Somerset Council is proposing a 10% rise in maximum hackney distance and waiting charges, plus an optional booking fee of up to £10 for pre-booked rural pick-ups.
Council/BBC coverage says current maxima date from May 2024; a licence-holder survey found 59% supported some increase amid fuel, insurance and maintenance costs. Standard first mile would go from £4.60 to £5.06 and each tenth of a mile from 30p to 33p; waiting from £1 to £1.10 per two minutes. Evening/weekend multipliers stay; drivers may still charge less. Objections go to the Executive; without them the table can take effect after the statutory process.