Taxi Driver Online

Petrol prices hitting town taxi firms



A TAXI boss has warned that ‘unfair’ petrol prices are making Weston businesses less and less competitive.

A recent survey has shown that motorists in Weston and North Somerset are paying more per litre of unleaded fuel than those in neighbouring areas of the county.

According to petrolprices.com the cheapest cost for a litre of unleaded petrol across the region on March 3 was: Portishead - 139.9p, Nailsea - 139.9p, Weston - 137.7p, Yeovil - 136.9p, Taunton - 135.9, Frome - 135.9p and Bristol - 134.9p.

Wayne Michaels, manager of town centre-based Apple Central Taxis, feels the differences give some taxi firms an unfair advantage.

He said: “It’s definitely not fair that different neighbouring areas have got different prices

“Companies in neighbouring areas have got an unfair advantage. With the amount of miles our drivers do a week they are really feeling the pinch.

“We have to be competitive or we won’t have anyone using taxis.”

The company currently employs 146 drivers but Mr Michaels warned many drivers are quitting the occupation. He added: “I’ve noticed more drivers are looking to leave the industry over the last 12 months. They used to move from company to company, now they’re leaving it all together.“

Independent taxi driver Gary Ross, aged 51, said he ‘begrudged’ paying Weston prices and will often drive further out to save on fuel costs.

He said: “In some of the outlying garages there’s only a penny less in it but it’s often worth it because of how much you save over the year.

“It’s getting more and more expensive but I’ve got to have it for work so you look at it and see how expensive it is but you’ve got to just put it in.”

Mr Ross, who spends around £100 a week on petrol, believes the rising expenses are forcing many into working longer hours.

He added: “I started work at 7.50am today and I won’t go home until after 8pm. I won’t find a taxi driver in Weston who works a 37-hour week. Everyone’s doing 50 or 60 hours.”

The figures were unearthed by North Somerset councillor Mike Bell, who says he is trying to take action to protect Westonians from the price of fuel.

The Liberal Democrat group leader said: “In areas like ours, a car is often not a luxury; it is a necessity of life. Fuel costs are a major issue for families and I am pushing hard to try to make the Government act.

“The Government has made some welcome moves. For example, the Chancellor did axe the previous Government’s planned rises last year.

“However, there is still more it needs to do to help hard-pressed businesses and families in North Somerset.

“In particular, we need to look at why North Somerset residents and businesses are facing higher fuel prices than many areas.

“Any extra cost at this time is something they cannot afford.”

http://www.thewestonmercury.co.uk/news/ ... _1_1968862

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

weston-bristol 7 passengers 7x£17.50 = £120

24 mile each way, how many hours waiting? (dunno) but even if it was 4 hours (though it neednt actually wait) thats £60 one way/21 miles(£2.50 plm)..........and hes moaning about a few pence per ltr?

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Of all the things ive lost, i miss my mind the most

same here

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Of all the things ive lost, i miss my mind the most

Cheapest petrol here is £1.39 diesel £1.45.9 sounds like they ain't doing too bad down there I think this is more of a publicity stunt than an actual story. Easy way to get your business name checked have a good moan to the local rag and see if they will print the story

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lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector

16p a gallon betwean them are they making this up how will 16p make much diference i idea why no drop radio charge down to ofset.