| Taxi Driver Online http://www.taxi-driver.co.uk/phpBB2/ |
|
| Naughty Bradford cabbies http://www.taxi-driver.co.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=2060 |
Page 1 of 2 |
| Author: | Sussex [ Wed Jun 08, 2005 4:16 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Naughty Bradford cabbies |
False fare crackdown Bradford Council have had a crackdown on hackney carriage drivers who overcharge customers. As a result of complaints from members of the public saying that hackney carriage drivers had failed to switch on the taximeter and had overcharged them the Hackney Carriage Unit carried out a series of test journeys on Tuesday May 31. This involved people getting into a hackney carriage from a rank and travelling to various destinations. Of the 15 sample journeys, five drivers failed to set the meter at the start of the journey and all five requested a fare that was more than the amount that should have been charged. All the drivers concerned have now had their licence(s) revoked. Members of the public should ensure that the meter is only switched on when they get into the vehicle. The face of the meter should show Tariff 1 if it is between 7am and 11pm Monday to Saturday or Tariff 2 if it is after 11pm and before 7am Monday to Saturday, all day Sunday, and Bank Holidays. Drivers are not allowed to charge extra for carrying luggage, shopping and wheelchairs. The only exception is, that £1 may be charged when members of the public phone for a hackney carriage. Coun Anne Hawkesworth, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for the Environment, said, “ I have received numerous complaints regarding hackney carriage licensees, some about overcharging, and I can assure members of the public that this is a situation that will not be tolerated. "Any substantiated complaint against a driver of overcharging or failing to set the meter will mean they have their licence(s) revoked”. Any complaints regarding hackney carriage or private hire should be forwarded to the Hackney Carriage Unit, Shearbridge Depot, Great Horton Road, Bradford, BD7 1PU. |
|
| Author: | Ollie [ Wed Jun 08, 2005 4:25 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Naughty Bradford cabbies |
Sussex wrote: False fare crackdown
Bradford Council have had a crackdown on hackney carriage drivers who overcharge customers. See GBC, just can't trust your brothers. 
At least we can't be accused of messing around with meters. We don't have them. 
|
|
| Author: | TDO [ Wed Jun 08, 2005 4:51 pm ] |
| Post subject: | |
Reminds me of what Mr Derek Cummins said in his infamous "It's that verification thing" piece, indeed the only substantive point that I didn't address in our 'Smear Campaign'response: [Derestiction means that] complaints by the public will rocket and that 'rip-offs' will soar. But isn't Bradford restricted? 
No doubt Mr Cummins would claim that they would soar from one in three 
|
|
| Author: | GBC [ Wed Jun 08, 2005 10:34 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Naughty Bradford cabbies |
Ollie wrote: Sussex wrote: False fare crackdown Bradford Council have had a crackdown on hackney carriage drivers who overcharge customers. See GBC, just can't trust your brothers. At least we can't be accused of messing around with meters. We don't have them. I would pass comment on the above, but I fear allegations of 'racism' would be made, so i'll remain silent and let people draw their own conclusions on the matter. Suffice to say however, its not a problem the London Taxi trade suffers from. |
|
| Author: | TDO [ Thu Jun 09, 2005 12:56 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Naughty Bradford cabbies |
greenbadgecabby wrote: I would pass comment on the above, but I fear allegations of 'racism' would be made, so i'll remain silent and let people draw their own conclusions on the matter.
Well it certainly hasn't stopped you in the past. 
So by innunedo you're saying that the overcharging is because the drivers are predominantly Asian in Bradford? Funny, but one of my first thoughts when reading the piece was that GBC would have something to say on the matter. |
|
| Author: | TDO [ Thu Jun 09, 2005 12:57 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Naughty Bradford cabbies |
greenbadgecabby wrote: Suffice to say however, its not a problem the London Taxi trade suffers from.
I wonder how the London trade compares with the Bradford trade when it comes to 'brooming'? |
|
| Author: | Sussex [ Thu Jun 09, 2005 7:15 am ] |
| Post subject: | |
I suspect the reason the lads were trying it on was because they have got away with it for so long. Also they have got to get their plate premiums from some mug. 
