urban centres where fares are higher, leaving rural residents without reliable, safe transport. De-Zoning for Disaster

4. What are the risks of de-zoning Cornwall’s taxis?
De-zoning could lead to:

  • Rural service collapse, as drivers focus on busy urban areas.

  • Higher taxpayer costs, when the council must subsidise transport in abandoned rural areas.

  • Loss of local tariffs, harming either rural or urban customers.

  • Reduced safety and oversight, as local accountability disappears.

  • Increase in crime, such as drink driving, illegal taxi operations and higher public safety risk.

5. Will de-zoning reduce costs for the council?
No. While de-zoning might make internal administration slightly simpler, the overall costs to the council are likely to increase.
If rural services break down, the council will have to step in with taxpayer-funded transport solutions to fill the gap.

6. Is Cornwall Council already de-zoning the taxi system?
Not yet. Any change to the six taxi zones must go through a formal council decision and public consultation.
However, there are active proposals to unify the zones, which is why it’s important for councillors and the public to understand the full consequences.

7. How do taxi tariffs work under the current system?
Each of the six zones sets its own taxi fare structure, known as a tariff.
These reflect the local economy and typical journey patterns in that area, ensuring pricing is fair for both drivers and passengers.

8. How would de-zoning affect taxi fares?
With de-zoning, there would be one county-wide tariff.
This “one-size-fits-all” approach risks making rural journeys too expensive for passengers, seeing a 40% increase in fares across the board and creating imbalance across the whole county. Cornwall Taxi Tariffs by Zone

9. Who benefits from de-zoning?
The only direct beneficiaries are internal licensing administration teams, who would have slightly less paperwork.
Everyone else — rural residents, vulnerable passengers, drivers, and taxpayers — stands to lose from a less reliable, less accountable and much more expensive system.

10. How can I share my views on de-zoning?
You can share your opinion by contacting your local councillor or participating in any public consultations.
It’s important to raise concerns early so councillors understand the real-world impact before they vote on any proposal. National Guidance is not fit for Cornwall

Why This Matters for Cornwall

Cornwall is predominantly rural, with many communities relying on taxis as a lifeline for essential travel such as medical appointments, shopping, and social connections.

Without zoning, drivers naturally gravitate towards urban centres where fares are more profitable, leaving rural areas without reliable service.
This creates serious issues for vulnerable residents and increases demand on council-funded transport schemes.

It would also mean the loss of separate local tariffs that currently reflect local economic conditions and travel patterns.

Timeline of Cornwall’s Taxi Zones

  • Historic setup: Six zones established across Cornwall in 1997, based on former borough areas, each with separate licensing and tariffs.

  • January 17, 2023: Cornwall Council removes historic limits on taxi numbers in some zones, with very negative consequences.

  • 2024: Council begins trying to unify tariffs across zones while continuing to maintain six licensing areas.

  • Present: Proposal to amalgamate all zones (de-zoning) under discussion, requiring formal decision and consultation

 

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