Taxi Driver Online

Taxi firms’ anger as ‘bullying’ council asks for price cuts



TRAFFORD Council have told taxi operators currently carrying out contracts for them that prices will need to be slashed by at least 10 per cent.

A letter has been sent out to all taxi firms affected explaining they should take the cut or face losing the contract when a new tendering process allowing firms from outside Trafford for the the first time to submit bids. It follows a ‘best value procurement review’ last year.

Firms who fail to reduce their contract prices by a ‘minimum of 10 per cent’, cannot be ‘guaranteed future business’, the letter warns.

While taxi drivers are accusing the council of bullying tactics, the council defended its stance saying it was about ensuring best value was achieved.

Corporate director for environment, transport and operations, Peter Molyneux, said: “The Council needs to ensure it is getting the best value for money out of this service, and through a competitive tendering process we can make sure this is happening.

“A letter has been issued to all of our current suppliers to inform them of this.

“In a time when all public bodies are having to make savings, we have suggested to our suppliers that they review their prices before submitting a tender so they remain competitive.

“We want to encourage local businesses to be part of this framework which could result in even further business for them.”

But a taxi driver who SUM spoke to, who asked only to be identified as John, said: “At a time when costs are rising, including fuel, the council wants us pay us less. A 10 per cent cut for me on the contract I do means a £35 a week cut.

“I’ve never seen anything like this before,” said the driver of 15 years. “It down to the government giving the council less money, and getting the council to do their dirty work. But having said that, how would they like it if their staff were given a 10 per cent cut. They’ve got the union on their side though and we’ve got no one.”

Another taxi operator who contacted Messenger under agreement of anonymity said: “I’ve had to accept the cuts. If I didn’t I would have had to let drivers go. It’s bully-boy tactics.”

source: http://www.messengernewspapers.co.uk/news/

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

Hopefully all the firms involved stick together and don't reduce their prices.

Sadly, there is always one smart arse firm who probably will reduce their prices.

We do have unions and associations on our side, this chap apparently isn't aware of this or thought it wasn't worth his effort to become a member of one

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Note to self: Just because it pops into my head does NOT mean it should come out of my mouth!!

same every year all over the country, is it not? The LA set the metered fare, and then expect you to cover their contracts at a cut price.

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My heart is heavy, but my consience clear,
I voted Yes, without any fear.

lets hope badge and plate fees will be reduced 10% then

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Of all the things ive lost, i miss my mind the most

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IDFIMH

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Of all the things ive lost, i miss my mind the most

ill drop my prices if the county council bunker fuel and sell it cheap to me

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Of all the things ive lost, i miss my mind the most

I knew it would get a laugh.

In the last 10 years in Southport the firm I work for and another firm have only had 2 fare rises, November 2002 and 2007 all because another firm won't budge, their fares currently start at £1.40.

Trafford are the first of the ten GMA to break cover. This will happen in all of Greater Manchester authorities on April 1. Manchester City transport has called a meeting for today. We expect to be told similar at that meeting. Trafford by the way, gave all their school excorts 90 days notice last friday, some had worked for them for over 20 years. Manchester has asked, firstly for volunteer redundencies and if targets are not met compulsory follows.
All the lost escorts are expected to be replaced, or rehired by the companies who bid for the school contracts, you provide your own escort. The new system is called Chess (or Chest). It is a reverse bidding system. A job starts at the current price and you then bid downwards until nobody can do it cheaper. Hard times ahead methinks.



http://www.agma.gov.uk/latest-news/prov ... uses/index

That old chestnut of you have to be cheap to compete It that was the case the only supermarkets about would be Netto and Aldi ffs. Where would Tesco, Sainsburys and M & S be If you provide a superior service you can charge a superior price and people will pay it. If however your service is no better than theirs then you are quite right to keep your charges at the same level, who would want to pay more for the same thing?

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Note to self: Just because it pops into my head does NOT mean it should come out of my mouth!!

Aldi/Lidl and Netto aint cheap now...

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Of all the things ive lost, i miss my mind the most

Interesting that you should use supermarkets for your view.
Still using the supermarkets, if you say that the supermarket is the council and the end user is the customer, then we are the supplier to the supermarket. The supermarkets like Tesco, Asda and Sainsburys are well known for squeezing the price of goods from their suppliers just as the councils are trying to squeeze the price from their suppliers, US!

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Grandad,

How much a mile does it cost to run a vehicle at today's prices, taking into account fuel insurance and servicing

It's worse than that with supermarkets in some cases you pay them to sell your goods and they tell you how much you can sell it for

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Note to self: Just because it pops into my head does NOT mean it should come out of my mouth!!