Taxi Driver Online

Fare rise not fair - cabbies

Taxi fare increases are being opposed – by cabbies themselves.
Wearside taxi drivers are split after two groups representing them lobbied the council for a change in pricing.

At a special council meeting last week it was agreed fares are to go up, after councillors heard proposals from both sides.

The Independent Hackney Carriages of Sunderland (IHCOS) wanted to see customers travelling between 2am and 6am charged the most expensive tariff three – usually reserved for the festive season and bank holidays.

This would have seen journeys rise by £1, but fares at other times would remain the same.

Now IHCOS says increasing daytime rates will be bad for business, claiming it will drive away customers.

Sunderland Hackney Carriage Operators' Association (SHCOA) made a successful bid for rises of between 4.9 and 6.4 per cent on all three tariffs used for taxi journeys in the city.

IHCOS members met on Tuesday and agreed to officially oppose the SHCOA bid.

This could mean a price freeze on taxi fares until councillors meet again to debate the issue.

IHCOS cabbies fear daytime customers will turn to public transport if fares rise.

Spokesmen Ian Mills and Michael Young said: "We believe these rises would damage the trade. We do try to listen to the customers and our running costs are coming down."

SHCOA spokesman Trevor Hines hit back, saying they represented many day shift drivers who felt the IHCOS proposal did not take their rising costs of living into consideration.

"If they have made an objection it is obviously up to the committee to decide. When we do put in for a fare increase we always think long and hard and think about public resistance. We are not naive and we are aware we are entering a recession."

Private hire firms have also joined the row. City of Sunderland Private Hire Operators' Association (COSPHOA) has announced it will not back plans to raise all three tariffs.

Spokesman Jim Hannan said: "The private hire side of the taxi trade is no longer consulted on any proposals that affect the rise in tariffs. In fact, we were told that it was no concern of ours.

"The council sets the maximum rate that hackney carriage operators can charge but private hire operators are not obliged to comply with these rates.

"A freeze of fares will be imposed by members of COSPHOA who are worried that rises could damage the trade during this period of financial instability.

"To help operators in their resolve to see this fare freeze through its time span, the council could place a similar freeze on all costs that it charges the trade."

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

It is no concern of the PH trade is it?

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Grandad,

Unless of course they want to fix their prices like those PH Cartels?

CC

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

hmmmm

http://www.oft.gov.uk/news/press/2008/131-08

CC

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

oops

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http://wingsoverscotland.com/ http://www.newsnetscotland.com/

You don't have to be a rocket Scientist, to work out what will happen if you hike fares in a recession.

Bike shops in Edinburgh, are doing a roaring trade since the fear of recession gripped the country.

The reality is, people will always find cheaper alternatives to spending more money.


If the Ph, give fixed fares then that's were your work will go- then buses, motorbikes, scooters and bicycles.

If you've been watching "Credit Crash Britain", consumers are looking for cheaper alternatives to Tesco, Asda and M&S.

Why should the high end service we provide be any different? People just want to get from A-B without paying a Kings Ransom.

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All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others.
George Orwell, "Animal Farm"

Oh and btw, I know a lot of guys sitting on ranks shi*ing themselves for what the new year might bring.

If you want punters to pay your bills, frightening them away by ramming up tariffs is hardly the answer.


Only feckwitts running the taxi trade could come up with that one.

_________________
All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others.
George Orwell, "Animal Farm"

You need to be a little more selective with who you know

CC

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

Aye you're right, but unfortunately there's no where else to go. I think reality is starting to bite. I don't hear one bumping their chops over how much their plate is worth any more. Most are just sitting back, waiting to see what happens, with that startled rabbit look on their faces.

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All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others.
George Orwell, "Animal Farm"

Watership Down

CC

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

There is a price rise in the offing in my borough. It was advertised in the press and there was only one objection. This means that either no one read it in no one gives a toss. BTW the objector was me.

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Grandad,

Well at least you have delayed it for a few months.

Now if that's a good or bad thing is for the locals to decide on.

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IDFIMH

No not delayed at all. The increase goes ahead from December the 1st. We have to get our meters re-calibrated on that day when Pitts taximeters will be in town to do the changes.

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Grandad,

If you, or anyone else, has objected, then the council have to consider that objection. If you hadn't objected then the meter change would have already happened.

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IDFIMH

The meter change was always planned for December 1st. The objections had to be in by November 12th. I received a letter from the LO on the 14th saying that because there was only one objection from within the trade and none from the public, the increase would go ahead.

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Grandad,