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Carlisle taxi fares claim over under-inflated tyres
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Author:  captain cab [ Fri Sep 14, 2012 5:17 pm ]
Post subject:  Carlisle taxi fares claim over under-inflated tyres
Carlisle taxi fares claim over under-inflated tyres


Some taxi drivers in Carlisle could be overcharging passengers by deliberately under-inflating tyres to fool the meter, a city councillor has claimed.

The suggestion has been rejected by the Carlisle Taxi Association, which says tyre pressures have very little effect on the fare.

The allegation came from David Morton, a Conservative councillor for Belah and a retired police officer.

He told the regulatory panel this week: “As a regular user it amazes me that you can get a variety of taxis from the same venue, at the same time of day, to the same destination, and the price can vary by as much as 90p.

“There’s a fault somewhere in the metering system – or it could be tyre pressures.

“If tyres are over-inflated, the driver gets less money but if the tyres are under-inflated, they gain. I want the council to look at that. People are paying through the nose on some journeys.”

Licensing officer Barry Sharrock promised that mechanics would check tyre pressures when taxis came in for routine inspections every four months.

But Wayne Casey, chairman of Carlisle Taxi Association, believes there is another explanation for the variation in fares for identical journeys.

He said: “When a taxi is standing in traffic or travelling below 2mph, it clocks up waiting time at 20p for every 51 seconds. So traffic conditions will affect the fare. I’ve never heard of anyone under-inflating tyres. If you did that you would increase tyre wear and given the price of tyres that wouldn’t make sense.”

Mark Aldersey, of Infirmary Street Garage, who maintains taxis, said: “The idea is rubbish. The effect that a change in tyre pressure would have on the meter is minute.”

The regulatory panel meeting on Wednesday agreed to freeze taxi fares for at least a year.

The council reviews the level of fares every autumn.

Last year councillors approved an increase of 20p in the flagfall – which applies to the first 0.7 miles of each journey – adding 4.1 per cent to the cost of a two-mile trip.

This time licensing officer Sue Stashkiw recommended there was no increase, largely because fuel costs have fallen, offsetting increases in insurance and maintenance.

Overall, taxi drivers’ costs were almost unchanged.

She said: “In view of the small, 0.02 per cent rise in the retail price index for transport costs, members are recommended not to approve an increase in the hackney carriage tariff for the next 12 months.”

The tariff will be reviewed again in September 2013 where the RPI will be calculated over two years.

Taxi fares in Carlisle used to be the second highest in Cumbria.

However, increases elsewhere mean they are now close to the average.

A typical two-mile journey costs £5.30 in Carlisle, compared to £6 in South Lakeland, £5.50 in Eden and £5.40 in Barrow. I Allerdale it would cost £4.85 and £4.60 in Copeland.

http://www.in-cumbria.com/carlisle-taxi ... ws-archive
http://www.in-cumbria.com/carlisle-taxi ... ws-archive
Author:  sasha [ Fri Sep 14, 2012 6:14 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Carlisle taxi fares claim over under-inflated tyres
Another bunch of ignorant idiots, you'd expect more from a retired copper and councillor (well maybe not).

How much would you have to under-inflate a tyre to have any significant effect on the meter, if it was 2cm less diameter how much extra distance would it record over a mile ?
And over what distance is the variance of 90p, if it was a £4 fare then fair enough but on a £20 journey it's feck all.

And as for not recommending a fare increase because fuel costs have fallen :x :x !!!
Author:  bloodnock [ Fri Sep 14, 2012 6:20 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Carlisle taxi fares claim over under-inflated tyres
sasha wrote:
Another bunch of ignorant idiots, you'd expect more from a retired copper and councillor (well maybe not).

How much would you have to under-inflate a tyre to have any significant effect on the meter, if it was 2cm less diameter how much extra distance would it record over a mile ?
And over what distance is the variance of 90p, if it was a £4 fare then fair enough but on a £20 journey it's feck all.

And as for not recommending a fare increase because fuel costs have fallen :x :x !!!


