Taxi Driver Online

Taxi drivers call for fare increase

By Lisa Smith, Birmingham Mail


TAXI passengers are facing a hike in fares - after drivers warned of protest action unless their cash demands were met.

Drivers are seeking a "significant" rise from £2.32 to £3 for the first half-mile of any journey.

They also want the cost of waiting times to increase from 10p per 40 seconds to 10p for 30 seconds or 20p per minute.

Chairman of Redditch Taxi Association, Mohammed Araf, said there was not enough work to go round and the rise would help drivers make ends meet.

He confirmed they were considering protest action unless they could raise more cash from fares.




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"Some of the drivers are talking of protests unless fares go up," Mr Arif said.


But members of Redditch Borough Council's executive committee are being recommended to look at a slightly lower rise when they meet to discuss the matter on November 22.


They are expected to approve a 3.3 per cent hike, with fares rising from £2.32 to £2.40 per half mile and waiting times up to 10p per 40 seconds or 15p per minute.


A report to the committee said: "If the fares are not increased it may lead to protest action by taxi drivers and will effectively reduce their income in real terms, which could result in a reduction in the availability of taxis in Redditch."


The committee will also review surcharges for late night cabs and bank holidays, which are expected to increase from £1.16 per journey to £1.20.


But the proposed increases will come at a price to taxi drivers. They will have to pay £25 each to have their taxi metres altered to handle the new fare structure.

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

You really have to look at that statement and wonder how the f*ck the person who wrote the report (to the council) got the job.

CC

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