Taxi Driver Online

Taxi wars loom as licensing chiefs let minicabs cut fares

TAXI wars are set to break out in Edinburgh after minicabs were handed the right to charge lower fares than their black cab rivals.

The city's biggest private hire firm will be able to change its meters and undercut its competitors by up to 30 per cent following the ruling by licensing chiefs.

It could open the floodgates if other firms, including black cab companies, follow suit.

Today critics branded it a "recipe for disaster" which could result in more than 800 different tariffs being charged in the city.

But the company in question, Edinburgh City Private Hire, said it hoped to provide a shot in the arm for the trade by "driving down fares".

Kevin Woodburn, a director of the firm and the chairman of the Edinburgh Private Hire Association, said he was glad the council had not listened to "scaremongering" from the black cab trade.

He said: "There's been quite a bit of spin put on what we're trying to achieve, but the public are not stupid and the choice will be theirs. We have different prices for different bus companies and for different airlines, so why not?

"We've felt for a long time that the fares in Edinburgh are excessive and would rather offer more value for money. There's a huge market for taxis in this city and this is only the tip of the iceberg.

"We want to be able to drive down the fares even further – that can only generate more work for the whole trade."

The company asked the council for permission to reset the tariff on the meters of its 450 vehicles to allow the company to offer a discount of up to 30 per cent.

The move raised objections from two black cab firms, Central Taxis and City Cabs, who argued the move would lead to "confusion" among passengers, but councillors yesterday gave the go-ahead on a trial basis.

While only Edinburgh City Private Hire have so far applied to be able to charge a lower tariff, other firms could now follow suit.

But a spokesman for the black cab trade said: "This is a recipe for disaster. It sounds farcical, but you could end up with over 800 tariffs in the private hire trade. Customers will automatically assume that someone somewhere down the line is ripping them off.

"I also feel sorry for all the hard-working men and women who work for this company who are going to see a 30 per cent pay reduction forced on them."

Taxi firms can already offer reductions to passengers at the end of the journey, but this is the first time a firm has been allowed to set their meters at a different rate.

Councillor Colin Keir, who chairs the council's regulatory committee, said the scheme was being considered a "test".

He said: "There were concerns about how this would work. We accepted the idea, but for a period of a year or less. If there are any problems, then we can bring it back to have a look at it.

"The big thing for us is clarity. If there is a mass of complaints, then we will have to look again."

Should private hire firms be allowed to set lower fares than black cab firms?

Sally Gray, 25, painter, Stockbridge: "Yes. I think competition is healthy."

Alexander Alexander, 81, retired postman, Calder Gardens: "If I was a taxi driver I would think it was unfair, but it'll suit me if it's cheaper."

Moray MacWhirter, 63, retired lawyer, Bruntsfield Place: "Yes, there should be competition and with black cabs this doesn't exist. I'd be for it."

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

This is already in the news section.

_________________
Grandad,

Didnt see it.....sorry for the duplicate and any distress caused

CC

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

Distress!!!! I am having to seek counciling after reading it in 2 different posts.

_________________
Grandad,

I'll contact my insurance company, I anticipate a personal injury claim looming

CC

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

Yeah, but it's in the right section now.

_________________
Kind regards,

Brummie Cabbie.

Type a message, post your news,
Disagree with other members' views;
But please, do have some decorum,
When debating on the TDO Forum.

Warning Of Taxi Wars After Fare Cut Ruling

11 October 2009

Edinburgh is bracing itself for taxi wars after private minicabs were given the right to charge lower fares than licensed black cab rivals.

The capital's biggest private hire firm, Edinburgh City Private Hire, will be able to undercut its council regulated competitors by up to 30 per cent following a ruling that will allow the company to reset the tariff on the meters of its 450 vehicles.

The move raised objections from two black cab firms, Central Taxis and City Cabs, which argued it would lead to "confusion" among the travelling public.

But the scheme has been given the go-ahead by city councillors on a trial basis.

Yesterday, the move was described as a "recipe for disaster" by the black cab trade.

A spokesman for the black cab drivers said: "It sounds farcical but you could end up with more than 800 tariffs in the private hire trade.

"Customers would automatically assume that someone somewhere down the line is ripping them off.

"I also feel sorry for all the hard-working men and women who work for this company who are going to see a 30 per cent pay reduction forced on them."

The decision is the first time that a firm has been allowed to set meters at a different rate, although taxi firms can already offer reductions at the end of a journey.

Kevin Woodburn, a director of Edinburgh City Private Hire and chairman of the Edinburgh Private Hire Association, said: "We have different prices for different bus companies and for different airlines, so why not?

"We've felt for a long time that the fares in Edinburgh are excessive and would rather offer more value for money.

"There's a huge market for taxis in this city and this is only the tip of the iceberg."

He added: "We want to be able to drive down the fares even further – that can only generate more work for the whole trade."

Source; ScotlandOnSunday.Scotsman.com

_________________
Kind regards,

Brummie Cabbie.

Type a message, post your news,
Disagree with other members' views;
But please, do have some decorum,
When debating on the TDO Forum.

And TDO's frontpage.

_________________
IDFIMH

Is Toots on page 3,???

Taken from TDO's page three. Admin software insists on clothes.

_________________
IDFIMH

No, but you are in the funnies

CC

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

Pmsl It's about time somebody had a go at somebody else apart from me

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

Looks like Tarzan's mate Jane, hanging by one arm off a tree whilst almost falling asleep.

_________________
Kind regards,

Brummie Cabbie.

Type a message, post your news,
Disagree with other members' views;
But please, do have some decorum,
When debating on the TDO Forum.

So is she not you're cuppa tea then Brummie

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

She's got no tits ..... she's got no hips ..... WTF is there to hold onto FFS!!!

_________________
Kind regards,

Brummie Cabbie.

Type a message, post your news,
Disagree with other members' views;
But please, do have some decorum,
When debating on the TDO Forum.