Taxi Driver Online

Taxi drivers want to bump up fares



BLACK cab taxi fares must increase to meet rising costs, drivers have told the city council.

A drivers’ group is seeking rises of about two per cent in line with inflation from March 25 and has won the support of a leading councillor.

The City of Oxford Licensed Taxicab Association (COLTA) has urged Oxford City Council to increase tariffs.

This would only affect black cab journeys in the city, as these are regulated by the city council. Fares last went up in 10 months ago.

In a report to the council, COLTA said drivers are being “pushed to the limits” by tough trading conditions and cost of fuel.

It adds: “Compare bus fare prices and car parking increases in Oxford and it soon becomes apparent how high the prices are in comparison to taxi fare increases.

“The past 17 months has been a tough period in terms of economic prosperity and this has impacted on COLTA members and other individuals who operate through the attainment of a specific licence to perform their duties on the road via Oxford City Council.”

In its budget for the next financial year, the city council is proposing to put up parking fees by as much as nine per cent.

COLTA’s plans would see journeys from 6am to 10pm Monday to Saturday go up by an average of 1.95 per cent.

For example, a five-mile journey would increase from £10.60 to £10.90.

The rest of the time fares would go up 1.81 per cent and about 2.09 per cent over Christmas and New Year.

Senior licensing officer Jill Cramer said a 2012 study found the city had the joint 39th most expensive daytime licensed cab fares.

The council’s general purposes licensing committee is considering the proposal today at 5.30pm at Oxford Town Hall, St Aldate’s.

Chairman Colin Cook said: “It will be interesting to see what the rest of the committee think, but it looks to be in line with inflation so it is relatively small.

“I personally don’t think it will be that controversial and I am open to the prospect of it.”

A report to the councillors also recommends not increasing the annual licence fees paid by drivers.

If the council supports a fare increase, proposals will have to go to a public consultation.

http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/109500 ... ?ref=var_0

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

its going to make the Oxford Hacks look more expensive compared to the PH - most of the PH Companies all run on one rate set by one company - the last time they had a rate rise was in 2006 when it was about .90p a litre for fuel

when they are presented with this statistic, its either some excuse about the competition or leave your pda on the desk. Obviously they have grown there fleets massively since that time, but I would say that oxford hacks have it quiet good so I cant see where the "tough trading conditions" come from.

what sort of english is this???

no mention of the highest you know what in the uk or the above average rentals they charge the "serfs"

That is probably illegal.

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Grandad,

well they do, it was set by Royal in 2006, adopted by 001 and oxford City cars, only Radio cars have a slightly higher meter, and its only by .20p, one or two other companies have a slight variation.

But my point is the hacks will look more expensive as these PH companies will be keeping there rates artificially lower.

Why illegal ?

cartel

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

Or in other words sheep following sheep...