Taxi fares are rising in numerous regions of Lower Saxony.

In numerous cities and districts of Lower Saxony, taxi fares are rising. Other municipalities are preparing adjustments or examining higher transport charges. As a key reason, cities and districts cite rising personnel costs. The statutory minimum wage has been 13.90 euros per hour since January 1, 2026, and will rise to 14.60 euros on January 1, 2027. Many taxi tariffs had last been raised in 2022, among other things due to the energy crisis, and subsequently remained largely stable.

Tariffs differ regionally

The amount and structure of the transport charges differ considerably between municipalities. In the Gifhorn district, passengers have paid a minimum price of six euros since May, instead of previously 4.90 euros. For the first four kilometers, the price per kilometer is now 2.90 euros instead of 3.70 euros.

In the Nienburg district, the base price increased at the beginning of 2026 from 4.50 euros to eight euros. In return, the first kilometer is now already included. The cities of Lüneburg and Oldenburg as well as the districts Hameln-Pyrmont and Diepholz have also increased their prices, partly as early as 2025.

More increases are coming

More municipalities have already decided on new tariff levels. In Göttingen, the base price will increase from November by 1.30 euros to 5.80 euros. For the first three kilometers, the price per kilometer rises by 70 cents to 3.80 euros.

In the Schaumburg district, the base price and the per-kilometer price will be raised in September by 20 cents each to five and three euros, respectively. In the Leer district and in Wilhelmshaven, the tariffs have already been adjusted. There, further increases are planned for 2027.

Prices in the Harburg and Goslar districts are also being adjusted. The Wesermarsch, Rotenburg (Wümme), and Celle districts are also considering higher tariffs.

Prices are not rising everywhere

However, a uniform picture does not emerge. In Salzgitter and Osnabrück as well as the districts of Hildesheim and Wolfenbüttel, prices have not been changed since 2022. In the Verden district, the surcharge for transporting wheelchair users was removed, while other tariff components were increased.

Minimum wage increases personnel costs

As a major cost driver, the municipalities cite the statutory minimum wage. It rose on 1 January 2026 to €13.90 per hour. On 1 January 2027, a further increase to €14.60 follows. According to the city of Wolfsburg, wage costs can account for around 65 percent of a taxi company's costs. In addition, higher gasoline prices and general inflation come on top.

The umbrella association of the transport trades in Lower Saxony had warned in March about significant economic problems in the taxi and rental-car sector. According to the Cloppenburg district, more and more companies have given up their permits for economic reasons in recent years. The Göttingen district sees, especially for night rides on weekdays, problems with cost coverage.

The situation, however, varies regionally. In the districts of Harburg, Verden and Wittmund as well as in Wilhelmshaven, the number of companies is stable. In part, new providers are coming. The Leer district sees no bottleneck in taxi supply.

Demand is developing differently

Information on the development of passenger numbers is limited. In Emden, demand is declining. The Rotenburg (Wümme) district also records fewer passengers. As reasons, the administration cites higher tariffs and a changed going-out behavior since the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the Diepholz district, regular taxi rides are also decreasing. At the same time, there is growing demand for special rides such as patient transport.

Rental cars and on-demand local transport as alternatives

In addition to classic taxis, rental car offerings are available in some regions, arranged via apps or by telephone. Legally, these are not taxis. Different rules apply to rental cars. They may, for example, not wait for passengers at taxi stands or spontaneously pick up passengers. They are not subject to the municipal taxi fare obligation.

Another alternative are on-demand public transport offerings. In the Hannover surroundings, passengers can book minibuses of the Sprinti service. For use, a local transport pass or the Deutschlandticket suffices. Comparable offers exist with Flexo in the Braunschweig region as well as in the Lüchow-Dannenberg district.