Taxi meters and charges
Meters
| Type of vehicle | Meter required by law? |
|---|---|
| Hackney Carriage (black cab) | Yes |
| Private hire vehicle | No |
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. Several 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.
| Tariff 1 | Cost |
|---|---|
| If the distance does not exceed 631 metres (690 yards) for the whole distance | £2.00 |
| For each succeeding 217 metres or parts thereafter (237 yards) | £0.20 |
| Waiting time | Cost |
| For each period of 30 seconds | £0.20 |
This converts approximately to £3.00 for the first mile and £1.60 per mile thereafter | |
Tariff 2 | Cost |
For hiring's between 10:00pm and 7:00am Monday to Saturday inclusive; all day Sunday; from 8:00pm on the Eve of all bank and public holidays until 10:00pm on those days and from 7:00pm on 24 December until 7:00am on 2 January. | |
| If the distance does not exceed 189 metres (206 yards) for the whole distance | £2.20 |
| For each succeeding 189 metres or parts thereafter (206 yards) | £0.20 |
| Waiting time | Cost |
| For each period of 30 seconds | £0.20 |
This converts approximately to £3.80 for the first mile and £1.80 per mile thereafter | |
Additional charges | |
| For each dog (Except assistance dogs) | £0.50 |
| For fouling the vehicle | £50.00 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 ensure accuracy of all the meters installed in licensed vehicles.
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 ensure 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. 5
HB Electronics
(John Rosindale)
10 South Street
West Rainton
County Durham
DH4 6PA
Tel: 0191 5845590
Authorisation No. 6
(Allocated but not listed)
Authorisation No. 7
RMTS Authorisation
(Michael Pippet)
Unit 7 Mitre Place
South Shields
NE33 5TB
Tel: 0191 4553311
Authorisation No. 8
R T Systems
6 Derwenthaugh Marina
Blaydon on Tyne
NE21 5LL
Tel. 01914148880
