Taxi Driver Online

OK, most of us know that an LA cannot stop HCs from charging less than the set tarrif, but does anyone know of any LAs

- who allow HC meters to be set at less than the set tariff;

- or who perhaps allow another tariff card to be displayed with a lower fare, either in addition to or in place of the official tariff card?

Does anyone know any case law on this?

I can't see how a council can allow a lower charge than the set fare, yet not allow that fare to be shown.
There is no way B&H would allow a cheaper tariff to be set in the meter, or a cheaper fare table be shown, if for no other reason than it's in the bylaws.
But, as is the norm now, they will allow discounts off the fare. In fact they make a big thing on the tariff card saying that it's the max fare.
They will only seal the set fare, but for PH they will seal any fare that's put before them.
Provided it's the same as the fares that are advertised in the PH.
Have you got all that?

I suspect that's the way the vast majority of LAs look at this, but it's an interesting topic, both from the licensing point of view and the pro-consumer/OFT view.

For example, I seem to recall from the Trans Comm meeting that one of the council reps said that drivers were already allowed to discount, so the OFT's recommendation to encourage this was unnecessary. One of the MPs asked how this was done, and the rep said (I think!!) that it was mentioned on the tariff card that fares could be discounted.

The discussion was left at that, but if some unsuspecting punter gets in and sets off, when is the info on the tariff card likely to come to light? Answer, probably well into the journey, or at least when the car has left the rank, which is clearly a recipe for disaster.

Incidentally, discounting is rife in my manor, but I couldn't really see anyone wanting the meter to read lower - most of the discounter assume that they'll get the rank work at the metered rate, and the more competitive pre-booked work is offered at a discount. So they don't want the meter showing less than the max tariff!!

Its OK to offer discounts when your fares are amongst the top 5 in the country .......... but what about those of us who's fares are in the lowest 10.

We recently applied the fare rise formula of a neighbouring authority and it showed a rise of 32%, we only got 5% .......... that'll probably put us in the bottom 5.

it does not suprise me.
probably as good as you at maths

You obviously don't need any provocation to abuse others ......... no wonder then that you consider yourself to be such a success.

The calculations within the forula were applied by a chartered accountant friend of one of the lads, who's recently moved into our neighbouring authority who fares are fairer than ours.

You may consider yourself to be above others but I consider you to be beneath contempt.

The following contribution was received by email, by someone who doesn't want to join the forum:

"Vale of White Horse in Oxfordshire stopped one of the companies in the town of Abingdon resetting the meters to give 10% discount. Wasn't much debate because the council testers were meant to seal them.

"The company also had to display the full tarrif but had a 10% off sticker next to it.

"Think the company was Vargas. A fleet of shat."