Taxi Driver Online

Cab bosses plea for taxi fare hike


TAXI-users across Nuneaton and Bedworth will soon find out if fares are to rise by ten per cent.

Members of Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council's licensing committee are to meet on Monday to decide whether to give the green light to a request to hike the charges.

Nuneaton and Bedworth Taxi Association made a request to the panel, asking for the rise, which is the first in two years.

In a letter to the panel, the association states that there has been extensive price increases on the commodities the trade is reliant on, such as insurance and vehicle maintenance.

It also says that firms have had to absorb two increases in the minimum wage since the last price rise.

"We would respectfully ask for an early response to our proposal thereby assisting in easing the financial burden that we are experiencing at this time," the letter concludes.

Following the request, a letter and questionnaire was sent to all 209 hackney carriage/private hire vehicle licence holders to gain their views.

There were 78 responses, 31 said they were not in favour of any increase, two were in favour of a rise but not ten per cent, and 45 were in favour of a ten per cent increase.

There were also letters supporting the ten per cent rise, and comments received from some of those not in favour of any increase.

These are included in the report for the licensing committee, which also includes comparisons to taxi fares in other authorities.

Currently in Nuneaton and Bedworth, the tariff for a one to two mile fare is £6.25, which is more expensive than nearby North Warwickshire, Coventry, Rugby, Hinckley and Stratford.

In Birmingham, the tariff for a one to two mile fare is £6.50, and the national average is £5.60.

Members of the committee, who are due to meet on Monday at 6pm, are being asked to decide whether to agree to the rise request.

It is understood that any variation to the fare scales has to be advertised and, if any objections are received, the committee must consider them. This could take two to three months.


Read more: http://www.nuneaton-news.co.uk/Cab-boss ... z38w9Kx4eL

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

Un-'fare' taxi price rise is rejected


AN UN-'FARE' rise in taxi prices across Nuneaton and Bedworth has been thrown out.

Members of Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council's licensing committee rejected a request from Nuneaton and Bedworth Taxi Association.

As featured in the News, cab bosses had appealed for the ten per cent rise, the first in two years.

But, if given the go-ahead, the fare increase would have made it the 11th most expensive in the country over a two mile journey.

In a letter, the association had stated that there has been extensive price increases on the commodities the trade is reliant on, such as insurance and vehicle maintenance.

It also said that firms have had to absorb two increases in the minimum wage since the last price rise.

"We would respectfully ask for an early response to our proposal thereby assisting in easing the financial burden that we are experiencing at this time," the letter concluded.

But, after what has been described as 'considerable deliberation,' members of the licensing committee rejected the plea at their meeting on Monday.

Councillor Bob Copland, chair of the licensing committee, explained: "We totally understand the cost of living pressures for everyone.

"But we currently rank at 63rd in the national fares table and would have become the 11th most expensive in the country over a two mile journey.

"This would not be suitable for local people when there has been little or no increase in earnings for anybody."

It is understood that a working group, made up of councillors, will be set-up to look at taxi prices.

As it is, a two mile taxi ride in the daytime in Nuneaton and Bedworth will remain at a maximum of £6.25.

It has been stressed that this price can be less depending on the taxi company.


Read more: http://www.nuneaton-news.co.uk/fare-tax ... z39awErjh8

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