Well this is full of banalities
Wouldn't have bothered with this, but the photo of the driver is a tad amusing
Or maybe it's just my juvenile sense of humour
That said, by today's standards, I'm actually quite grown-up humour-wise
Taxis in Maidstone could cost £9 for two-mile trips after fare rise
https://www.kentonline.co.uk/maidstone/ ... up-331002/
The cost of flagging down a taxi is about to rise in one borough, bringing a two-mile trip to about £9 - and much more during the festive season.
In Maidstone, the price just to get into a cab would rise by 60p from £3.20 to £3.80 during the day.
At night and on Sundays the flag-down fee would go up to £5.70, while at Christmas and New Year the starting price would remain double the daytime rate.
It means a short two-mile trip would cost about £9 – and £18 at Christmas.
All images: Kent Online
Melfa Faucet, who has driven taxis in Maidstone for years, said the rise is overdue.
He explained that costs for fuel, insurance and maintenance have all gone up since 2019, while fares have stayed the same.
He said: “It’s only fair they catch up now.”
Only one passenger we spoke to in Maidstone town centre felt the prices were still fair.
Juliette Felix said: “Sometimes, if I’m running late and I come down from the train station, it costs about four or five pounds.
“That feels affordable.”
But most other passengers criticised the rise, warning it will make short trips too costly.
Ricky Doherty said: “I don’t like this at all.
“I used to pay just over six quid to get home from the Glass House [The Society Rooms] on a Saturday night, and now it’s going to be eight or nine.
“It feels like too much for such a short trip.”
Tina Town explained that she sometimes relies on taxis because buses don’t run often enough.
She said: “It’s already £20 just to get home to Shepway, and that’s a lot of money.
“If the price goes up again, I just won’t be able to afford it.”
Leila Rawson compared Maidstone with areas where other options like Uber or Bolt operate.
She said: “I like that Uber shows me the price and it’s cheaper, but with local firms it can be double for the same journey.
“It’s also really hard to get a taxi around here.
“I’ve had to take them to go to the vet or doctor’s before and it already felt like too much money and now it’ll be even more.
“And after a night out, some may risk walking instead of paying, even though a taxi is safer.”
Students Isla Gunn and Jess Herron said the increase would hit people without cars hardest.
They said: “We’re students, so we don’t have cars yet and we don’t have much money.
“When we take taxis, it’s usually because there’s no other option.
“It feels unfair for people who can’t drive; now they are going to have to pay even more.”
The council also plans to make meters tick over more quickly, meaning extra charges for distance and waiting time will add up sooner.
Jemima Amangoli said: “A taxi from here to Maidstone Hospital can be £11 to £15.
“Drivers also sometimes slow down so the meter keeps ticking, and unless you say something, you end up paying more.
“It’s crazy, and now it’s going to be even more.
“I think it’s something that really needs to be looked into.”
Other fees – such as 10p for each passenger after the first two, and a £50 charge if a car is soiled - will stay the same.
These fares are the maximum drivers can charge, so some may still ask for less.
Unless people write to the council to object by noon on October 16, the new fares will start that day.
Anyone wanting to comment can email licensing@maidstone.gov.uk or write to Licensing Services at Maidstone House in King Street.