Taxi Driver Online

City councillors have backed proposals to raise taxi fares in Carlisle.

The minimum fare or ‘flagfall’ is set to rise by 20p from £2.30 to £2.50 in October.

A typical two-mile journey, which now costs £4.90, will rise by 4.1 per cent to £5.10, making Carlisle fares the highest in Cumbria.

An equivalent two-mile taxi ride costs £5 in South Lakeland, £4.94 in Eden, £4.85 in Allerdale, £4.60 in Barrow and £4.30 in Copeland.

Licensing officer Barry Sharrock told the council’s regulatory panel: “Carlisle’s fares are the highest in the county but you would expect that because we have imposed higher standards.

“Half our taxis are wheelchair compatible, for example, and drivers here have to cope with more congestion.

“It’s not unreasonable for Carlisle’s fares to be higher than Barrow or Copeland.”

Taxi fares in Carlisle last went up in 2008.

Councillors decided against any increase last year because the retail price index for transport had fallen by 1.17 per cent over the previous 12 months.

Since then, Mr Sharrock said, transport costs have risen by 4.64 per cent.

He added: “The taxi association have canvassed their members and they are reasonably happy with the proposed increase.

“It helps with shorter journeys but doesn’t hammer long-distance fares to Longtown or Brampton.”

Councillor David Morton, who chairs the panel, said: “A 20p increase after two years is perfectly reasonable, given the economic situation.”

The new fares will apply from October 6 unless someone registers an objection.

If there are objections, the panel will consider them on October 13 before implementing any fare increase on October 18.

The panel has also dropped a requirement that all taxis must have an engine size of at least 1,600cc.

In future, there will be no minimum as long as the engine produces at least 90 brake horse power (bhp).

Mr Sharrock said: “The 1,600cc minimum was introduced in 1994 when a typical 1,600cc engine produced in the region of 90bhp.

“Some 16 years later this can be achieved by most 1,500cc diesel engines and some 1,400cc petrol engines.

“A smaller engine produces fewer pollutants and uses less fuel. There are environmental benefits.”

http://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/carli ... rPath=home

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

Greedy sods, but I suppose CC has to pay for a new gearbox some how

I don't think it's greedy. Taxi drivers are not a charity they're a business and they're in it to make money

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

It'll take a lot of 20p's to pay for a gearbox ffs

CC

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

Every little helps.

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Grandad,

coff

CC

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

You can smile all you want, but unless the waiting time has also gone up, you're wasting your time.

What is your current waiting time rate & what will it be after the rise? Also the same question on the running mile?

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Kind regards,

Brummie Cabbie.

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