Seems Nottingham HC drivers were also at it during the snow last month
Teacher left stranded in the snow because Hackney cabs would not turn on their meterShe is calling on the taxi drivers she encountered to operate "honestly"https://www.nottinghampost.com/news/loc ... se-1402122A primary school teacher said she hailed down at least five green Hackney cabs after a hen party - but they all refused to switch on their meter.
Natalie Woolley, 27, from Beechdale, said she was left freezing as some cab drivers refused to switch on the meter to take her half a mile from Burton Street to Derby Road in the snow.
By law, Hackney cabs must switch on their meter when carrying out jobs in the city. They can only negotiate fares when they are taking customers outside the city boundary.
She described the situation as "a nightmare" and is calling for the taxi drivers she encountered to operate "honestly" after she was left stranded for more than 30 minutes on St Patrick’s Day (March 17).
She told the Post: "I had been out drinking in the day for my mate’s hen do but it got cut short because of the snow. Some of my friends and family were in town. I was at The Cornerhouse and wanted to go to the Raglan Road Irish Bar.
"There were very few taxis, but I have always been told to use the green taxis. I hailed one down and they said it would be £10. I said 'it is just around the corner, can you put it on the meter?' But they said 'someone else can take you'
"I hailed another green cab and they said the same and they would not use the meter. I was there from 9pm to about 9.35pm and I could not get one. I must have flagged five green ones and they all said the same.
"It was just a nightmare. I was on the verge of crying. I would like taxis to be honest and put the meter on. It is crazy that they want to try and get as much out of you as possible."
Luckily, a friend was on hand and the pair managed to get back to Beechdale in a cab she had booked.
On March 20 the Post reported how private hire vehicles were charging up to £90 for relatively short journeys during one snowy weekend as well as plying for hire on the city streets.
A Nottingham City Council spokesman said: "We have had some complaints about private hire and hackneys, but no-one could give us any details of the driver or vehicle, and so no action can be taken.
"If a journey goes outside of the city boundary, then by law hackney cabs can negotiate the fare. If it’s within the city then it has to be on the meter.
"We would recommend passengers use the new mytaxi app as it’s always on the meter - and you have a record of the driver, journey and cost.
"And if you do have a complaint about a taxi service, should take a note of the taxi licence number and report it to
taxi.licensing@nottinghamcity.gov.uk."
Wasim Amin, chairman of Nottingham Licensed Taxi Owners and Drivers Association (NLTODA), said: It was a very busy day on Saturday due to St Patrick’s celebration day.
"It was extremely bad weather conditions with heavy snow which most taxi drivers went home early due to their own safety concerns.
"Yes indeed if those drivers were over charging on this particular day from the traveling public of fare prices these drivers grossly need to be investigated and disciplined by Nottingham City Council’s Licensing Department.
"It’s unfair and completely wrong for the passengers traveling in taxis. Having said that if the council allowed time and half or double time for extreme weather conditions it would stop abuse of fares and compensate the driver’s risk. We don’t condone these high £90 prices.
"But we do need more consultation on this with Nottingham City Council to fix a extreme weather conditions price fix for the risk and safety concerns of the taxi drivers. The public should be aware we the green cabs haven’t had a fare increase in seven years."
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