Taxi Driver Online

BLACK cab fares are to be frozen this year in what has been hailed as a ‘historic’ move by Birmingham’s licensing chief.

It was the first time in years that the city’s leading cabbie’s union had not called for a price rise as drivers have seen custom fall during the recession.

The City Council licensing committee, which sets the fares allowed each year, was strongly urged not to repeat last year’s six per cent price rise and even cut one rate – for early morning travel.

The Birmingham and Solihull Taxi Association wanted a reduction between 4am and 7am, previously priced at expensive night time rates, as they were being under cut by the private hire minicab trade.

Licensing committee chairman Coun David Osborne (Lib Dem, Acocks Green) announced: “This is a historic day. We are not being asked to put the fares up.”

Association director Ray Beech said: “We felt this is a step in the right direction given the economic situation.

“The only change we requested was that the night tariff should end at the earlier time of 4am instead of 7am.

“This is a time when people are travelling to work early, getting trains and going to the airport rather than returning from a night out. Drivers felt this would make them more competitive with the private hire alternatives.”

Coun Barbara Jackson (Lib Dem, Stechford and Yardley North) said: “I welcome the proposal but this does follow the six per cent rise we approved in January last year.”

The new rates for early mornings will be introduced on April 1.

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

Errm the new rates will apply....I thought they said they werent going up?

CC

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

There not

They're having a reduction in the early morning, CC

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http://wingsoverscotland.com/ http://www.newsnetscotland.com/

Good....I dont work then so they can have one here too

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

I had to read that twice

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Note to self: Just because it pops into my head does NOT mean it should come out of my mouth!!

F***ing 'historic'. The country is in the sh** big time and cos cab drivers are trying their best to keep fares down council officials are jumping for f***ing joy.

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IDFIMH

The spokesperson was misquoted.

He actually said "hysteric move"

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Former taxi driver

The problem with no rise, as has been mentioned on here before, is that when the next rise does come in it will have to take account of x amount of year(s) without a rise.

Which means around a whopping 8% or so.