Taxi Driver Online

Don't suppose this is all that different to Uber's surge pricing, or even aspects of HC fares.

So as long as it's flagged up to Boro's punters then I can't really see what all the fuss is about, or any legal issues. People can like it or lump it.


Boro Taxis defend app after 'jump the queue' feature is branded 'totally immoral'

https://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/tees ... r-17302249

A councillor has asked 'if the cabinet could look into this to see if they are breaking any rules'

A taxi app allowing passengers to “jump the queue” for £2 has been branded “totally immoral”.

Cllr Ted Strike raised complaints about the Boro Taxis mobile phone app on Wednesday evening in a debate about changes to licensing rules at Stockton Council (November 20).

The councillor for Ingleby Barwick east said: “It may not be illegal but I think it’s totally immoral when you can pay £2 when people have been waiting.

“I wonder if the cabinet could look into this to see if they are breaking any rules - and whether we can put a stop to it if possible?”

Cllr Steve Nelson, cabinet member for community safety, told the chamber he’d not used the Boro Taxis app himself but had spoken to people who had.

He added: “They don’t seem to think it’s very effective in terms of the value for money it purports to give.

“I don’t know how much influence we can have on that but it’s my intention to have a discussion with licensing officers.

“I will take your concerns away and get a formal response.”

Cabs tend to fall into two classifications.

Hackney Carriages are licensed to pick people up from the roadside, or on ranks, while private hire vehicles are only permitted to pick up from pre-arranged bookings.

In response to the criticisms, Boro Taxis thanked the council for the attention it was getting.

A company spokeswoman said: “We’re delighted to be receiving publicity for our new app from Stockton Council, which is proving to be hugely popular with thousands of users across the North-east.

“The so-called “queue jump” feature is used by Teessiders all the time, just as they purchase speedy boarding when jetting off on their summer holidays.

“It seems we’ve got lots of ‘appy’ customers but not many ‘appy’ councillors.”

Rule changes agreed

Meanwhile, Stockton councillors agreed drivers will only have to hold a DVLA licence for one year rather than three from now on to get on the authority's books.

But they will still have to pass a Tees Valley taxi assessment based in Hartlepool.

The law doesn’t require cabs to be licensed in the authority they’re working in - and passes can be obtained from elsewhere in the country.

This practice sparked calls from leader Cllr Bob Cook for passengers to "insist on taxis licensed in Stockton" last week, amid controversy over hundreds of cabs getting licences from Wolverhampton Council.

The licence rule changes were eventually agreed at Stockton Town Hall on Wednesday.

But not before Thornaby independent Cllr Luke Frost shared his own concerns.

He added: “It’s not our responsibility to be lowering our standards to get in line with neighbouring authorities, or indeed Wolverhampton.”

Cllr Nelson strongly denied standards were being lowered.

He added: “Public safety is of paramount concern in the work we do on licensing policies.

“These changes bring us into line with the rest of the Tees Valley - and in some cases we’re still harder than them.

“What we need to develop is a Tees Valley policy on this - and we desperately need the government to issue their guidance they’ve been sitting on for ages.”

Personally don't see an issue with this.

Firms like Boro Cars have got to do something to keep drivers going over to Uber, and as long as the £2 goes to the drivers then so be it.

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IDFIMH

customer has the choice but would there be many nights or days when it would make much difference ?

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

Someone at the council has finally read the act.

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IDFIMH

It's not just dependent on the day, or night, but also on holidays and when the weather is rather rubbish.

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IDFIMH

I was being more general and assuming that but the point was that Middlesborough has appeared in quite a few stories implying trade wars and oversupply of drivers so are there that many occasions when there is a need to queue jump ?

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

Does it matter *how often* it happens?

If it does happen then clearly there's a 'need', assuming you're a punter willing to pay the extra.

If it doesn't happen then obviously there's no need.

But *how often* it does happen isn't really relevant as far as I can see.

Anyway, Boro Cars have a reputation for cheap fares, which is probably why the can justify charging an extra £2 at peak times, whether that happens umpteen times a day, or once in a blue moon. Or, in reality, somewhere between those two extremes.

from a customer point of view I would not be very happy if I had booked my car on a Monday to be picked up at midnight on the Saturday only to be told that the car would be late because some other people had paid more than me for the same or similar journey.

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Grandad,

I think its a pretty good idea, only i don't think a poxy £2 is enough. Automatic use of the night tariff is a better idea because when this charge has been applied im sure there is a greater expectation to be on time.

now there's an idea passengers paying full meter rate getting priority over passengers on a quoted fare

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

Indeed, but not sure if there's maybe some sort of mechanism that prioritises prior bookings over those made for a car there and then?

You would have thought that if a booking is made for a specified time then it would be met at the standard price, but not clear from the article.

I agree with you,it would appear the this operator is not a" fit and proper person",clearly does not understand contract law,once you accept a booking it is a contract with the person who made the booking,you will provide a vehicle at the time stated failure to do so makes you liable for any additional costs in not fulfilling the booking.

All speculation, though, and nothing in article to suggest Boro not honouring any advance bookings - and that certainly not the essence of the complaints made to and by councillors.

And, although technically you're right about contract law, and perhaps the implications for fit and proper status, in practical terms it's a non-starter, and of academic relevance only.

And, I mean, if every firm that was late for a booking was hauled up in that way then there wouldn't be many left

Unless, of course, Judge Heathcote was in the chair, but unfortunately that's not the case

Another piece about Boro's surge pricing (not the one I posted) states:



Which I'm guessing applies to either surge pricing or the £2 'queue jump' charge.

No word of what happens to bookings made less than two days in advance, though

If it's not ruled out then one would imagine it must apply.

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IDFIMH