Taxi Driver Online

Wokingham: Public consultation on taxi surcharge cut


Plans to cut a hefty surcharge on large groups taking taxis will go to public consultation.

The borough council’s licensing and appeals committee voted on Monday to consult passengers on a move to slash a 50 per cent surcharge for five or more passengers.

But cabbies predict drivers will refuse to pick up more than four people if the surcharge is changed.

The proposed change would scrap the surcharge for groups larger than four, to a set fee of 50p per person.

Committee chairman Cllr Patman said: “We want to hear from the public to see if they are happy to pay a 50 per cent surcharge.”

The committee consulted with the borough’s 101 Hackney Carriage drivers after voting in favour of the change in January.

Just over a third of the drivers responded – 15 called for no change and 19 suggested saloon cars should be reintroduced.

Taxi driver Imran Hussain said: “If they do away with these tariffs there would be no financial incentive to own or run a large vehicle.

“It’s good that it’s gone to public consultation because there’s some transparency but how many members of the public really understand the tariff structure?

“If you compare our price structure to others, our customers have a good deal.”

Mr Hussain estimates larger vehicles cost an extra £3,000 to £4,000 per year in extra road tax, insurance and costs.

source: http://www.getwokingham.co.uk/news/s/21 ... harge_cut_

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

If that is the case then surely evidence can be produced of such extras? I appreciate that a tariff of only 50% extra is saving the customers in larger groups 50% but is it really justified.

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

Yes!

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Grandad,

And toots you try running an 8 seater and see where the money goes fuel consumption 10 to 15 % higher than a saloon car road tax £300 a year insurance about 30 to 40 % more than a saloon car and garage bills up to 300% more than a saloon car

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

The fuel consumption is 15% more so that warrants a 50% surcharge? The garage bills are what they are regardless to the amount of passengers in the vehicle so does that warrant a 50% surcharge. Most drivers I know that drive the bigger vehicles do so to get the 50% surcharge and their attitude is that they are saving the customer 50% on fares because they don't have to get two saloons, so you'll have to excuse me for being cynical

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

Of course the purchase price and depriciation are higher.

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Grandad,

Are they? That aside there is a choice is there not

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

I think the extra % is fully justified.

However I think it is also a temptation to rip off groups of less than five.

Well it is down here.

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IDFIMH

I agree that there is justification for an extra %, I'm just not convinced that it should be 50%

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

Why - the vehicles were invariably bought for an advantage i.e. airport runs etc. tough titty imo

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

I think the advantage in most areas will be the extra % charged

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

yes - whilst a saloon car takes 4 passengers the 8 seater takes more - they're sourced on ranks - as opposed to all vehicles having 4 seats and passengers hiring two cabs - makes sense - except when you've sat in a dereg area for 1 hour waiting for a job.

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

We have fare and a half for all the 6 to 8 seaters