Taxi Driver Online

A taxi for five? You could face new surcharge




The cost of taxi journeys with five or more passengers in Cambridge could soon be driven up.

Hackney carriage drivers want a £3 surcharge to be levied on trips to reflect the increased cost of running a multi-seater vehicle.

The request has been made by Cambridge City Licensed Taxis, which represents drivers, and will be considered by the city council’s licensing committee on Monday.

David Wratten, a director of the taxi group, said: “The extra £3 is to try to help the multi-seater and wheelchair-accessible taxis because of their higher running costs.

“By having a £3 charge, passengers will still be getting it cheaper whatever the journey because otherwise they would have to get two taxis, which is double the price.”

He said the cost of a taxi from Cambridge station to the city centre was currently £4.80 or £5, so the increased five-seater rate of £7.80 or £8 would still be less than the cost of two taxis.

Other ideas which have been considered for bigger taxis have been the charging of a fare-and-a-half for the trip or an extra charge of £1 per person over four passengers, but the £3 surcharge is thought to be the option which is least open to abuse.

The committee will also consider a request from taxi drivers for a further surcharge of 20p to be added to all fares in the event of fuel prices hitting £1.49 per litre, and a controversial “points system” for disciplinary issues.

Previously Mr Wratten presented a 593-signature petition against the enforcement policy, branding it unreasonable, and the committee is set to approve further consultation.

Under the system, drivers would accrue points for complaints or for misdemeanours such as using a mobile phone while driving, and could lose their licence if they collect too many.

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

f*cking idiot.

CC

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

Oh dear, this could be a can of worms, WAVs cost more to buy and run than saloons, and many are 5 (or seaters, if a wheelchair plus 4 get in will they accept the extra charge?....

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Of all the things ive lost, i miss my mind the most

£3 is a lot for a short run.

especially if they are getting £5 from the station to the city centre which is about 1 mile

mind you with the traffic jams there half of that is probably waiting time !

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lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector

Three pounds a lot for a short run ? You are being sarcastic arent you..

No its £3 extra on top of the £5 which is £8 for a 1 mile journey thats more than a London cab !

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lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector

Well if it's a three pound run just now then making it into a six pound run seems quite a lot?

Not sure what the flagfall is, but the punters might be better off with two saloons if they're not going very far

5-8 passengers costs fare and a half here. Still cheaper than 2 taxis.

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Grandad,

Yes, 1.5 is generally less than 2.

Same in london, fare and a half for a 6 seater.

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stressed controller!!!

Not in a hackney as there only licensed for five.

What about the Vito?

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Grandad,

Not old enough for Blackpool yet

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

Well put a jump seat in the front and licence for 6, my fx4 had 7 and my metro