Natural tyre tread wear would throw up a bigger discrepancy...or using the wrong sized profile of tyre.
Author:  gusmac [ Fri Sep 14, 2012 8:57 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Carlisle taxi fares claim over under-inflated tyres
Quote:
David Morton, a Conservative councillor


Who is this knob?
Author:  captain cab [ Fri Sep 14, 2012 9:00 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Carlisle taxi fares claim over under-inflated tyres
Slow news day in Carlisle.....I got a phone call from the councillor today - the quote taken was part of a general conversation about taxi fares and what the councillor had read (I think) in the press.
Author:  Sussex [ Fri Sep 14, 2012 11:15 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Carlisle taxi fares claim over under-inflated tyres
captain cab wrote:
Some taxi drivers in Carlisle could be overcharging passengers by deliberately under-inflating tyres to fool the meter, a city councillor has claimed.

Thick as pigs sh**. ](*,)
Author:  Nidge2 [ Sat Sep 15, 2012 7:18 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Carlisle taxi fares claim over under-inflated tyres
gusmac wrote:
Quote:
David Morton, a Conservative councillor


Who is this knob?



The last two words say it all for me.
Author:  grandad [ Sat Sep 15, 2012 9:17 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Carlisle taxi fares claim over under-inflated tyres
captain cab wrote:
retired police officer.


I think these 3 words say a lot more.
Author:  Nidge2 [ Sun Sep 16, 2012 9:08 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Carlisle taxi fares claim over under-inflated tyres
grandad wrote:
captain cab wrote:
retired police officer.


I think these 3 words say a lot more.



On a big pension from the Police Force currently working for the Council on another final salary pension. Our LO is the same ex traffic cop who finished on a big pension plus he's on a final salary pension from the Council.
Author:  trotskys twin [ Mon Sep 17, 2012 10:30 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Carlisle taxi fares claim over under-inflated tyres
grandad wrote:
captain cab wrote:
retired police officer.


I think these 3 words say a lot more.


And Conservative Councillor = C++t???????????? :D
Author:  wee eddie [ Mon Sep 17, 2012 12:50 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Carlisle taxi fares claim over under-inflated tyres
Under inflated Tyres and your Meter.

Your Meter records the number of Rotations of your wheel.

The circumference of the wheel is unaffected by the Air Pressure within the Tyre. Tyres are not made of the same material as balloons!
Author:  Chris the Fish [ Mon Sep 17, 2012 1:08 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Carlisle taxi fares claim over under-inflated tyres
wee eddie wrote:
Under inflated Tyres and your Meter.

Your Meter records the number of Rotations of your wheel.

The circumference of the wheel is unaffected by the Air Pressure within the Tyre. Tyres are not made of the same material as balloons!

Beg to differ - the PSI does change the circumference.

But to "Make Money" by running a little low on the PSI would cost more in tyres than the tiny amount you may take from customers.

With the price of fuel you would probably make more by slight over-inflation giving more MPG - this would result in very slightly undercharging passengers and slightly increasing Tyre wear.

All in all, a feed of chutney - correct tyre pressures are best.
Author:  wannabeeahack [ Mon Sep 17, 2012 2:59 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Carlisle taxi fares claim over under-inflated tyres
the faster wear on under inflated tyres would far exceed any minor increase in the fares....
Author:  wee eddie [ Mon Sep 17, 2012 3:13 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Carlisle taxi fares claim over under-inflated tyres
Sorry Chris, but the circumference of the Tyre remains unchanged, regardless of the pressure within it, and therefore the number of times the wheel rotates for any given distance.

It may be possible to increase the circumference of a Tyre by grossly over-inflating it, but only by a millimetre or so.
Author:  Brummie Cabbie [ Mon Sep 17, 2012 6:10 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Carlisle taxi fares claim over under-inflated tyres
Now we all know why your gearbox is permanently knackered, Captain!

Your tyres must be that low that the gearbox is being dragged along the road.
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