Taxi Driver Online

Slightly overblown headline by the Scottish Sun here. On the other hand, the word 'huge' refers to the 'price shakeup' rather than the actual rises

However, the first line of the actual article is deffo a bit overblown.


NOT FARE Taxi users set for huge price shakeup in Scots city in weeks as airport fares could also increase

https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/money/ ... igh-weeks/

The exact date the changes will kick in has been revealed

A MASSIVE increase in taxi fares has been agreed for Scotland's capital.

Edinburgh City Council has agreed new maximum taxi meter rates which will see fares rise by 9.5 per cent from next month.

The local authority has also increased the maximum cost for people being picked up and dropped off at Edinburgh Airport, with the cap now rising to £6.

The changes are set to kick in from Monday, December 9, and will see the average three-mile trip in the city between 6am and 6pm during the week rise from £10.50 to £11.50.

While the average three-mile journey between 6pm and 6am on a weekday, or any time over the weekend, would cost £12.82 instead of £11.70.

The charges will be imposed unless the operator decides not to charge customers the new maximum fare allowed, according to The Scotsman.

The hike comes after taxi drivers warned that it could be the “final nail in the coffin” for the Hackney trade and drive the black cabs "off the road".

Councillor Neil Ross also revealed that the increase "may seem like a lot", but argued that multiple factors were taken into account such as higher costs to operators of maintaining and replacing vehicles.

He said: “I appreciate that a 9.5 per cent increase may seem like a lot in these relatively low-inflation times.

"Nevertheless, given the task set out for us by the regulations around this, we ought and are reflecting increased costs for the trade and we’re also taking into account the increase and very substantial cost of replacement vehicles – particularly replacement electric vehicles, which is what we would like to see.

"As we know this is a maximum set of charges, and charges below that are perfectly legal.”

A council document stated that the new rates are "the maximum that may be charged", adding that "a lower amount may be charged at the discretion of any person providing a taxi service."

The report went on to say that this was "relevant to considering any representations to the effect that the proposed tariffs would result in operators providing a service which is too expensive for the market to sustain”.

According to The Scotsman, the local authority received 52 responses about the price hike as part of a consultation, with around 25 per cent of those backing the changes.

However, 69 per cent of people said they were against the proposals, with a small number of people suggesting an increase of less than 9.5 per cent.

Some of the comments from responders against the changes said it would be a "mistake", with others calling it “taxi suicide for the trade”.

One taxi driver added: "The taxi is already expensive and is affecting the trade and also the competition from Uber who are offering ridiculous fares, so in my opinion, it won’t be welcomed by the costumers which will damage the trade.”

However, those who supported the price hikes said it would be "very well deserved due to high vehicle and insurance prices”.

The document said: “Having reviewed the responses the directorate is of the view that there is insufficient material therein to justify not implementing the increased fares as recommended.

"Therefore, it is recommended that the proposed taxi tariff is agreed and implemented without any further changes.”

Locals have taken to social media to share their frustrations after news of the price hikes was announced.

Commenting on the situation on Facebook, one person said: "It's already enough that’s why I airport bus it!"

Another added: "Uber will be busy".

Someone else wrote: "Airports are out of order, just taking advantage".

While a fourth posted: "Rip off".

And a fifth chimed in: "Bus is the best option for airport".

Others jumped in to defend taxi drivers, with one user saying: "The taxi trade don’t want it."

A spokesperson for Edinburgh Airport said: “No decision has been made on any changes to our pricing at the airport."

Not keen on this kind of thing at all. If there's scope for discounting, maybe it means the rise isn't warranted?

And doesn't the best practice guidance say that discounting shouldn't be encouraged because of 'security' issue?

But, of course, the best practice guidance is all over the place as regards fare discounting, but best not go there

try explaining to hmrc that you have actually earned 10% less than the figures say you earned ,well mr taxman,I charged 10% less because I gave it to my passengers as a discount because the council said that I dont have to charge the tarriff programmed into my meter and approved by the council

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i started out with nothing and ive still got most of it left