Taxi drivers in Manchester call for fares to be put up Cabbies want to put tariffs up for the first time in three years – but instead they are facing a block on increases and the end of fuel and luggage surcharges as council chiefs try to stave off the cost to passengers Plans to review fares have put the city’s 2,000 black cab drivers at loggerheads with Manchester council.
Cabbies want to put tariffs up for the first time in three years – but instead they are facing a block on increases and the end of fuel and luggage surcharges as council chiefs try to stave off the cost to passengers.
Drivers say the moves represent a ‘real-time cut in earnings’ and will force them to work more hours or take home less pay.
Union and trade representatives wrote to senior officials, who licence around 1,800 hackney carriage vehicles, accusing them of making them go ‘cap in hand’ and expressing ‘deep concerns’ ahead of a meeting of the council’s executive committee which sets the fares.
Sean Kenny, of the Taxi Owners and Drivers Association and the GMB union, told the meeting: “We have among the highest operating costs in the country. We have 2,000 drivers – that’s 2,000 wives and about 6,000 children who are all affected.”
As well as putting up fares, drivers want to be able to recover the full cost of barrier charges at Piccadilly Station and add 30p onto fares at Manchester Airport.
A 20p per piece luggage surcharge and a fuel surcharge, brought in 2011 as a ‘safety net’ that kicks into force when the cost of diesel fluctuates dramatically, will also be removed, and a surcharge for card-paying customers limited to five per cent.
Mr Kenny said cabbies, whose operating costs are around £19,000 a year, said: “The recommendation of no fare increase at all means we will have to find ways to supplement our pay which a lot are already struggling to live on.
“That might mean that those who are able to, working longer hours which brings with it safety concerns. We believe we’re due an increase.”
The executive threw out proposals to abolish the Christmas tariff and to bring waiting time charges in line with other Greater Manchester authorities.
Licensing chief Kate Chappell said the council would talk to Network Rail and the airport about rising barrier charges as they seek to balance the cost to drivers and the public.
source:
http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/ ... es-6830990
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FAQ
its the same there as everywhere in the country the Drivers will not organise in solidarity.......resulting in this situation 