|
|
| Author: | tcabbie [ Thu Jun 09, 2005 10:10 am ] |
| Post subject: | |
We get the same problem in our area I think low flag falls and low waiting time dos'nt help. The drivers think that they should have more money for some jobs but do not badger the council enough for fare increases I agree with what GBC says |
|
| Author: | TDO [ Thu Jun 09, 2005 11:28 am ] |
| Post subject: | |
tcabbie wrote: I agree with what GBC says
Which bit, the innuendo or that it's not a problem that the London trade suffers? |
|
| Author: | JD [ Thu Jun 09, 2005 12:55 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Naughty Bradford cabbies |
Sussex wrote: False fare crackdown
Bradford Council have had a crackdown on hackney carriage drivers who overcharge customers. As a result of complaints from members of the public saying that hackney carriage drivers had failed to switch on the taximeter and had overcharged them the Hackney Carriage Unit carried out a series of test journeys on Tuesday May 31. This involved people getting into a hackney carriage from a rank and travelling to various destinations. Of the 15 sample journeys, five drivers failed to set the meter at the start of the journey and all five requested a fare that was more than the amount that should have been charged. The information doesn't state the background of the drivers involved but an educated guess would put Asian Hackney carriage licensed drivers high on the list for the simple reason they make up about 95% of licensed drivers. The complaints I've had in Manchester from disgruntled passengers who have been overcharged or who have been asked for an amount far greater than the normal fair, have mainly been against Asian Drivers. There seems to be a culture among the Asians that overcharging is an acceptable practice. It doesn't surprise me in the least that 33% of the 15 drivers tested were found to be ripping off punters. Asian drivers are not the only ones that rip punters off but certainly in this neck of the woods they are the most frequent. In countries such as Pakistan, Bangladesh etc the foreign office issues you with a health warning on safety and how to avoid the high level of corruption, crime and blatent ripping off. Some of the things the foreign office warn you about are.......... Armed robbery, pickpocketing and purse snatching are a threat, day or night, in areas frequented by foreigners. Thieves often work in pairs on motorcycles or 3-wheeled "baby taxis". Passengers using rickshaws and "baby taxis" are particularly vulnerable, the more so at night. You should try to avoid using such transport when travelling alone at any time. You should not wear jewellery in the street. Passengers sometimes face harassment at Bangladesh's international airports. There are regular reports of theft and harassment at Dhaka and Sylhet airports by corrupt officials and unlicensed touts. Beware of touts offering to carry your bags - many are thieves. Arrange pick-up transport in advance with your hotel/colleagues/friends. Unregulated taxis often overcharge and drivers have been known to rob passengers. Passport theft at Dhaka and Sylhet airports is common. Ensure your documents and any valuables are accounted for and secure before you leave the airport. The culture of corruption and overcharging is inherent and therefore it shouldn't surprise anyone that such a large number of Taxi drivers were cought overcharging in Bradford. It should be remembered that Bradford Taxi drivers tend to be of predominantly Asian origin so if you needed a comparison between other cultures you are going to have to undertake research which has so far never been contemplated. Regards JD |
|
| Author: | Sussex [ Thu Jun 09, 2005 5:13 pm ] |
| Post subject: | |
In my neck of the woods I would say that most complaints of overcharging are from customers against ethnic drivers. Now I'm not 100% sure if the punters are iffy about the drivers, or the drivers are themselves iffy, but the situation isn't getting any better. So well done to Bradford council for at least trying to solve the problem. Let's hope a few more councils run checks, then we will get a better overall picture. |
|
| Author: | GBC [ Thu Jun 09, 2005 10:48 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Naughty Bradford cabbies |
TDO wrote: Funny, but one of my first thoughts when reading the piece was that GBC would have something to say on the matter.
What, you mean like yourself? 
|
|
| Author: | GBC [ Thu Jun 09, 2005 10:49 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Naughty Bradford cabbies |
TDO wrote: greenbadgecabby wrote: Suffice to say however, its not a problem the London Taxi trade suffers from. I wonder how the London trade compares with the Bradford trade when it comes to 'brooming'? Broom Broom, Screeeech, roar ? |
|
| Author: | GBC [ Thu Jun 09, 2005 10:59 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Naughty Bradford cabbies |
TDO wrote: So by innunedo you're saying that the overcharging is because the drivers are predominantly Asian in Bradford?
Or, it could be said, as JD has put it, overcharging seems to be a big problem in Bradford, where a large majority of drivers are Asian. Sounds fairly factual to me, and not someones opinion? Yes? 
|
|
| Author: | GBC [ Thu Jun 09, 2005 11:02 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Naughty Bradford cabbies |
JD wrote: [b]Armed robbery, pickpocketing and purse snatching are a threat, day or night, in areas frequented by foreigners. Thieves often work in pairs on motorcycles or 3-wheeled "baby taxis". Passengers using rickshaws and "baby taxis" are particularly vulnerable, the more so at night. You should try to avoid using such transport when travelling alone at any time. You should not wear jewellery in the street.
Sounds like advice for visiting parts of South London, never mind abroad.
|
|
| Page 1 of 2 | All times are UTC [ DST ] |
| Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group http://www.phpbb.com/ |
|