Council drops plans to reduce Guildford taxi fares after 'legal threats' The Guildford Hackney Association stopped plans to reduce the cost per mile, but councillors have disputed that it was due to the threat of a judicial review
Guildford Borough Council went back on its decision to reduce taxi fares in the town
The threat of legal action prompted a U-turn over council plans to reduce taxi fares in Guildford, it has been claimed.
Customers were expecting to pay less per mile, but a challenge from Guildford Hackney Association blocked the scheme.
The drivers’ group claimed the decrease would affect their livelihoods and this week, Guildford Borough Council went back on its decision.
It is the latest in a string of disagreements that has contributed to a fractious relationship between the council and taxi drivers.
Mark Rostron, secretary of Guildford Hackney Association, had claimed drivers could lose up to £7,000 a year in earnings if the fare change went ahead.
Speaking after the announcement there would be no change, Mr Rostron said: “From the association’s point of view, we are pleased we managed to stop this crazy council proposal.
"Obviously it would be very damaging to taxi drivers, and to the users of taxis because it would have lead to a reduction in the number of taxis working and a shortage at critical times.
“At the same time, we are really disappointed we had to yet again resort to expensive legal means and threaten a judicial review to get the council to see reason and recognise it made serious mistakes in its decision.
"The council is wasting tax payers’ money, a large amount of council tax payers’ money, pursuing all these mistaken policies over the years.
"The public of Guildford are paying for the incompetence of the council. Because of the history of this, I think it fair to say the drivers don’t have any confidence in the council, the councillors and officers, in their capacity to deal with taxi licensing.”
The daytime taxi rate will stay £2.04 per mile, and the night and holiday rate £3.07.
Taking other costs into account Mr Rostron said drivers hired a barrister who wrote to the council saying if the council did make changes to fares, a judicial review would be launched.
However, Councillor Graham Ellwood, lead member for community safety and licensing, said the decision had nothing to do with the threat of a judicial review.
“Mark tends to issue the threat of judicial reviews a bit like confetti, which is not helpful,” Cllr Ellwood said.
“We never back down in the face of judicial review. The reason I called in the decision is simple.
"The fare calculator was worked out two years ago and although I understand the reason, it was looking to reduce fares because of a drop in fuel price.
"I don’t believe it takes into account other costs which are going to rise. For example, the costs of mortgages.”
Cllr Ellwood said many drivers approached him worried about the effect the change would have on their income.
Taxi drivers were informed of the change of decision by the council last Tuesday (August 11), a day before the proposed decrease in fares was due to come in.
The fare also includes 50p extra for each passenger above one, and a £100 fine if the taxi is left in an unusable state after use.
In September, the council is also due to discuss further changes to the taxi service, which includes a ‘Guildford Borough Council’ branding of drivers’ vehicles and more in-depth training and assessment.
Mr Rostron has criticised that too, again saying it could impact the lives of drivers who are not good at exams, but are good at their jobs.
Others branded the change in livery of the cars, which would feature a Guildford Borough Council logo and a silver or teal paint job, as a waste of money.
source:
http://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/surrey- ... rd-9883810
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