Minimum taxi fares across the district are officially going up next month (October).

The news has left some drivers fearing the rise in fares could leave them more vulnerable to the popularity of Uber.

Warwick District Council has announced it is set to add 10 per cent to the initial charges that Hackney carriages – taxis that can be hailed without notice as opposed to private hire vehicles which must be booked – can ask for at the start of journeys.

It covers the first 700 yards and will go up from £4.40 to £4.85 in daytime hours, from £6.65 to £7.30 between 10pm and 6pm with that evening rate increasing from £8.85 to £9.75 for taxis carrying five or more passengers.

The rates for each 100 yards travelled after that and the waiting times remain unchanged from the rates set in 2024.

The district's taxi drivers were consulted with more than half responding and nearly three quarters of those respondents advocating an increase, primarily due to soaring fuel costs.

The council's report says that inflation has gone up six per cent since the last fare increase, although that was particularly controversial as it went up by 30 per cent having not been addressed for 10 years.

The effect of that and private hire vehicles like Ubers not being subjected to the same stringent rules as Hackney carriages was cited by taxi drivers worried about further loss of trade.

"There's already less work available," read one driver response published by the council.

"Higher fares will likely push even more customers towards Uber and similar services, making the situation worse for local drivers.

"If the council genuinely wants to support the taxi trade, they should be focusing on creating a level playing field such as reviewing how app-based services operate in our area rather than increasing fares that could drive passengers away."

Another read: "The most important thing is no matter how much we change the fare, we keep losing our potential customers to Uber.

"There are nights where we make nothing, waiting at the taxi ranks for 10-12 hours. All our taxi ranks are busy with Uber drivers. The council should focus on how to get our taxi business back."

Another estimated a 70 per cent loss of trade to Uber, while one said that "customers are already not happy with the current rates" with "hardly anyone" heading out of town in taxis any more.

However, drivers also referenced "significantly" increased operating costs.

"Without a meaningful fare increase it is becoming difficult to maintain a sustainable income," one wrote.

"Additionally, fuel costs continue rising every day. The diesel prices have increased by around 40 per cent since January 2026."

Observations around Uber were not picked up in the discussion at Wednesday's cabinet meeting but the matter of costs was.

Leader of the opposition Cllr Alan Boad said: "I filled my car up with diesel today and paid £100, which came as a bit of a shock.

"We need to do whatever we can to help support our taxi drivers. I notice it is going up 10 per cent and wonder whether that is enough."

Portfolio holder for safer, healthier and active communities Cllr Jim Sinnott replied: "It is a really relevant point. We have to show support, they provide an important service and we need to back them.

"We did talk about five per cent and they can pitch it lower if they want to. I think it is a healthy (increase) and it has been done through consultation so I am happy to recommend (10 per cent)."

The new rates were voted through by the cabinet – the panel of Green Party and Labour councillors in charge of major service areas – and will kick in at some point in October provided no objections are filed with the council. If they are, the cabinet will have to consider them and revisit the decision.