Taxi Driver Online

Minicab drivers threaten to strike in row over fares


UP to 500 private hire taxi drivers in Bolton could go on strike next weekend. Self-employed drivers with Bolton’s biggest private hire firm, Metro, are understood to be considering action next Friday and Saturday night, starting at 3pm.

The row is over customer fares, income and rising costs. Meanwhile rival operators, who say they have some sympathy for Metro drivers, are preparing for a potential surge in trade.

One firm said it has printed 15,000 business cards for distribution. Tonge Moor Road-based Metro has 500 drivers and is now in talks with the recently-formed Bolton Private Hire Association.

Metro now operates a minimum starting fare of £1.80 for each journey, while other firms typically have starting fares of about £2.30.

Over the course of each day and week, Metro drivers believe they earn less than their counterparts in rival firms — but say they are attracted to Metro because of its market dominance and popularity.

Nick Astley, who founded Metro in 2000, said he had some sympathy with drivers but striking would be foolish. He said: “I’m still holding talks. I met the association on Thursday night and I think we are on the verge of a settlement.

It’s true that fares have not gone up for a long time while other costs have.

“However, I’ve got to look at the situation for drivers and customers. There are a lot of factors.

“There is going to be a fares increase, but by how much and when has not been decided. When a decision is taken, we will make a proper announcement.

Metro is Bolton’s biggest taxi firm and will still be the cheapest.

“If the strike went ahead, I don’t know how many drivers would take part. I certainly don’t think the public would sympathise. Anybody who went on strike during talks would be a fool.”

One driver for a rival firm, who asked not to be named, said: “If the strike goes ahead there will be mayhem. Metro has hundreds of drivers all over Bolton and others will be keen to get some of that trade.”

A rival taxi firm owner, who also did not want be named, said: “I’ve drawn up two order lists for next weekend. One is for regular customers and the other for new customers.

“Regular customers will get priority but we’re distributing 15,000 business cards all over the area.

“I’ve got sympathy for the Metro drivers. They’ve got to work longer to make a living. Insurance has gone up from about £1,200 a year to £3,000 because of cash-for-crash fraud.

That’s a huge difference.”

Mohammed Ilyes, a spokesman for Bolton Private Hire Association said: “The main issue is that for 10 years fares have not increased in line with costs. Negotiations are ongoing and the association does not want to prejudice talks.”

source: http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/loc ... ke_threat/

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

Nick Astley


no relation

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

Minimum fares £1.80??? My minimum fare is £5 or it's hot worth going out for. Do these people live on Planet Zog?

Anyway, how can a self-employed person go on strike?

By not going to work - if all the drivers do that then the operator may struggle to cover the work by himself - if they all leave and go to another circuit then his business will end - sadly explaining that to drivers is difficult, because in general they're thick as pigpoo.

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

The workers united.

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IDFIMH

it about time the drivers take these parasite firm owner down it just a shame that the owner drivers dont simply form a new coop firm and boot these whip crackers into touch an leave them with no cars and no firm overnight

NAH BOLTON YOU EVER BEEN THERE==============================KARSIE

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All posts by this contributor are made in a strictly personal capacity

I AM PROUD TO BE A CITIZEN NOBODY'S SUBJECT http://www.republic.org.u

F88K EM ALL WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND

BOOZE BOOZE BOOZE

AGREED

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All posts by this contributor are made in a strictly personal capacity

I AM PROUD TO BE A CITIZEN NOBODY'S SUBJECT http://www.republic.org.u

F88K EM ALL WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND

BOOZE BOOZE BOOZE

The workers united. [/quote

]
DIS UNITED FOR 10 STRETCH EVIDENTLY AND NOW THEY REAP THE BENEFIT

_________________
All posts by this contributor are made in a strictly personal capacity

I AM PROUD TO BE A CITIZEN NOBODY'S SUBJECT http://www.republic.org.u

F88K EM ALL WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND

BOOZE BOOZE BOOZE

I REFER TO THE CAPTS POST "THEIR AS THICK AS PIGPOO" WHICH WOULD RENDER YOUR SUGGESTION SOMEWHAT PROBLEMATICAL

_________________
All posts by this contributor are made in a strictly personal capacity

I AM PROUD TO BE A CITIZEN NOBODY'S SUBJECT http://www.republic.org.u

F88K EM ALL WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND

BOOZE BOOZE BOOZE

Minicab strike called off with fares set to rise


A minicabI strike — planned for this weekend — will not go ahead after hundreds of drivers agreed higher rates with Bolton’s biggest private hire firm.

Up to 500 private hire drivers had threatened to walk out on Friday and Saturday in a dispute with Metro over customer fares, drivers’ income and rising costs.

They have now reached an agreement to increase rates, which will increase the cost of the journey.

Metro currently operates a minimum starting fare of £1.80 for each journey, while other firms have higher starting fares of about £2.30.

Metro drivers believe they earn less but say they are attracted to the firm because of its size.

The strike was due to start at 3pm on Friday but was called off after the latest round of talks between Bolton Private Hire Association and Metro.

Association spokesman Mohammed Ilyas said: “The previous rate of £1.80 for the first mile and £1 for each extra mile will go up to £2.30 and £1.30. We think that’s a good arrangement and the drivers were happy with the offer.

“A few other details are to be sorted out, including installing fare metres in vehicles.”

Nick Astley founded Metro Taxis in 2000 and has been in the trade for 30 years.

He said: “We have listened to the drivers concerns. It’s been eight or nine years since the rates went up, which has become an issue with rising costs elsewhere, especially with fuel and insurance.

“We have got to look after customers and drivers. Because there are so many drivers involved, it is sometimes difficult to communicate with them all. However a strike was not the answer.

“It is not a massive jump in rates but drivers will see the benefit when the extra sums from each journey mount up.

“There is a lot to do before then about getting the final touches in place. The last thing we wanted was for customers to suffer over a bank holiday weekend.”

No exact date has been set for the increase but it is expected to be introduced in September.

source: http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/104 ... t_to_rise/

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

Well done to that fella.

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IDFIMH

£1 a mile in 2013

_________________
All posts by this contributor are made in a strictly personal capacity

I AM PROUD TO BE A CITIZEN NOBODY'S SUBJECT http://www.republic.org.u

F88K EM ALL WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND

BOOZE BOOZE BOOZE

If the drivers are that unhappy working at metro why not do one of two things.

Quit or Quit.

The whole thing of we have an attachment is a load of bull. They just want better fares. When metro losses about 10% of the work lets see if the attached drivers stay where they are.

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Live life with a smile

Yes but £1.80 a mile in 2004 was a bloody good rate. "This is the first rate riae for 9 years".