Cabbies slam council's taxi fare increasesNEW higher fares could ruin the taxi trade and leave customers feeling robbed, say drivers at one of the city’s biggest cab firms.
Wiltshire Council has just standardised all the county’s taxi tariffs, bringing in higher night-time rates and charges for journeys with more than four passengers.
At an emergency meeting, drivers from On-Line City Cabs agreed the change would lose them customers and destroy their night-time business.
And they say it could encourage people to drink-drive or walk home late at night, putting vulnerable people in danger.
Until May 7 there was a day rate (6am to 10pm), a night and Sunday rate (10pm to 6am), and one for Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
A cab to Tidworth from the city centre used to cost £30 during the day and £50 at night.
Now the same journey for five passengers will cost £50 in the day, £72 between 10pm and 2.30am, and £96 between 2.30am and 6am — almost double what it used to cost.
The rates will stay the same for four or fewer passengers during the day and before 2.30am.
But some firms, including On-Line City Cabs and Value Cars, have agreed to charge only the lower rates.
On-Line City Cabs operations manager Paul Humphries said: “The night-time tariff after 2.30am and for more than four passengers is potentially going to ruin the taxi trade, discourage people from coming into our city and make the passengers that do travel feel like they have been legally robbed.”
Value Cars boss Scott Woodford said it was “very clear” Salisbury cab drivers did not want to increase fares and his firm would not put up its prices.
“The new rate means some taxi journeys will be too expensive and the fear is that people will simply stop coming into Salisbury,” he said.
The council says the new system will help passengers know the maximum they can be charged, wherever they are in the county.
It says it consulted drivers countywide and the changes were agreed at a licensing committee.
Owner of The Chapel nightclub Amanda Newbery said: “It’s unfair on our customers who are out for a good night and don’t expect to be stung with these extortionate fees.”
Amanda advised her customers to pre-book taxis home and said she was working with responsible cab firms to find a way around the system.
Salisbury has the ninth most expensive taxi fares in Britain at £7 for two miles on the basic rate.
source:
http://www.salisburyjournal.co.uk/news/12963784._/
Login
Register
FAQ
