Taxi Driver Online

Taxi fares frozen for two years?


Taxi drivers have voted not to increase their fares until 2011 at the earliest which would mean rates remaining unchanged for more than two years.

Members of the Bracknell Licensed Taxi Forum (BLTF), representing the borough’s Hackney carriage drivers, have voted to recommend that Bracknell Forest Council’s licensing and safety committee do not increase the fares this year.

The move comes after the BLTF lobbied the council to put a freeze on the number of Hackney carriages in Bracknell because they feel there is too much competition for rides.

BLTF members felt if there was no freeze the tariff would have to go up to compensate for the lack of work available.

BLTF spokesman Andy Watson said: “From the start we’ve said that fares wouldn’t need to go up if the council puts a freeze on the number of cabs.

“This means it should be the longest time we’ve gone without fares going up.

“The freeze is only temporary because the council needs to be convinced that it will benefit the paying customers.

“I think this is good news for the customer.”

At the moment charges for Hackney carriages start at £2.80 and then cost 20p for every 250 yards travelled, This has been the case since July 2008.

The council has final say over whether the Hackney carriage rates go up but will bear the BLTF’s recommendation in mind when it considers rates at a meeting of the licensing and safety committee on Monday next week.

Andy added: “It’s still down to the council – we have no control, only influence.

“But it would be unlikely for the council to go against the wishes of the trade.”

The freeze on licences is in place while the council conducts a ‘significant unmet demand survey’ which seeks to establish whether there are too many Hackney carriages in the borough.

There are 86 Hackney carriages drivers operating around the borough but drivers say it is important there are no more because the lack of demand for their services could force them to up their prices in order to make a living.

Hackney carriages, which carry ‘Taxi’ roof signs and are available from taxi ranks or when hailed, are distinct from private hire vehicles which are not regulated by the council.

source: http://www.getbracknell.co.uk/news/

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

Not sure a two year freeze would normally be advised.

But in this case the lads were more interested to keep quotas, so some may view the freeze as a small price to pay.

But not me.

_________________
IDFIMH

I think Andy better make sure he knows the law.......the council rate is the maximum.....anyone can discount.

CC

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