Taxi Driver Online

Cabbie hits out at Castle Point taxi fares rise


A CABBIE has hit out at “extortionate” taxi fare hikes which he believes are illegal.

Fare increases of between 6 and 7 per cent have been introduced across Castle Point by the council.

This means a five-mile journey in a four-seater taxi will cost £10.80 during the day, or £12.60 between midnight and 4am.

Legally, the council must advertise the new fare tariff in the local press before it is introduced to give the public and opportunity to object.

But the copy of the tariff which appeared in the Echo’s sister paper the Southend Standard for October 3 was slightly different to the one that has been introduced.

Cabbie Geoff Andrews believes this makes the fare rises illegal.

He said: “The price rises are extortionate.

“They don’t need to go up that much.

“They cannot be implemented by law either, until they have appeared in one of the local newspapers and the correct tariff has not appeared.

“The council just don’t seem to care.”

Castle Point Council chief executive David Marchant accepted a mistake had been made, but said the council was not taking any further action. He said: “There was a slight defect in the process.

“But we considered the benefits of that process and took a reasonable view it was OK to proceed.”

Fares charged by taxis and private hire vehicles using a meter are reviewed every year by the Castle Point Council Licensing Committee and any increases are introduced on November 1.

Paul Eynorth, manager of Canvey-based A Star Taxis, said drivers would struggle without the increase in the current economic climate.

He said: “We need to put fares up because the cost of living is rising.

“Even though petrol is stabilising, all our overheads are going up.”

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

Reasonable prices if you ask me.

Same cab fare here would be £10.90 and £14.50.

CC

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

Well he is wrong.

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IDFIMH