Council Rejects 53 Taxi Applications in 2024, Raises Licensing Fees

Between October 1, 2023, and September 30, 2024, Buckinghamshire council rejected 53 taxi driver applications, marking a 165% increase compared to the 20 rejections from the previous year. This sharp rise was highlighted during a meeting of the council’s licensing committee on January 9, 2025, with Councillor Nick Southworth expressing concerns over the unusually high number of refusals.

Investigating the Cause of the Increase

The council’s principal licensing officer, Simon Gallacher, stated that they did not have a definitive explanation for the increase in rejections. He suggested that the rise in rejections might be linked to a recent uptick in complaints from the public. The council has also implemented improvements to reporting procedures, which could be contributing to the surge in complaints.

Enforcement Efforts by the Council

Lindsay Vallis, the service director for integrated transport, emphasized the council’s significant focus on investigative and enforcement activity to improve the quality of taxi services in the area. These efforts are part of a broader strategy to enhance the taxi sector’s standards.

Increase in Taxi Fees

In addition to the increased number of rejections, the council voted to increase taxi fees. Starting in the next fiscal year, the cost of a three-year taxi licence will rise from £368 to £387, while a five-year licence for an operator with one vehicle will increase from £593 to £623. These changes were part of the council’s draft budget, which was approved last week.