Taxi Driver Online

Lancashire Evening Post

March 28, 2008

Fees for passengers who vomit in taxis set to rise

Passengers who throw up in the back of a cab could get charged more than double - as well as face a hike in taxi fares.

The so-called soiling fee will be increased from £40 to £100 in South Ribble if the council gives the go-ahead.

Cabbies in the South Ribble Council area have asked the authority to consider putting up the fares for the first time since September 2006.

Drivers say that the rising cost of fuel and insurance premiums - as well as an increase in the number of inebriated passengers - means it is costing more to stay on the road.

Now anyone who forces a taxi off the road by soiling it through their drunkenness could be hit with the £100 charge.

Currently, getting into one of the council's 170 black cabs costs £1.80 for the first quarter of a mile and 20p for every subsequent eighth of a mile, or 220 yards.

But under the proposals put forward by the council, the initial "flag drop" will rise to £2.10 and this will cover the first eighth of a mile. Each additional 220 yards will still cost 20p.

Thirteen taxi drivers approached South Ribble's licensing committee asking for the fares to be reviewed. Letters will now be sent out to drivers informing them of the proposals and asking for their views.

In Preston, passengers are charged £2 for the first half mile and 10p for every 117 yards afterwards.

From 11pm to 7am and all day Sundays, the first half mile is charged at £2.70, with 20p for each subsequent 176 yards.

Vomiting customers are currently charged £30.

The price increases planned for South Ribble will not affect private hire vehicles.

Coun Phil Smith, chairman of the licensing committee, said: "It's been almost two years since we last considered hackney fares and we understand that during this time the costs of fuel and insurance premiums have risen substantially.

"The council also has a strict age limit policy on all council vehicles to ensure that hackney vehicles are safe. This means an additional cost to the driver."

"The council has a responsibility to ensure that any fare increase would protect drivers' earnings while ensuring that taxis in South Ribble continue to represent good value for money."

Members of the public now have 14 days to make written representations to the council.
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Not really sure about this.

Chances of getting £100 from some washed up, pi**ed up bird?

And does it cost £100 for a for valet?

But as a deterrent it might have an impact.

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IDFIMH

There is the lost takings to consider (and you usually get pukers at the busiest times) but I agree that it's unrealistic to expect to get £100.

How do / did you get money out of a puker?

It's what I dread, so somebody tell me how you handle it! (PS - you're welcome to tell me on my podcast comment line 01752 548771 and star in the next sordid episode )

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If you can't get the money on the night, slim chance, then the only way is through the small claims court.

If you can be bothered.

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IDFIMH

Account customers are easy, just add it to the fare. Cash customers are harder.

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http://wingsoverscotland.com/ http://www.newsnetscotland.com/

I had one a couple of weeks ago, and as the three students approached the car I said to the one are you alright as I had a bit of an inkling. As ever yes came the reply, I literally stopped at their destination and as the one girl got up so did the rest of her except inside the car. The two sober ones were very apologetic, I told them it was a £50 soiling fee and then I had we have no money can you come back tomorrow. By now I know they are taking the P*** so out comes my Digital cam and I take a picture of the female culprit who by now, found it funny as in laughing.

What good is that going to do drive?

Well I will be back in the morning and I will go and see the Principal, and notify him of your refusal to pay as you have just put me off the road.

Hey presto straight to the cash machine - money paid.

I think sometimes you have also got to measure it against the people you are up against, I mean if it was someone like the Krays, I would just have to apologise for being a bad driver

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if you cannot be yourself, then who can you be.