Taxi Driver Online

Recently we cabbies were informed by letter of our new fare proposals being put forward by our local LA.
At the same time, a piece appears in the local press from the LA about our "Pay Rise"
The truth as always, is somewhat different. We are being given a 20p increase in the flag on rate 1, but just 10p on rate 2 and again 20p for rate 3.
Historically we have always had a very simple approach with rate 2 being exactly 50% more than rate 1 in every sense, and surprise surprise, rate 3 was double rate 1. Under the new "proposal" this no longer the case, as there will be no difference in the time/distance rate across all 3 rate bands. This means after flag we will be charging £1.60 a mile in mid week, at 2am, on Christmas, New years eve and all other bank holidays
Our waiting time rate is being reduced from £15 to £10.90 per hour.
Of course there is an upside, we are being allowed, if we choose, to charge 20p per passenger more, for each additional passenger over two people. WOW!
1 cabbie calculated his recent Saturday night earnings would be 25% less under the new proposals.
We are in Suffolk under Babergh LA. They are being merged with Mid Suffolk LA and this proposal looks very much like the mid Suffolk rates minus the relaxed vehicle rules they benefit from, a race to the bottom with no benefit in being there!

The proposals are out for "consultation" with a view to coming into force on June 1st.
Obviously we are objecting like hell on every press platform we can find, but what else can we do to stop these proposals and expose them for what they are?
Are injunctions feasible?
There is very little unity in the town, but this has unified some.

Idea's please

The first thing to do is make sure everyone responds to the consultation, it’s ok having a trade response through an association (if you have one, if not, form one) but also have as many individual responses as possible. It’s also an idea to speak to any disabled/mobility groups in your area, pointing out that although it sounds like a great idea ( to have cheaper fares ) it could lead to a decrease in WAV numbers as drivers could make the switch to Private hire and purchase saloon vehicles if it becomes uneconomical to ‘run’ a WAV.
You also need to speak to the councillors on the licensing committee as individuals (face to face, emails, telephone calls,whichever way you can) pointing out your concerns. You can always throw in the environmental aspect as well, stating drivers won’t be able to invest in new/electric WAVs if they have a reduced income.
I would also think very carefully before you even consider legal action.

Don't forget to mention in any objection that the minimum wage is increasing from April 1st.
I would also ask them to provide the formula that they have used to calculate the new tariff. Also point out that with no enhanced rate for unsocial hours that provision may well go down at these times. I for one would not done nights for the same rate as days and certainly not bank holidays.

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Grandad,
To support my charity text MAYORWALK to 70085 to donate £5

I posted a news article a few days ago elsewhere on here, and remarked upon the fact that it seemed like a pretty straightforward fare rise.

Indeed, the reported quote from the licensing officers makes it sound like a pretty bog standard scenario:

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=35473


So it would be interesting to know how this came to be reported in the press as a straightforward fare rise when it's anything but - the council spinning a line to the press, or the press misreporting it? Either or both wouldn't surprise me in the slightest.

As for your best course of action, can't really add much to what the others are saying on here.

But the legal route is perhaps best avoided unless you have deep pockets and/or a cast iron case. Doesn't seem that long since Guildford was challenged on the fare drop there, and that didn't end well for the trade.

Email the council asking how they came to those proposals in the first place. Ask them if this is a licensing officer's or if it has been proposed from the trade, or an operator.

But whatever happens object, object and object.

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IDFIMH

No. The legal avenue isn't something you want to consider in this case.

Have they advertised the increase/decrease yet?

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IDFIMH