Taxi Driver Online

Taxi drivers may strike over fares

TAXI drivers in Cardiff have threatened to stage a mass demonstration after their request for a fare rise was rejected.

Cabbies could also stage a strike on a busy Friday or Saturday in the capital to highlight their plight.

Trade representatives say their livelihoods have been hit by the soaring cost of fuel and the VAT rise.

The Cardiff Hackney Carriage Association applied to increase fares by 5.83% – the first rise since December 2008.

But Cardiff council’s public protection committee yesterday turned down the application 6-1.

Association chairman Mathab Khan said a convoy of taxis would hold a protest outside City Hall at the next full council meeting on February 24.

Cabbies will also be asked if they are prepared to sacrifice their takings by going on a two-hour strike in the near future.

“Our members will be extremely disappointed,” said Mr Khan, who represents about 700 hail-and-ride cab drivers.

“There is a real possibility that there will be a big demonstration on the way. A lot of drivers have already told me they would also go on strike,” he added.

Diesel prices have increased from a Wales average of 101.9p per litre in December 2008 to 126.7p per litre last December – a 24.33% rise.

“We need to make the public aware that we are struggling and we cannot afford to run taxis on the current fare,” Mr Khan added.

The final decision on any industrial action will be taken by the association’s committee members.

A newly launched rival trade body, meanwhile, said it backed a fare rise but would not take part in any form of protest.

Union of Taxi Drivers chairman Abdi Ahmed, who represents 49 drivers, said it wanted to work with the council to reach a compromise.

The proposed fare rise would have increased an average three-mile journey, for example from Cardiff Central station to Llandaff village, from £6.80 to £7.20.

A new taxi drivers’ code of conduct was also accepted at yesterday’s committee meeting.

The city’s cabbies will be expected to sign up to the Cardiff Taxi Driver Code, which tells them to smarten up and not turn away passengers.


Source: http://www.walesonline.co.uk/cardiffonline/

_________________
Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

I have had great difficulty trying to down load the PHM league tables. I did manage to glean before I lost the page, that in February Cardiff is in position 169 of the tables.

Can anyone tell me where we were in 2005 ? (I think it was 56 ish position), how many are in the league tables ? Is Caerphilly taxis tariff above or below us?

Many thanks in anticipation.

_________________
if you cannot be yourself, then who can you be.

I aint sure.....but I do know, despite my many bickerings with you.....you are a major City and the costs should reflect this.

CC

_________________
Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

They must have given a reason for the refusal.

Usually it's because some of the trade objected.

_________________
IDFIMH