Taxi Driver Online

Blaenau Gwent taxi drivers’ plea for fare hike


TAXI drivers in Blaenau Gwent want to increase their taxi fares because of the pressure of rising fuel costs.

A petition, signed by about 20 drivers, was initially handed into Blaenau Gwent Council asking to increase the tariff rate from £2.60 to £3.

Taxi driver Peter Lynch, from Ebbw Vale, said a new petition has now been submitted to the council requesting that the rate be increased from £2.60 to £2.80 for the first mile and that each further mile then increases from £1.20 to £1.50.

Current fares in Blaeanu Gwent have not increased since October 2007 despite the increase in fuel costs.

Many drivers said the current fares do not reflect these increases.

Mr Lynch, 37, said: “We can’t keep running at three-year-old prices forever and things are only going to keep going up.”

“What people forget is that it’s not just the price of fuel which is increasing. It’s our maintenance costs as well. Garages have had to put their prices up. Tyres and other parts have gone up and insurance and car tax,” he said.

Mr Lynch, who has been a taxi driver for nine years, said taxi drivers have seen their takings go down and that some drivers have had to look for other jobs.

“Taxis are a luxury for the people who are using them. Whereas before, people used to just jump in, now they’re penny watching and will prefer to catch a bus or walk.”

John Callaghan, 60, has been a taxi driver for eight years.

He said: “My insurance went up £400 this year. On top of this, petrol and diesel is increasing as well as the costs of maintenance.”

Mr Callaghan said he had three jobs in two hours on Thursday which only made £2.60 per job.

“The cold weather helps but most people are choosing to walk.”

Wayne Boulter has been a taxi driver in Ebbw Vale for the last 20 years.

He said: “We’ve had a massive increase in fuel costs that’s been astronomical. It’s unbelievable. My insurance premiums have gone through the roof. It went up £100 last year. It’s not easy.”

The proposal will be discussed by the council’s licensing committee on Tuesday.

If the committee agrees to the increase and no objections are received, the increase will take effect from February 14.

But if the committee does not agree and/or objections are received, the matter will be referred to the committee again on March 1 for further consideration.

source: http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/

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