What could a Unified Taxi Tariff look like for Cornwall? How could the 6 very diverse Tariffs be merged fairly?
The Case for a Balanced Unified Hackney Carriage Tariff
- The Challenge of Fairness in Tariff Unification
Tariff unification across a region as geographically and economically diverse as Cornwall is inherently complex. The six historical zones—Restormel, Carrick, North Cornwall, Caradon, Kerrier, and Penwith—have developed distinct tariff structures over time, reflecting local demographics, demand, and service costs.
Simply selecting the highest existing tariff as the new standard would unfairly penalize passengers in lower-cost areas, potentially reducing taxi usage and placing undue financial burden on communities. Conversely, selecting the lowest tariff could undermine operator sustainability in more expensive areas.
Why a Mean-Average Tariff is the Fairest Approach
The proposed fare structure is derived from a balanced mean average of existing tariffs across all six zones. This method avoids skewing the outcome in favour of either extreme, and instead establishes a county-wide baseline that:
- Reflects the midpoint of actual service costs and pricing expectations.
- Minimizes the disruption to both passengers and drivers.
- Supports equity by preventing regional price shocks.
By using data from each zone, this model smooths out historical disparities and ensures that no single region disproportionately benefits or suffers.
Justifying the Specific Fare Levels
The fare levels proposed have been carefully calibrated:
- Base fares and per-mile rates have been averaged from existing structures, with slight rounding to support meter implementation and customer clarity.
- Time-based tariffs reflect common premium periods without disproportionately inflating night or holiday travel.
- 5+ passenger rates address the higher operational costs of larger vehicles, applied consistently and clearly.
The result is a table that sits near the statistical centre of all current zone tariffs—providing a realistic and fair price for passengers, while ensuring operational viability across the county.
- Conclusion
The proposed unified Hackney Carriage tariff table is the fairest and most balanced method of standardizing taxi fares across Cornwall. It avoids overcompensating high-cost zones at the expense of low-cost ones, and does not impose arbitrary or politically motivated rates. Instead, it is rooted in data, equity, and long-term sustainability.
This approach supports Cornwall Council’s strategic goal of unified service delivery while ensuring that both passengers and providers are treated justly.
Proposed Table of Fares Solution
Table of Fares