Taxi Driver Online

Cabbies claim that fees hike is un-fare


TAXI firms could be driven to the wall if running costs keep rising, a cabbiesʼ leader has claimed.

The warning came after cab drivers were hit with an increase in their licensing fees by East Staffordshire Borough Council (ESBC), a rise due to take effect on April 1.

Under the new charges, private hire bosses wanting to set up a new business will be asked to pay £178.50, up from £176 last year, while those wanting to renew their licenses will be asked to fork out £152, up from £150.

Meanwhile, existing private hire drivers will be expected to pay £94.30, up from the £93 they paid last year, and new drivers will be asked to hand over £120.60, up from £119.

East Staffordshire Taxi and Private Hire Association spokesman Byron Hurd said: “The trade is totally disgusted at the way the council has done this in the climate we’re in because we’re still in a recession and there’s very, very little trade about.

“I don’t know how they can justify putting things up when we can’t afford things ourselves in both private hire and Hackney carriage.

“I can’t see how they can justify this increase when they do not provide us with a service. They do not help us. All they do is want to take money off us but they don’t give us anything in return.


“All the different companies have to work independently when it comes to pricing. But in the present climate we can’t put our prices up because people haven’t got any money — we’re right in the middle of a recession — and if we do put our prices up, the trade isn’t about.

“It’s going to cause hardship all around. Some of the taxi firms could go out of business. The cost of diesel is going up, insurance costs are going up and now they’re putting their prices up when there is no trade about.”

A council spokesman said: “The council has, of course, taken into consideration the current economic climate, and this year’s increase of 1.4 per cent in the charge for Hackney carriage and private hire licensing is as minimal as it could be, and comes after the charge was frozen last year.

“With regards to the notification, the council is fully meeting its requirements by placing the public notice in the local press announcing the increase, and this is how we have always announced any changes.”

source: http://www.burtonmail.co.uk/

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

Hardly life threatening amounts at stake here..a £2.50 increase on £176.00.

If things are that tight down there that £2.50 is a make or break amount then its high time they left the trade..

Maybe.......but the badge renewal is £40 more expensive than here.

Not as expensive as Nidges manor though........but he's rich enough already

CC

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

That's councils for you!! No different here in Winchester as I have no doubt right across the land. Council here knows we are in catch 22 scenario with unmet demand survey which they know drivers can't afford and have never have had yet, nor do they intend to.
So anyone thinking about coming into the trade here.... forget it!!
We can't stop you, but you won't like it either...
Drivers and Hacks here.... P****d off, over saturated, in state of limbo and denial, everyone for themselves, defunct association which was a disaster from scratch, hoping that something might happen but never does or did......
How do I know? Tried to get drivers together last year to join a National org, get some representation and see if we could force the councils hand, handed out hundreds of leaflets.... only two turned up!!
What a bunch of W*****S good at complaining amongst themselves and they only have themselves to blame....
Only trouble is I know it was me who was a w****r to have at least tried

Council LUVS it!!

Rant over..... feel better now.... Put my rhino skin back on!!

Yer beginning to sound like me bud !!!

I must be getting too long in the tooth..... time to think of myself and keep myself to myself as far as the trade here is concerned.....
Only 8 annum to go......

Frustration is a powerful emotion and i know where you're coming from but, it seems to be every man for themselves out there...but when one of us is in danger or, in need of assistance, ain't it strange that we all rally together to lighten the burden,or ease the pain of the certain individual ??

Human nature my dear friend...who can explain it ??

Its the same in most areas.....but unless you get organised your going to get walked all over......if its any consulation, each area has at least one shining light.

CC

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

Only trouble is CC my light has been well and truly dimmed....

You want to be careful what you ask for because the first service that the council will provide will be vehicle inspections on a Saturday night and how much will that cost you?

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Grandad,

I wish that was the case here, but it's so divided to the point you have to look after number one....... sad but necessary

Hey steady on people might be reading. I don't want them to know about the off shore bank accounts.

Has any one on here done a FOI request to a council on here regarding said fees, and did it make interesting reading?

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now a licensed hackney driver

Did one a few weeks ago, I'm still waiting for it to come back.

They are always interesting reading. I suggest you do one. (send in a FoI request that is)

Knowledge is power, and your council wont like sending you the info, sadly for them the law says they must.

In the first instance they will try and bamboozle you, but send them a further request asking for clarification.

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IDFIMH