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 |
|---|---|
For hirings between 7am and 10pm If the distance does not exceed 173.74 metres (190 yards) For the whole distance | £2.40 |
| For each succeeding 173.74 metres (190 yards) | 20p |
| Waiting time | Cost |
| For each period of 60 seconds | 40p |
Tariff 2 | Cost |
For hirings between 10pm and 7am Monday to Saturday inclusive; all day Sunday; from 8pm on the eve of all Bank and public holidays until 7am on the day following Bank and public holidays and from 8pm on 24 December until 7am on 2 January | |
If the distance does not exceed 146.3 metres (160 yards) For the whole distance | £2.60 |
| For each succeeding 146.3 metres (160 yards) | 20p |
| Waiting time | Cost |
| For each period of 60 seconds | 40p |
Additional charges | |
| Surcharge for all journeys on Christmas Day and New Years Day | £2 |
| For each dog (Except assistance dogs) | 50p |
| 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 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. 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