Taxi Driver Online

Taxi drivers hit back at charge complaint

FLEETWOOD taxi firms have hit back at complaints over their fares. A town councillor called on drivers to stop charging extra at Christmas and New Year.

Coun Tom Dewhirst claimed there was no justification for it and the council is to look into the situation by getting more information from Wyre Council about tariffs.

But local taxi firms have said they already refuse to charge the full rates.

Coun Dewhirst said standing charges of £2 were added at the festive period on top of a higher tariff.

He said: "Taxi drivers would have you believe if they don't charge these they will lose their licences, but it's not so.

"During that period, petrol prices don't go up, beer prices don't go up, things in shops don't go up, newspapers don't go up – why do taxi drivers do this?"

The official £2 surcharge on Wyre Council tariffs applies from 6pm on December 24 to 7am on December 27 and between 6pm on December 31 and 7am on January 2.

Passengers also face a larger basic tariff at weekends, Bank Holidays and Christmas.

But John Hudson of the Fleetwood Cab Company said that while they used the higher tariff at Christmas, they applied a surcharge of only £1.40 and waived that for regular customers.

They refused to charge the higher tariff during the day at weekends.
He said: "Over the Christmas period it is reasonable for people to earn more but at weekends, no. Buses don't charge any more. The working week has changed. Long gone are the days where you worked Monday to Friday and weekends were for rest."

Ron Harper, who owns Fleetwood Taxis, runs the same lower tariffs as Fleetwood Cabs.

"It's extortionate," he said. "I think cabbies could put themselves out of business. Tom Dewhirst is right. I have said the same in the past."

Cabbie Roy Stephenson said: "For pensioners who use us regularly you always knock a bit off: you protect your regulars. Our best customers are older people who need a door-to-door service. They rely on us as much as we rely on them."

Another driver, Mike Deery said he didn't charge 20p for each extra passenger.

He said: "I think we are 10 to 15 per cent cheaper in Fleetwood than other areas. I think some of the council charges on Sunday are living in the past.

"I would freeze the tariffs now for the next three years.

"The problem is the recession – it's way too expensive for people."

source: http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/fleetwood-news/

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

Its to encourage people to work you f*cking d*ckhead.......the petrol may cost the same, the beer may cost the same.....but the person serving it doesnt!......double time, treble time, day in lieu?!

How do these idiots get elected?

CC

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

So every other section of society is allowed to earn double/treble on Xmas day, but the cab trade has to do with no extra.

Yet another brainless clueless f***wit councillor.

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IDFIMH

Yet another numpty councilor who doses not have a clue.Maybe we should get his email address and tell him to f of

I wonder how much more Coun Tom Dewhirst would get in extra allowances and expenses if he were to turn up for a council meeting on a Bank holiday..not that that would ever happen as councillors only sit on their fat arses at home at such times...the Gall of the man!!!!

Why not write to him and ask

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

I shouldn't think that pillock works the other 364 days of the year, let alone Xmas day.

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IDFIMH

I assume that fleetwood comes under wyre borough council. I have looked up the list of councilors on their website and this chap is not on it.

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Grandad,

I could not find a email address but got his address might just send him a letter a make a few points to him (the numpty) Thomas Michael Dewhirst (Pharos Parish Ward)
64 North Church Street
Fleetwood
FY7 6HN

I think the guy is a town councillor, allowances in the region of £3k?

TBH the local trade don't seem that bothered from the article so IMO feck em

CC

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