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Gloucestershire Echo
October 19, 2006 Thursday
HEADLINE: Don't throw up in my cab!
Drunken passengers who throw up in taxis in the Cotswolds will be fined £50.
Cotswold District Council has introduced the charge to help taxi firms that lose business when they're forced to clean up after their customers.
Cirencester-based taxi firm A2B was in favour of the change. Spokesman Gary Purser said: "It's a good idea by the council.
"It will particularly help our night-time drivers who have to put up with drunk people being sick all over the cab." The district council had originally proposed a £100 charge, but reconsidered.
Coun David Broad (C, Chedworth) said: "The figure is about right and fair on people who most likely have been able to afford a night out drinking in the first place."
But Coun Broad admitted concerns about the response a taxi driver might get when imposing the fine. He said: "It is a worry that people who have had 10 to 12 pints may cause conflict."
There was more good news for the taxi firm after the council ditched proposals to increase rates. Officers at the council had recommended increasing waiting charges for Cotswold cabs.
This could have seen charges for hiring during Christmas and New Year jump from £15 to £36. A2B had organised a petition, signed by all its drivers, arguing it could put people out of work.
CDC decided to abandon the idea and fares will remain the same, making the Cotswolds one of the cheapest fares districts in the county. For Cotswold district, hire tariffs are £15 an hour from Monday to Saturday. The average county figure is £17.16.
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