Taxi Driver Online

www.thisislincolnshire.co.uk

If you went by the reaction of some in the trade, you would think the sky was about to fall in. The most vocal opponent of the proposed increase operates 4 WAV,s. Combined value? less than £1500. The last cab he bought for £100. A B&Q Shed costs more. Most cabs here have been bought brand new. I am against age limits on cabs, but this guy is making me wonder if we won't have them imposed.

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Former taxi driver

The flagfall goes from £2:00 to £2:20 mileage from £1:30 to £1:35

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Former taxi driver

Taxi fares in Lincoln could go up by as much as 40p if drivers get their way.

Heaven forbid.

Maybe the local trade should ask the council to give them fuel rebates, and then the 40p may not be required.

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IDFIMH

Do you still drive that T reg metro Jimbo?

JD

The Monopoli mafia no doubt.

JD

Lincoln Fare increase.

Jimmy Hart Lincoln TOA Chairman puts a solid case for a fare increase.

Parts of Some quotes attributed to the local Lincoln rag enhanced with some added facts.
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Taxi drivers in Lincoln who drive some of the oldest licensed Taxis in the UK have asked the city council for a fare increase. Eighteen months after the last fare increase Hackney Carriage drivers say increased running costs and rising fuel prices have forced them to ask the council for another increase. Fares would increase by an estimated 20p to 40p if the council sanctioned the increase.

James Hart (55), of Bristol Drive, Lincoln, who drives a T registered Metro has been working as a taxi driver for the past 22 years and is the chairman of Lincoln Taxi Owners' Association. Mr Hart is reported as saying, "increased running costs have left the majority of the city's 30 black cab drivers with no choice but to ask for a further increase. We have an annual review of fares with the city council, but they set the fares and we have to get their approval for any increase".

"We now have to have wheelchair accessible vehicles and they can cost up to £35,000 brand new. You can get them second hand but they have a higher mileage on them. We also have to keep the maintenance of the vehicles up to a very high standard."

Although the city council controls the number of vehicles running and sets the metered fare, drivers own their own cars and the council has no input in the general running of the taxis.

Mr Hart said that taxis were the only form of public transport that did not receive any subsidies.

Fellow cabby Dave Gillard (59), from Cranwell who drives a Black Fiat, said he agreed with the price increase.

"Takings are generally down at the moment and I don't think many people will mind a 20p increase," he said.

Some taxi users like shop assistant Veronica Bloom (50), of Brant Road, disagree. She said: "I think they're too expensive anyway. Twenty pence doesn't sound that much but I thought fuel prices had just come down."
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Since it was brand new, if it's anything to you. And only the one careful driver.

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Former taxi driver

Your words, not mine.

Are you stalking me?

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Former taxi driver

Whats the legal definition of Stalking?

It may surprise you but I didn't realise you were the Chairman of the Lincoln Taxi owners association. No wonder you subscribe to TDO, I bet this site has been beneficial to you over the years. lol.

All I know is what you have mentioned in the past about you and your brother. Plus a few minor details appertaining to the Lincoln Taxi trade.

By the way, I hope you got your fair rise.

JD

As you like to mess with reports, I thought I would set the record strait.

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Former taxi driver

I don't recall ever mentioning the monopoli mafia though.

More like Fred Karno's Circus.

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Former taxi driver

Did you get your increase?

JD

"My" increase? You tell me.

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Former taxi driver

TDO RULE 4 "Malicious falsehoods"

On what evidence, JD, do you base your claim, that, "TAXI drivers in Lincoln who drive some of the oldest licensed TAXI'S in the UK"? That is not a "fact" as you claim, and did not appear in the original "Lincolnshire Echo" article that you partially quoted.

I was taught to be thick skinned when I was in the SAS. But not to lie.

I ask you now to prove your allegations against the TAXI trade in Lincoln or retract.

And by the way, only my Mum calls me jimmy. Has she been gobbing off again?

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Former taxi driver

Of the 29 motorised vehicles licensed byLincoln they have one that is 16 years old, several that are 15 years old, 14 years old, 13 years old, etc etc etc right up to the three 2004 models. Now if you don't think 16 years, is old for a vehicle to be licensed as a public carriage, then thats your problem but I do and so will many others. I never said the vehicles aren't roadworthy, I said they had some of the oldest licensed vehicles in the country and that is a fact.

JD