Taxi Driver Online

Indeed, and I'm also a bit surprised the newspaper published a story like this.

If there is some kind of skullduggery going on then they should have got concrete evidence before making an issue of it in this way.

There's a slightly bizarre quality about the way the whole thing's progressed.

Is it a councillors job to "out" a complainant?

I think not.

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

Everyone on here though seems to be missing the point. The majority of Fenland district public DID NOT want meters. The majority of Hackney Carriage Drivers did not want Meters. Up until 2 days before the council meeting there had NEVER been a complaint investigated by the council in regards to Overcharging then within 3 hours 3 complaints were made from the same women. Does this not seem a bit strange. Yes we are now going to have meters installed but several drivers are not happy with this. Surely thats their right to be unhappy. Councillor Patrick is not just looking out for the public he represents but, as chairman of the hackney carriage association, the taxi trade. I know on here the trade welcome meters if not go private hire is the cry when opposing meters. Meters are good in the respect of clarity of pricing but the public are strongly opposed to them around here as they have seen a metered cab rocket there fares up £3.50 in non metered to £4.25 + in metered cabs. . Does that mean we will now have a dramatic increase in private hire vehicles (At Present 128 Hackney v 41 Private Hire) which seems to be the norm everywhere else.

Yes is does seem strange.....indeed I would say it looks like a set 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

You don't have to charge whats on the meter. You can charge less, you just can't charge more

Agree with CC, it probably was a set up, but how how does "outing" the complainant(s) help the public that voted for this councillor?
What that says to me is that anyone who makes a complaint can expect to be witch hunted by a councillor with a vested interest.

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

To Gunsmac, people who geniunely complain about taxi drivers would not be witch hunted. This particurly "Woman" is being hunted as she had 3 taxi drivers up under caution for overcharging just to get meters introduced. If ,as people, suspect she is a partner of a taxi driver who wants/has meter fitted, does it not make it seem unfair on the public/trade that did not want them to have 3 taxi drivers possibly lose their licences because of a set up.

Is it not the council's job to decide on the validity of any complaint and consider the motivation of the complainant?
Would identifying the complainant(s) change anything, if the council have already ruled on this?
A witch hunt with a vested interest councillor as Witchfinder General just looks vindictive.

"Outing" the complainant is just plain wrong, for so many reasons.

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

If you all came out of the dark ages those 3 complaints would not have happened as the meter would have informed them of the fare.
Whats wrong with having a meter like the other 99% of the UK, all you do is agree a tariff with the council that is placed into the meter and sealed and bobs your auntie, (could well be there, the things that go on, its like the archers)
Does it still cost 3 groats to go a mile???
Going by the taxi fare league table your almost at the bottom how the hell do you survive on that money???

Hi Skippy, our drivers seem happy on what they are earning considering most of customers are elderly on pensions or on minimum wage (£6.08 an Hour). If the public are happy with how we run at the moment surely a council elected by these people should act for these people and not for the minority. I thought thats why people vote but our council vote for their political views not for the people they represent. Also in Dec 2010 when our last fare increase was discussed the council only agreed in a 5% increase as "the public cannot afford anymore". Now the public MAY get charged approx 25% more if the drivers charge the meter price. Also from what I have been told the meters can only work in 20p increments for extras our booking fee is (maximum) 36p thus we can in reality only charge 20p extra.

http://www.scotborders.gov.uk/downloads ... sh_borders

Have a look at this tariff sheet its ours its a pdf just click on it
You will see there is no call out and no extras only 2 tariffs 1 for up to 4, and up to 8
If you simplified things you could make more.

Meters can be set to any price you want from 1P to 1000,000

Not sure that's true.

I don't doubt what you say, in respect of meters, is right, but an elected councillor should not lead a mini crusade to out a complainant.

Can you not see that?

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IDFIMH

Er, have you read your signature lately, Skippy?

And you of all people should realise it's not the fare that's important, it's the amount of work you get, like your 87 jobs for seven or eight hours on Xmas day

Yes, but the problem clearly isn't meters as such, it's that the official tariff is above that appropriate for local market conditions.

That's hardly unusual either, the only difference between yourselves and elsewhere is that you've been operating without meters for so long.

I disagree, the local cab trade should be the ones to decide what is best for their market.

CC

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

So you want councils out of it altogether - that would be a cartel?

And if Councillor Dave/taxi trade rep can say:

"I believe that the decision reached today will see some taxi drivers charging the full amount displayed on the meter."

...then the whole thing is a nonsense.