Taxi fare cuts will not spark price war
Taxi bosses today denied a price war was set to break out after a Fylde coast cab firm lowered its starting fare.
As reported in the Gazette last week, C Cabs, which has a fleet of around 190 cars, slashed its opening price from £2.60 to £2.
Its director George Robinson said the decision had been taken by the company’s shareholders “due to the climate we live in”.
However, other firms say they will not be implementing similar fare reductions.
St Annes-based Whiteside Taxis currently operates with a starting fare of £2.
Its managing director, Daniel Whiteside, said: “We’ve been doing it for years so it’s about time other firms did it.
“They’re only following suit for what we’ve been doing for as long as I’ve ben doing it, which is around 20 years.”
C Cabs says it hopes drivers will receive more business to compensate for the lower fares.
Mr Whiteside added: “Our drivers are completely happy with the charge because we get more business as a result.”
Paul Hinton, director at Bispham-based Blacktax, said: “We lowered our fares about six years ago and we have to remain competitive in a tight market.”
Another Fylde coast driver, who did not want to be identified, said: “Our company is reluctant to do anything like that because you’re just getting into a taxi war.
“Don’t get me wrong, the customer benefits but the drivers are struggling to make a wage as it is.
“It’s not something I’d want us to get into at this stage anyway because there isn’t going to be a winner.”
http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/news/ ... -1-5629117