Tariff boards plea by taxi drivers Charnwood Borough Council says it will look into the proposals, but has made no commitment to the scheme, which the taxi trade believes is imperative
TAXi drivers in Loughborough are calling on the council to install tariff boards to curb drivers who overcharge customers and flout the law.
Charnwood Borough Council says it will look into the proposals, but has made no commitment to the scheme, which the taxi trade believes is imperative.
In December, council officers, posing as customers, carried out 13 test journeys with taxis in Loughborough to check that customers were being kept safe and not being overcharged.
As a result of the operation, two drivers are being investigated for refusing to take officers on a short journey and a third is being investigated for failing to switch on his meter.
Both are criminal offences and the drivers could be prosecuted.
Seven vehicles were also inspected – two were suspended from use after defects were found and one licensed driver failed to produce his driver badge.
John Wells, of Silverline Airport Taxis, of Loughborough, said: “There is a mounting concern over taxi drivers overcharging their customers.
“Because of this, we – the decent taxi drivers of Loughborough – have launched a campaign to have tariff price boards installed at each of the three ranks in town.
“We have launched an epetition as well as a paper petition for the public and taxi drivers to sign showing their support.
“These boards would contain price information from that rank to the centre of the listed destinations, as well as a customer complaints contact number.
“These boards would put a stop to overcharging as well as making drivers aware that the customer now knows how to make a complaint!
“The reason for the petition is because we asked for these boards years ago and we were turned down flat by the council, but with the support of the public behind us, we feel this time around we will be successful.
“The taxi industry in Charnwood pays £90,000 per year to the licensing department and in the past 20 years we have received just one £3,000 sign on Biggin street!
“So it seems a bit unfair that other sectors (buses) get rejuvenating upgrades on a regular basis, but we can’t even get something to protect the public.”
The epeititon can be found at
www.gopetition.com/petitions/the-campai ... ranks.html A Charnwood Borough Council spokesperson said: “We would like to thank taxi drivers for suggesting the introduction of tariff boards to help ensure residents get value for money when using Hackney cabs, we are always willing to hear new ideas about how we can enhance our service. We are looking into whether this proposal is feasible and will benefit customers.”
http://www.loughboroughecho.net/news/lo ... rs-8532799
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