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Taxi boss says sorry to customers for fare rise Hackney Drivers Association Ltd chairman, Charle Oakes, with his letter of apology at Preston City Hall
Published on Sat Nov 13 09:51:31 GMT 2010
A taxi trade boss today apologised to the people of Preston for a 10p per mile hike in day-time fares.
Charlie Oakes, chairman of the Bolton, Bury and Preston Hackney Carriage Association, took the step after taxi bosses at the city council agreed to the price rise.
Members of the Preston Hackney Carriage Association proposed the increase, saying it was necessary to mitigate the rising costs of insurance, fuel and taxi licences faced by drivers.
But Mr Oakes said “the majority” of his members, a total of 79, were against the move and he had lodged an objection with the council.
At the end of a 10-minute Town Hall meeting, members of the taxi sub-committee approved the fare rise for the Tariff One charge which applies from 7am until 11pm.
It means the cost of travelling two miles in a Hackney carriage will rise to £4.80. Preston currently has 298 Hackney drivers. Private hire vehicle charges are not affected.
A furious Mr Oakes, who said he had 164 Preston members, said: “We basically want to apologise to the public of Preston who will now have to pay (more).
“It will hit the shoppers, the poor pensioners will have to pay about 10p a mile more.
“We objected and we didn’t get a chance to have a say.
“It’s totally wrong that a majority of drivers should be dictated to by a minority of drivers.
“There should have been consultation with both memberships to get a feel for what the drivers wanted.
“It’s a travesty that the council have absolutely ignored us and never wanted to look at the forms that I took of the signatures of 94 drivers that I’d balloted.
“Nobody in this country would turn their nose up at a pay rise. The problem is we’re in the grip of massive cuts. We will lose work.”
However Mark Selley, secretary of the 50-member Preston Hackney Carriage Association, said there had not been one objection from the public and, even with the increase, Preston prices were still less than South Ribble, Fylde and Ribble Valley.
He said: “We don’t believe that Mr Oakes’ objection was anything to do with serving the best interests of the public, just to do with him trying to strike a blow against our association.
“Most of the public see what it costs for a litre of diesel, they know how expensive insurance is and, when push comes to shove, a tariff increase that adds 20p to a two-mile journey is not excessive.
“The licensing committee will only act in what they see as the best interests of the public.”
Mike Thorpe, head of licensing at Preston Council, said there would be a cost of around £10 per taxi for “re-calibrating” the meters.
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4thdabolton007
Saturday, November 13, 2010 at 04:04 PM Yes I am sorry IFletcher for my failings they are many but doing what is right for the trade, is not one of them i get slaged off much for my grammer and spelling mainly by those who not know me. but its funney it only a problem to them who dont like what i do, and say. But thank you for spending the time to reply.
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3IFletcher
Saturday, November 13, 2010 at 03:54 PM I presume thedabolton is Mr Oakes himself. I shall leave Mr Selley to argue the case wqith Mr Oakes, in the meantime may I reccomend the services of a proofreaderspell checker!
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2balders
Saturday, November 13, 2010 at 03:35 PM Should be a minimum 5 quid a mile for carrying some of the s&ite around town that they do..............
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1thdabolton007
Saturday, November 13, 2010 at 12:27 PM what a fool Mark Selley is Preston Prices were still less than South Ribble, Fyled and Ribble Valley, just what the point is hmost think that will passingers feel better, as they work in Preston. and for the comment the council will act only in the best intrest of the Public, I would like to see were this 3.2% increse plus waiting time, is in the best intrest of the public , may be you would like to ask them. Councillor Terence Geoffrey Thompson Vice-Chair Expected Councillor Mrs Pauline Mary Brown Committee Councillor John William Browne Committee THIS COUNCILLOR SECONED IT. Councillor Joyce Cartwright Committee Councillor Carl Crompton Committee, THIS COUNCILLOR PROPOSED THAT THEY AGREED Councillor Mrs Constance Margaret McManus Committee Councillor John Swindells Committee And they all agreed it, do you think it was in your intrest at this time.
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_________________ C. Oakes The Hackney Association Ltd bbha@btinternet.com
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