Taxi Driver Online

Taxi Drivers Reject Fare Increase

14th July 2008

TAXI drivers in Winchester have rejected fare increases in a bid to keep hold of cash-strapped customers.

The cabbies were worried that a fare increase would see a further drop in trade as customers cut back on taxi trips during the economic downturn.

Winchester City Council, which sets fares, offered taxi drivers the chance to bring in higher rates in the light of spiralling petrol prices and other motoring costs.

But drivers voted to forego the increase and bear the brunt of soaring petrol costs themselves.

Steve Eckton, chairman of the Taxi and Private Hire Association, said members could not afford to lose any more customers, as the fear of recession loomed.

He said: "We're losing money every day and customers aren't using taxis because they're in exactly the same position.

"The first thing people cut out in times like this is luxuries like taxis.

It's very hard for people to make a living, as it is with taxis, and we're always the first to be hit with recession."

Hackney Carriages, those that can be hailed in the street, charge a starting rate of £2.40, then no more than £3.80 for the first mile. It is then £2 for every subsequent mile.

The city council offered the cabbies various options to increase their fares, including adding 20p to the "pull-off" rate, and charging £2.10 per mile.

Mr Eckton, who has been a taxi driver for 15 years, added: "We need the increase, but we know if we took it we'd damage our trade even further."

Fellow driver Phil Oram, from South Wonston, said: "There's been a downturn in the economy and trade, and an increase in fuel costs, but we didn't want to shoot the golden goose. Why lose the trade we've got by increasing fares?"

One driver said fuel costs now accounted for about a quarter of his wages compared to 15 per cent last Christmas.

Winchester taxi drivers, who were divided over the issue at first, will meet with the council again in January to assess the situation.

A spokesman for Winchester City Council said: "The city council is conscious of the fact that the rising cost of fuel is putting extra pressure on taxi drivers.

"As such, we gave taxi drivers in our district the opportunity to vote for an increase to the current fare tariff.

"The drivers voted not to implement a price increase at this particular time, but the situation will be reviewed again at the end of the year."

There are around 130 Hackney Carriage taxis in Winchester and around a further 260 private hire vehicles.

_________________
Kind regards,

Brummie Cabbie.

Type a message, post your news,
Disagree with other members' views;
But please, do have some decorum,
When debating on the TDO Forum.