Taxi Driver Online

Cabbies vote to keep fares at 2008 rates



TAXI fares in Colchester are to be frozen for at least another year after a ballot of drivers.

Colchester Hackney Carriage Association members voted on whether they want to seek an increase of the price of trips, having agreed not to raise them at a ballot last year.

The association, which has 131 licensed drivers, has to apply to Colchester Council’s licensing committee for any increase.

Prices last rose in July 2008 after the council agreed the move on the grounds of rising insurance and maintenance costs.

Tony Saunders, chairman of the association, commended the drivers for what he said was a “brave” decision.

He said: “In this current climate, it is a very brave decision.

“Petrol is going up and then there is the license fees and other factors to consider. It is particularly admirable that they have voted not to increase fares for another year. I am quite pleased and surprised with how the vote came out.”

The decision not to increase last year had been the first for a number of years.

At the time the association had hinted it may continue into 2011 if the economy did not improve and drivers felt it was for the best.

Mr Saunders said the vote had been tight, but favoured keeping the current fees.

Fares charged for a four-person car are £2.60 for the first 200 yards then 30p for each subsequent 245 yards.

Waiting time is 30p for each period of 90 seconds with fares going up to £3.40 for the first 300 yards between 10pm and 6am and on public holidays.

The freeze only affects taxis which are licensed as hackney carriages.

They have a badge on the back indicating they are hackney carriages and can pick up passengers from the street.

Private hire and minicab companies operate their own fees.

source: http://www.essexcountystandard.co.uk/news/