Anonymous wrote:
Indeed, around a month ago you seemed to think that some drivers at Brighton station might be acting unscrupulously as regards out-of-area unregulated trips (see below), which I think in OFT terms might be deemed as due to competition and/or regulatory problems. But now you seem to just dismiss this by saying that out-of-area journeys can be charged at any rate, which seems to contradict your earlier stance. Or how much higher than £70 for the trip would the driver have to charge (as compared to the ‘going rate’ of £35) before you thought it a rip-off?
Dusty
Firstly it wasnt Brighton Station. It was at a rank.
It is not for ME to judge how others charge as they are individuals who can legally charge whatever they want. This is stated in the fare card that any journey ending outside the borough is to be agreed between the customer and driver.
So the driver does have the right to charge whatever he thinks he can get away with.. Do I actually agree with this... well yes and no. He has the right but personally I do not think that this should be abused.. and I stated that with regards to the Gatwick fare I would have charged £40 which is more than my office quotes and less than it would be on the meter.
SO you are trying to make out that I have said one thing in one post and said the oposite in the other post.
So..lets get this clear. There are some drivers hack & ph who will try to charge ridiculous fares.. I cant stop that. However, all the the time the Hackney Carriage fare table states that the fare ending outside the borough can be agreed then the driver has the my full backing to exercise that right... as I do. The only difference is that I would quote a fare price.