Taxi Driver Online

Always a few fairly standard local articles about fare rises that aren't really worth posting, but this one's such heavy going I actually burst out laughing while reading it, so thought it worth sharing

Pay attention, there will be questions afterwards


Taxi fares set to rise as operators say they are facing increased costs

http://www.greenocktelegraph.co.uk/news ... sed-costs/

TAXI fares are set to rise as operators say they are facing increased fuel, maintenance and living costs.

Inverclyde Council have started a public consultation on proposed changes to fares as part of an annual review of tariffs.

The proposals have been brought forward by Inverclyde Taxis, ABC Taxis (Inverclyde) and the Operators Liaison Group, who argue that charges must go up to ensure that drivers sustain a living wage.

They also argue that there has been a significant increases in the cost of taxi insurance, licensing fees and jumps in both fuel and vehicle maintenance costs.

Under the plans, people who hire a taxi from a rank or flag one down between 6am and 11pm (tariff one) would see the initial charge of £2.50 begin over a shorter distance - at 916 yards as opposed to the current 944 yards.

The subsequent fee would remain at 10p - but for every 98 yards instead of the current 101 yards.

This means that the approximate cost for the first mile would be £3.40 as opposed to the current £3.30 while the approximate cost for each additional mile would remain at £1.80.

On tariff two - hirings from taxi ranks or from those flagging down taxis between 11pm and 6am and all pre-booked hirings between 6am and 10pm - the initial charge of £2.60 would also begin over a shorter distance - at 889 yards as opposed to the current 916 yards.

The subsequent fee would remain at 10p - but for every 95 yards instead of the current 98 yards.

The approximate cost for the first mile would remain at £3.50 but the cost for each additional mile would be about £1.90 instead of the current £1.80 charge.

On tariff three - pre-booked hirings between 10pm and 6am and hirings from ranks or 'flag' hirings on Easter Holiday, May Day, Fair Saturday and Autumn Holiday - the initial charge of £2.80 would begin at 889 yards instead of the current 916 yards.

The subsequent fee would remain at 10p - but for every 83 yards instead of 86 yards.

So the cost for the first mile would be around £3.90 instead of £3.80 and the cost for each additional mile would be about £2.20 instead of £2.00.

Meanwhile, on tariff four - pre-booked hirings and hirings from ranks or flag hirings on 25 and 26 December and 1 and 2 January - the initial charge for the first mile would remain at £5.10.

The subsequent fee would remain at 10p - but for 83 yards instead of the current 86 yards.

And the cost for each additional mile would be £2.20 instead of £2.00.

Inverclyde Council is carrying out a consultation on the proposed changes to taxi fares as part of its annual review of tariffs.

Councillor Gerry Dorrian, who is the chair of the General Purposes Board, said: “The clear message we are getting from taxi firms is they are facing increased running and living costs since the last fare increase in November last year.

“Fuel costs are on the rise and all operators are keen to ensure they can sustain a living wage and attract new drivers.”

The board have agreed to accept the proposals put forward by the taxi trade.

Anyone wishing to comment on them can write to the Head of Legal & Property Services by Saturday September 15.

A report will go back to the board in October with the outcome of the consultation and a decision will be made.

They will be reaping the rewards up there.

If they don't starve first.

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IDFIMH