Taxi Driver Online

Cabbies’ anger at fares rise

Published on 22/06/2006

http://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/viewa ... ?id=381407

By Julian Whittle

TAXI FARES in Carlisle are going up – although not by as much as expected.

City councillors meeting yesterday refused Carlisle Taxi Association’s request for an 8.5 per cent rise but agreed to a five per cent increase.

Sam Salkeld, the association’s chairman, expressed disappointment and warned that rising costs could force some drivers off the road.

He said afterwards: “That’s a possibility. Five per cent doesn’t cover our overheads considering that it’s 18 months since the last increase.”

Details of how the increase will be implemented have still to be decided.

But it is expected that the minimum fare, for journeys up to 1,423 yards, will rise from £2.10 to £2.20.

It is likely that passengers will then pay 20p for each 193 yards after that.

A one-mile journey will go up from £2.50 to £2.60 and a three-mile trip from £5.90 to £6.20.

Waiting charges will also rise. Passengers currently pay 20p for each 55.5 seconds of waiting time. After the increase, 20p is likely to buy 52.7 seconds.

Mr Salkeld told councillors that fuel, maintenance and insurance costs had rocketed since fares last went up in December 2004.

He showed them a News & Star photograph from January 2005 showing a garage advertising diesel at 83.9p a litre.

The same garage was now charging 96.9p a litre.

Mr Salkeld said: “By my reckoning that is a 16 per cent increase.”

Licensing officer Barry Sharrock said that travel costs generally had risen by 3.3 per cent since the end of 2004.

Vehicle maintenance costs had gone up by 9.6 per cent and fuel by 10.7 per cent, although insurance charges had fallen by 0.3 per cent.

Councillors debated the increase in private before chairman David Morton announced the decision.

He said: “We’ve had a long and detailed discussion and a considerable variety of views were expressed.

“The outcome is the panel have agreed to an increase, but of five per cent.”

The new fares will apply from July 17 as long as there are no objections.

Should anyone object the panel will delay the increase until after it hears the objection on August 9.

JWhittle@cngroup.co.uk

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Taxi Driver Online
www.taxi-driver.co.uk

Wonder why Captain Cab wasn't on hand to provide a quote?

Must be on the golf course.

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Taxi Driver Online
www.taxi-driver.co.uk

I'm all for drivers getting a resonable increase, but it's worth noting fuel could double in price, but only need a 10% increase in overall fares to cover it.

People should just refer to the AA stats, which independantly give the actual increase in motoring costs.

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IDFIMH

You can charge what you like but if no one is getting your taxi I fail to see the point of any increase?

Edinburgh has seen well over a 30% tariff increase in the last 5 years and now has less work than ever. The public either don't use taxis anymore or look for a cheaper alternative.

I've yet to see a tariff increase that's made any difference in the right direction The last thing Edinburgh needed was a tariff rise on top of a smoking ban

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All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others.
George Orwell, "Animal Farm"

Is the answer a bowl of rice?





Had one of the best June's for sometime, I still think the economy is in some difficulty at the moment so things will be a bit up and down for some time to come. On the other hand a lazy "[edited by admin]" like you who would rather whine than work will struggle for a probably longer than that.

Well that's strange Jackcab you seem to be in the minority of two (you and Ross) The guys I speak to can't word anymore hours especially during the week but you can have it anyway you like.

As for being a lazy "[edited by admin]" I spend my time more productively away from the treadmill. You see Jackcab you need it more than me and that's why you need to believe everything is rosy in the garden.

Your plate values won't last and neither will the scarcity value in rentals everything is coming to an end and sooner rather than later.

Enjoy it while it lasts little man

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All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others.
George Orwell, "Animal Farm"

BTW Jack I had one of your CRT men on the phone last night. He's doing so well when he comes back from holiday the plate is going on the market.

A little problem of too many hours and not seeing his wife and family. It appears 5-6 nights a week making a fortune does not agree with his wife, she wants him to cash-up and go back to his trade or rent the taxi out. He on the other hand does not want to lose the opportunity of punting the plate to some Muppet for 40k.


His reason for calling had nothing to do with the state of the trade he was trying to find out about the court cases and when there would be a final ruling.

He would rather punt before and not after.

I wonder why?:wink:

Maybe I should put him in touch with you and you can tell him where he is going wrong Jack

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All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others.
George Orwell, "Animal Farm"

fuel had risen 16.5% since the last increase.

Captain Cab

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

http://cmis.carlisle.gov.uk/CMISWebPubl ... mittee=152

not apparently as rebuffed as some would think

(minutes 9/8/6 meeting)

CC

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