Taxi Driver Online

Blackpool Gazette

July 28, 2007

Cabbies conflict over 'fares hike'

TAXI passengers could be paying a pound more for a five-mile journey through Blackpool if a union representing drivers gets its way.

But their demand for an 11.6 per cent average fare hike has prom-pted a row with fellow cabbies.

The application to increase fares depending on the tariff and based on average mileage has been made by the Blackpool Transport and General Workers Union on behalf of its members.

But other drivers want to block the move and wait until later in the year for an increase.

Passengers travelling over Christmas and New Year would have to pay £5 before their journey starts, compared to £4.40 now if proposals are agreed.

There are also applications to bring forward the time at which more expensive night-time fares come into operation, by an hour from 11pm to 10pm, and from 3am to 2am.

But some drivers and owners want to wait until the findings of a new taxi licensing policy document are revealed later this month.

The council has received objections from the Blackpool Licensed Taxi Association (BLTOA), Radio Cabs and Progress Taxis.

Darren Humphries, who has made the application on behalf of the T&G union, said drivers had only been able to increase fares by 20p in the last three years but were coming under increasing pressure to invest in vehicles.

He said: "The cost of running a taxi is going through the roof, with fuel, insurance and maintenance costs all increasing.

At the same time, we are expected by the council to invest more money into our vehicles and even to buy new ones costing around £30,000 before they will let us have a fare increase.

"If councillors were told they couldn't have a pay rise unless they did something like that, I don't think they'd be pleased.

It's time we got something back and I don't think it's an excessive amount or that customers would be adverse to paying."

Trevor Boaler, secretary of BLTOA, said his group wanted to consider possible implications of the taxi licensing review before asking for a fares increase.

He said: "We want to defer any application until we can assess the possible financial implications of the new policy documents."

Blackpool Council's senior licensing officer Ted Rhodes said: "It is interesting that the majority of the trade are opposing a fare increase at this time and appear to be reserving a right to submit a bid until later in the year when the full implications of the proposed new hackney carriage and private hire policy are finalised."

The application will be discussed by the Public Protection Sub-Committee on Thursday at the Town Hall.
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