Taxi Driver Online

Increase in fares for Three Rivers taxis approved by Three Rivers District Council


Councillors have approved a 10p increase in the basic fare for taxis operating in Three Rivers.

The increase relates to all 10 Hackney Carriages registered to work in the district but does not apply to private hire cars.

An application by South Oxhey Radio Taxis (SORT) to increase the start fare from £2.70 to £2.90 was turned down by members of Three Rivers District Council's Regulatory Services Committee on Wednesday night (June 5).

However, the lesser increase was agreed between councillors as well as an extension of the night time charging hours from 5am to 6am.

SORT says the increased fare is necessary due to the increase in fuel costs, taxi insurance and the cost of purchasing new vehicles since fares were last set in 2011.

The company identifies a 5.3 per cent increase in fuel costs, a 33 per cent increase in insurance and a nine per cent increase in new vehicle cost.

A report by council officers attacked the figures produced by SORT as "not a broad reflection of costs" and recommended an overall refusal.

A SORT representative said: "I feel like a Chinese man up against a tank in Tiananmen Square, I cannot see the council voting against their own man.

"10 to 12 years ago we were on a par with Watford but not anymore.

"We feel we are being unjustly held back."

Councillor Martin Trevett said: "We do not always accept the officers' recommendations and we will discuss it in the proper organised way."

SORT has an office outside Carpenders Park station but represents Hackney Carriage drivers who are licensed to pick up passengers anywhere in the borough.

The group successfully secured a basic fare increase in October 2011.

Councillor Chris Hayward said: "I have no problem challenging the officers of this council however, I think we also have to be fair and when they produce a report worthy of support we should support it.

"Times are hard, we are in a recession, and some of the people hit hardest are those on low income and a lot of these do reside in South Oxhey."

Councillor Len Tippen added: "We do live in a competitive world and I struggle with the fact that one firm in one district cannot compete with another in another district."

After approving to 10p increase councillors passed a motion preventing a further review of charges for the next two years except in special circumstances.

http://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/news/1 ... _approved/

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

Having to go through all that for 10p for 10 cabs.

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IDFIMH

I thought that

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

I am tempted to think that they may be "Fettering" but any circumstance could be a "special circumstance" I suppose.

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Chris The Fish

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gdlyi5mc ... re=related

If they don't increase the poll tax, or their expenses, or license fees, then maybe it's justified.

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IDFIMH

If fuel, insurance, road tax, tyre prices, servicing charges, driver badge fees, vehicle plate fees, cost of living and....... don't go up, fair enough. Nobody should have a two year embargo, ever.

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Chris The Fish

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gdlyi5mc ... re=related

We're into our 3rd year.

You may be in a third year of "No Change" in your Tariff, but I would bet that you have not been barred from asking. That is the difference.

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Chris The Fish

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gdlyi5mc ... re=related

I wouldn't go that far no.

I notice they didn't agree to raise PH fares....maybe because they can't! Has anyone told the council that?