Taxis accused of snow fare rip-off
http://www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/4844 ... e_rip_off/
TAXI companies have defended their actions in doubling fares because of the bad weather.
One customer was left angry after having to pay £15 to travel from Wivenhoe to Greenstead on Saturday.
The man, who asked not to be named, said: “Some taxi companies are charging double fare because of the snow. It is a complete rip off.
“I don’t see how they can get away with it.”
The fare usually costs £7.50 from cab company Hawaii 5-0 taxis.
Owner Christie Wettasinghe said his drivers had been changing their fares depending on the severity of the weather, initially adding £1 on to a fare and going up to double fare on Saturday night when the snow was at its deepest.
He said many of his drivers had chosen to stay off work rather than risk the roads.
He said: “It is very dangerous out there. I have been driving taxis in Colchester since the early 1970s and this is the longest period of bad weather we have had.
“There is a big risk to drivers’ vehicles and it is taking them more than twice as long to do a journey.
“I have respect for my drivers. They are out there every day and night on the roads taking people from A to B, while a lot of school teachers are just sitting at home.”
PDQ taxis have been increasing fares to time and a half during the snowy periods. Russell Page, taxi controller for PDQ taxis, said: “Some people are happy to pay extra for that, but you do get the occasional customer who moans about it.”
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