Private hire operators in Slough will face an ‘excessive’ increase in the fees they have to pay – despite concerns that this will discourage drivers from wanting to work in the town. A new one-year licence for private hire operators wanting to set up their business in Slough will increase from £153 to £600 – a 292 per cent hike. A comparison to Manchester City Council, charging £2,790 for a new operator licence, and Portsmouth City Council operators, who pay £836, was also offered to councillors. Officers have to visit the base of a new private hire operator and inspect it as well, the meeting heard. “The operator fee for the new [private hire] operators kind of also protects the existing operators,” he said.

Source: Express March 13, 2026 16:04 UTC