Taxi Driver Online

Southport hackney cab drivers hit back at taxis over fare criticisms


HACKNEY cab drivers have hit back at a Southport taxi firm partner after he criticised them for seeking fare increases.

Central Cabs co-owner Alan Campbell dubbed cab drivers “militant” for hiking tariffs by 10p per mile, insisting rises would price credit crunch-hit customers out of journeys.

Sefton Council unanimously voted to approve the rises – the first in more than two years – and cab drivers have slammed Mr Campbell for his views in the Southport Visiter.

Father-of-two Chris Bennett, who has driven hackneys for 12 years, warned that without rises drivers would end up on the road longer trying to earn a wage.

He said: “I don’t want my kids getting in a cab where the driver has been working for 16 hours and has had 10 Red Bulls.

“The rises aren’t about fuel – they are about cab drivers being able to make a living without having to work all day and all night.

“The cost of running a cab is through the roof and we haven’t had an increase to absorb those rises. Twelve months ago the cost of a tyre for a cab was £39 –now it is more than £60.

“All we are asking for is a cost of living rise like everybody else.”

The increases, which have already come into force, are the maximum tariff a hackney carriage can charge and each taxi company or independent driver can use their discretion.

Southport Station Taxi Association chairman John Murrison said many drivers were finding it more difficult then ever before to make a living. He said: “The cost of everything has gone up, running costs, insurance, fuel. Even if fuel prices are falling it is not going to come down to the 75p it was the last time we had a rise.

“Drivers are finding it pretty difficult. With the looming recession one of the first things to go are cab journeys and already during the week it is very quiet. Even Friday nights are falling off.

“Mr Campbell, by his own admission, is the only person opposed to this increase.”

Despite Sefton green-lighting the rises, Mr Campbell has insisted he will not increase the rate on his fleet of 20 black cabs.

A spokesman for Sefton Council said: “After careful consideration by members of the Licensing Committee, it was decided to increase the tariff for hackney carriages by 10p.

“This is the first tariff increase for hackney cabs for more than two years and Sefton currently has one of the lowest tariff rates in the country.”

The soilage charge in cabs has risen from £25 to £40.

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

Is 10p a mile increase a hike?

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IDFIMH

CC

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

I take it he doesn't shop around

it's a hike if the punter decides to walk home to save 50p for a five mile trip, -which they won't.

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Former taxi driver

I think Mr Campbell was only interested in some free advertising in the local paper... his company is private hire and charges their own rates. the hackney on it will charge his rate . free advertising nothing more ...

And Skippy.. Chris Bennett keeps his cab in tip-top condition at all times.. no second rate tyres for him....

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Justice for the 96. It has only taken 27 years...........repeat the same lies for 27 years and the truth sounds strange to people!

I wonder if he'll lose drivers?

CC

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

I have just put some new Vredesteins on and paid £20 less than last year

Just a point or two.

1, Campbell doesn't give a toss about his drivers, a year or two ago he wanted (probably still does) to get rid of the knowledge test for Sefton meaning more drivers which would mean each driver earning less.

2, It's a well known fact that when some of his hackney cabs gets a private hire job that they have used the hackney rate instead of the private hire rate, even regular customers and other central drivers have had this happen to them.

Out of the three private hire firms in Southport they are the one with less work and a few drivers have left to join one of the other two firms.

well he cant fight/oppose a meter increase can he