Taxi Driver Online

‘Disgusting’ taxi driver overcharged students


A cowboy cabbie charged two foreign students nearly £50 - for a ten minute journey.

The two-mile journey, from Eastbourne railway station to Hampden Park, should have only cost around £8 but the students were charged £49 for the trip, which took place at around 10pm on Tuesday 14 July.

The 15-year-old students, who come from Switzerland and Saudi Arabia, did not get the driver’s licence plate number but say the driver spoke Arabic.

Helen Moss, a host mother from Fountains Close, now wants to warn other students about being taken advantage of by licensed drivers.

She said, “I think it’s disgusting, the poor boy is only 15 and got taken advantage of.”

A spokesperson for Eastbourne Borough Council said: “Taxi drivers provide an important service in the town and our experience is that they offer a high quality service to local people and visitors.

“However, it is an offence for Hackney Carriage drivers not to use the fitted meter or to charge more than the legal tariff of fares displayed in the licensed vehicle.

“We strongly advise passengers to check the meter is not showing any amount when they get into the taxi and even if you agree a fixed fare before your journey, ask the driver to switch the meter on to demonstrate that they are not overcharging you.

“We take enforcement very seriously and any breaches should be reported to the council on 01323 410000 with either the taxi number which is displayed on both front doors or the vehicle’s registration number.

“You are entitled to a receipt for your journey.”

source: http://www.eastbourneherald.co.uk/news/ ... -1-6870540

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

I wonder if the council has asked the students to come in and make a statement, and show them pictures of drivers?

Or maybe invite them to the rank to observe from a distance.

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IDFIMH

Investigation launched to find Eastbourne’s ‘cowboy cabbie’


The council has launched an investigation in a bid to track down a cowboy cabbie who grossly overcharged two foreign students.

Earlier this week, the Eastbourne Herald reported how a taxi driver charged the two 15-year-olds an eye-watering £49 for a two-mile journey from Eastbourne railway station to Hampden Park.

The journey should have only cost around £8.

Following a complaint, Eastbourne Borough Council says it is to launch an investigation in a bid to find the driver involved.

A spokesperson for Eastbourne Borough Council said: “It is an offence for Hackney Carriage drivers not to use the fitted meter or to charge more than the legal tariff of fares displayed in the licensed vehicle.

“We have received a report that passengers were over-charged when they recently used a taxi in Eastbourne.

“The allegations are being investigated by the council.”

http://www.eastbourneherald.co.uk/news/ ... -1-6876129

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