Taxi Driver Online

Pretty bog standard stuff here...apart from the biggie


Blackburn with Darwen taxi fares to rise as inflation hits cabs

https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/n ... hits-cabs/

Taxi fares in Blackburn with Darwen are set to rise by 7.5 per cent to help drivers and operators cope with the rising cost of fuel and parts.

However, the extra charge for Sunday and most bank holidays is to be scrapped.

Blackburn with Darwen Council environment boss Cllr Jim Smith has authorised the changes.

The rise has been welcomed by taxi drivers' boss Ashraf Mangera and Tory councillor and cabbie Cllr Tiger Patel.

Cllr Smith said in an executive decision: "Blackburn Hackney Carriage Association submitted a request on behalf of the trade for an increase in the fares for hackney carriage journeys.

"They need the rise because of the effect of inflation particularly fuel prices. The last increase was in 2019.

"The increase in fares will take effect from December 10.

"The fare for a two mile journey on Tariff One is currently £6.30.

"The proposal for Blackburn with Darwen is £6.77 for the two mile journey.

"This is a 7.5 per cent increase.

"The proposal is to also remove the increase of fare for Sundays and Bank Holidays (with the exception of Christmas and New Year).

"In effect this removes the premium on fares for Sundays and Bank Holidays."

Mr Mangera said: "This is a good decision. It is vital for us because of the impact of the cost of living crisis.

"The Sunday and Bank Holiday tariff makes little difference to us. Scrapping it will help customers."

Conservative Cllr Altaf 'Tiger' Patel, of Audley and Queens Park ward, added: "I welcome this.

"Drivers and operators are suffering from the cost of living crisis.

"The cost of fuel and parts is hitting them hard. This will help."

Meanwhile, talks between Cllr Smith and taxi cab and private hire drivers in Blackburn with Darwen regarding a possible series of strike in the run-up to Christmas, over the cost of vehicle safety tests, are continuing.

The drivers are angry at the council’s refusal to outsource the checks to private garages, rather than insist all are conducted at the council’s Motor Vehicle Service Station at its Davyfield Depot.

The 1,100 drivers of both hackney carriage and private hire vehicles have threatened to stage four strikes on Mondays in December unless the testing regime is changed.

Their representatives will meet Cllr Smith in the next week to try and find a solution.

Cllr Smith said: "I really hope the drivers do not go on strike."

Mr Mangera said: "No final decision on strike action has been taken. We will make that after meeting Cllr Smith again."

Can't fault his logic, to be fair


We don't have any such premiums in Fife, but what's the betting some drivers won't be too happy about this?

And what's the betting Mr Mangera doesn't work Sundays and bank holidays

On the other hand, I think he's right - looks like T2 (which applies after 10pm and on Sundays and bank holidays) just brings the flagfall distance forward from 735 yards to 693 yards and the running mile is identical

I mean, the only difference from T1 to T2 is that the meter starts cranking up 42 yards (38 metres) earlier

But which begs the question, why bother removing it? And if it's worth removing, why do they need a T2 night tariff at all?

Here's the current tariff card, in case I'm misinterpreting it:

https://www.blackburn.gov.uk/licences-a ... iage-fares

So it's a £2.50 flag for less than half a mile, then looks like £2.34 per running mile.

And they're a bit mean on the extras as well. Nothing for luggage, extra passengers etc.

And the "valet fee if vehicle fouled" is £25

There's a £1 charge for "Pets, Dogs and Cats", though

With tariff levels like that, I suspect drivers there are wishing for a menagerie all the time

I am not sure that implementing a tariff change by an executive decision is legal. Surely it has to be advertised to allow for any objections BEFORE any decision can be made.

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Grandad,

Although there is no mention of a consultation the article doesn't say there wasn't one did it ?

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lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector

F***wit.

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IDFIMH

It most certainly does.

But the report to councillor indicates it will be advertised.

https://democracy.blackburn.gov.uk/docu ... crease.pdf

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IDFIMH

So, having removed the Sundays and public holiday premium in 2022, it looks like it's to be reinstated

Or at least, that seems to be what's happening. The article is a bit disjointed, and I suspect there's a paragraph or two missing.

Would be interesting to know the precise rationale for the reinstatement, but can't be bothered looking it up

And can't be bothered crunching the numbers either. But, I mean, the valeting fee is going up from the current £20?


Taxi fares in Blackburn with Darwen set to rise

https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/n ... -set-rise/

TAXI fares in a borough are to rise.

Hackney carriage charges in Blackburn with Darwen will increase with effect from December 18.

The higher charge for using cabs on Sundays and Bank Holidays was removed in 2022.

The rise follows a request from taxi drivers and firms.

A report by Blackburn with Darwen Council's environment boss Cllr Jim Smith says: "Blackburn Hackney Carriage Association have submitted a request on behalf of the trade for an increase in the fares for hackney carriage journeys.

"The last increase was in 2022.

"If there are no objections to the request the increase will take effect. Any objections will be considered.

"The proposal for Blackburn with Darwen is to keep the current fare for shorter journeys.

"However where journeys are longer than 672 meters (735 yards) to reduce the number of additional metres travelled for 10p.

"The impact of the change will only be seen in longer journeys – approximately 10 miles and above.

"The proposal is to also re-instate a Tariff 2 fare (higher charge) for Sundays and Bank Holidays. This was removed in 2022.

"The valet fee if a vehicle is fouled by a customer to also be increased from £20 to £50.

"This will more realistically cover the costs of cleaning and loss of work time whilst a vehicle is being cleaned."

The new fares are: For hiring between 6am and 10pm Monday to Saturday (excluding bank holidays) * If the distance does not exceed 672 metres (735 yards) for the whole thereof £3.50; and * For each subsequent 68.5 metres (75 yards) or lesser portion thereof 10p; and * Waiting period for each period of 55 seconds or uncompleted part thereof 10p For hiring between 10pm and 6am Monday to Saturday, all day Sunday and Bank Holidays: * If the distance does not exceed 634 metres (693 yards) for the whole thereof £3.50; and * For each subsequent 59.4 metres (65 yards) or lesser portion thereof 10p.

For hiring between 10pm December 24 and 6am December 27 and between 6.00 pm December 31 and 6am January 2: * If the distance does not exceed 603 metres (660 yards) for the whole thereof £3.75; and * For each subsequent 92 metres (101yards) or lesser portion thereof 15p.

Extra passengers, wheelchairs and assistance dogs will remain free but a £1 charge will be imposed for pets, dogs and cats.

And quite rightly too.

Maybe the operators and drivers that wanted rid of it last time have stopped taking drugs and realised that drivers should be rewarded for working those times.

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IDFIMH