Taxi meters and charges

Contents

  1. Meters
  2. Charges
  3. Regulation
  4. Taxi meter agents

Meters

  • Hackney Carriage (black cab): A meter is required by law.
  • Private hire vehicle: A meter is not required.

Charges

All vehicles must display a scale of charges.

In South Tyneside, the majority of vehicles work off the Council's scale of charges set for hackney carriages.

A private hire operator can set his/her own scale of charges.

Many operators allow vehicles capable of carrying 5 or more passengers to charge a higher tariff.

You should check with the operator if you have any questions on their scale of charges.

Tariffs

Tariff 1

For hirings between 7am and 10pm:

  • For 146.66 yards or 30 seconds: £2.40
  • For every 146.66 yards / 30 seconds up to 1 mile: 20p
  • For every 185.26 yards / 30 seconds thereafter: 20p

Tariff 2

For hirings starting at 10pm until 7am. Weekend tariff starting at 6pm Friday until 7am Saturday, and 6pm Saturday until 7am Monday:

  • For 146.66 yards or 30 seconds: £2.60
  • For every 146.66 yards / 30 seconds thereafter: 20p

This tariff applies to the eve of all bank and public holidays from 6pm until 7am following bank and public holidays, and from 6pm on 24 December until 7am on 2 January.

Bus tariffs

Only when carrying 5 or more passengers:

  • For 1760 yards or 520 seconds: £8
  • For every 135.38 yards / 40 seconds thereafter: 20p

Weekends starting 6pm Friday until 7am Monday, only when carrying 5 or more passengers:

  • For 1760 yards / 600 seconds: £9
  • For every 117.33 yards / 40 seconds thereafter: 20p

Additional charges 

  • All road, bridge, tunnel and congestion fees to and from the journey: £100 maximum
  • For fouling the vehicle: £100 maximum

Note: Unpaid fares together with costs are recoverable before the justices as a penalty.

Regulation

The Council operates an 'Authorised Meter Agent' scheme to make sure of all the meters installed in licensed vehicles are accurate.

The scheme provides specialist meter agents who have the knowledge and equipment necessary, the authority to inspect, test and calibrate meters on behalf of the Council.

There are conditions attached to the scheme requiring agents to complete documentation and to make sure they only calibrate meters with information permitted by the council.

Taxi meter agents

Authorisation No. 1
Taximeter Services
Unit 16 Redburn Industrial Estate
Westerhope
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE5 1NF

Tel: 0191 267 7661

Authorisation No. 2
JG Taximeter Services
John Guy (Digitax Agent)

Tel: 07966198143

Authorisation No. 3
Digitax Electronics UK LTD
Tanners Bank
North Shields
NE30 1JH

Tel: 0191 296 1294

Authorisation - No. 4
Sunderland Mobile
Communications
East Cross Street
Sunderland
SR1 1XB

Tel: 07808 101391

Authorisation No. 6
(Allocated but not listed)

Authorisation No. 7
(Allocated but not listed)

Authorisation No. 8
Apex Radio Systems Ltd (formerly R T Systems)
102 Tantobie Road
Denton Burn
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE15 7DQ

Tel. 0191 228 0466

Authorisation No. 9
Cygnal Limited
Unit 1 Hetton Lyons Ind. Est.
Hetton le Hole
Houghton le Spring
Tyne and WearTyne and Wear
DH5 0RH

Tel. 0191 517 0888