Taxi Driver Online

Am I right in thinking that if a hackney is picking up at the rank or being hailed in the street and the fare is to another part of the same licensing area, they must use the meter?
Can the LA withdraw the plates of a vehicle whose meter has not been changed to a new tariff?

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Grandad,

In most cases yes, but we do have a few areas where the lads don't have meters.

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IDFIMH

Yes, but a reasonable time should be allowed before such an action is taken.

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IDFIMH

But a driver can charge less than whats on the meter.

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Taxi Driver Online
www.taxi-driver.co.uk

The company in question say that they don't need to use meters because they operate fixed fares. It is accepted that a fare can be less than the metered fare but without the meter running how can the customer know if the fare is correct? In our area it is a rule that the meter must be used for all fares within the borough (hailed or from the rank) Yet so far this company has never been prosecuted. They have, however, received a letter from the council stating that unless their meters have been changed and a calibration certificate received by July 1st they will have their plates revoked on July 2nd. Our fares were increased on June 1st. Would you say that this was a reasonable timescale and a reasonable course of action?

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Grandad,

There's a lot of discounting in St Andrews but I don't think there's any problem with not using the meter - you see taxis with punters with the roofer lit up all the time.

I think the meters have to read the up to date tariff though, it's just the driver doesnt' have to charge it.

I've heard drivers say that they won't get their meter changed but when push comes to shove they just do it.

This is probably the largest operator in our town and they don't want to pay £25 to have their meters changed because as they say they don't use them. The drivers could find themselves without cars in 2 weeks time.

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Grandad,

If we dont have ours changed within a week.

Then we dont work.

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Unmet demand you're having a laugh

A hard ass ex-licensing officer down here once remarked that undercharging in his eyes was worse than overcharging.

I'm not sure if this a correct legally.

Could you have the correct tariff on the meter, and advertise cheaper fares, or have your own tariff sheet in the cab, along with the council one.

Seems to be three different issues here:

1 Can a HC have a meter but not use it on a local run?

2 Can a HC have a meter but have it clocking at less than the official tariff?

3 Can a HC charge less than the official tariff?

I'm quite sure 3 has been decide by case law.

As for 1 and 2, I'm not sure if any case law covers this, but it's certainly the case that some LAs say that you meter must be calibarted to the up-to-date official tariff and that it must be used on local runs. It is possible that 1 and 2 could be challenged in court.

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Taxi Driver Online
www.taxi-driver.co.uk

I don't see why you would want to be cheaper but if you do you could have the meter reprogrammed. The meter is normally set at the maximum tarrif you can charge in your given area and there is no minimum.

But why have two rates?

That's quirky.
Any way as I understand the rules you can charge whatever as long as it is agreed in advance of the journey. Get proof of that if you can.

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The Seventh Saint

To get more work?

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Taxi Driver Online
www.taxi-driver.co.uk

You'd need more though, wouldn't you, just because you are cheaper.

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The Seventh Saint

Yes, and I assume the idea is that the greater amount of work will make up for the lower profit margins.

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Taxi Driver Online
www.taxi-driver.co.uk