Taxi Driver Online

Not much to see here, but apparently 76% of HCs responded to the council regarding the rise

Which obviously compares very well to other areas, but the cynic in me suspects it's not all it seems - wouldn't be surprised if most responses are exactly the same

Hefty increase on the running mile though - £1.60 to £2.00, which is 25%

Article also reads like it's the first rise in ten years, but maybe that isn't as it seems either

So although seems quite boring at first glance, actually very exciting article

Eastbourne taxi fares could be about to rise

https://www.eastbourneherald.co.uk/news ... -1-8833163

Taxi fares in Eastbourne could be set to rise if proposals gain the backing of borough councillors next week.

Next Monday (March 11), Eastbourne Borough Council’s licensing committee is to consider proposals to increase the maximum amount Hackney Carriages can charge in fares.

In a report to the committee, a council spokesman said: “The current fares set have been in place for ten years and the trade has requested a review of the current fare structure.

“There are currently 114 licensed Hackney Carriages that are allowed to ply for hire in Eastbourne. Fares charged by Hackney Carriages cannot be more than the fare set by Eastbourne Borough Council.

“Following informal requests made by some Hackney Carriage proprietors all Hackney Carriage proprietors were written to on February 1 2018 and asked to contact the licensing team to advise if they were in favour of a fare increase.

“It was made clear that should more than 50 per cent of the trade feel an increase is appropriate then a report would be presented to [the committee].

“The licensing team received 86 positive responses for an increase, which is a 76 per cent return.”

Taxi fares are set according to a rate card, which calculates the how much a journey will cost depending on how long the journey is and when it began.

For example, Eastbourne taxis can currently begin a journey between 6am and 11pm with a maximum of £2.60 on the meter, charging a maximum of £1.60 per mile for the first five miles and £2 for each mile afterwards.

If the increased fares are approved, taxis would be able to begin the same journey with £2.90 on the meter, charge a maximum of £2 per mile for the first five miles and £2.20 for each mile afterwards.

Other factors, such as time waiting and the number of people in the taxi, also add to the cost. Bank Holidays, Christmas and New Year are also charged at a different rate.

This rate card only applies to licensed Hackney Carriages, with pre-arranged private hires set without the council’s involvement.

Due to the complexity of this system, the average rate is usually presented as a two-mile fare when comparing it to other areas.

In Eastbourne this average fare currently comes to £5.70, which council officers say is the lowest fare charged within East Sussex.

If the increased charges are approved, the average two-mile fare in Eastbourne will cost £6.90 – the same average fare as set by Wealden District Council.

If given the backing of the licensing committee, the proposals will be decided by the council’s cabinet at a later date.

Or they were via a petition organised by some determined drivers.

It can be done if people put in the effort.

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IDFIMH

Usually with longer jobs they are cheaper per mile than local jobs, interesting that the Eastbourne lads are asking for the opposite.

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IDFIMH

Probably a template letter response, but it fulfilled the criteria.

On the other hand, what are the fares that are actually charged?

Our council sets a 25% premium rate for fares over the boundary, but in reality the negotiated fares tend to go below the basic rate on a 50-mile airport run, say.

And looking at the Eastbourne boundaries (although couldn't find a decent map), suspect very few jobs within the area are less than five miles, so the five miles presumably normally applies to out-of-area jobs, in which case the drivers could presumably charge more than the £2.20 if the customer is willing to pay.

So whether a premium rate for Eastbourne actually helps or hinders drivers isn't that clear - our premium rate certainly looks good on paper, but for the vast majority of runs the reality is a bit different.

Also, even with the hefty increase and on the premium rate, Eastbourne still doesn't look that expensive. Ours is £2.35 per mile even on the lowest rate. So the current basic rate in Eastbourne of £1.60 per mile looks very cheap.

Of course, even though the increased rates aren't particularly dear, doubt if punters will be over-pleased with a 25% hike on the running mile

Population of 100,000 ish, busy seaside town full of old dears. I suspect 95% of jobs are less than 5 miles.

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IDFIMH

This one gives an idea.

https://www.geopunk.co.uk/council/Eastb ... istrict-(B)

Basically built up all bar the land around Beachy Head.

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IDFIMH

Rereading what I said, maybe I wasn't that clear

What I meant was that in view of Eastbourne's small size, unlikely to be many jobs of five miles that *don't* cross the boundary, ie if it's a five mile job then to a degree the premium metered rate isn't relevant because in theory the driver could charge whatever he wants anyway.

So I think we're actually in agreement, but I'm not entirely sure. Probably

Who knows?

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IDFIMH

Quite.

But the issue with the progressive meter, if that's what they use, is that a job could be a run around and not leave the district, however if that run around is over 5 miles it will go to the extra rate.

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IDFIMH

Doubt if many of them, though.

And if I was responsible for setting fares, I would say there's less justification for a progressive rate on such runarounds, because less chance of dead mileage.

Proposed increase to Eastbourne taxi fares splits councillor opinion

https://www.eastbourneherald.co.uk/news ... -1-8844648


Image: Eastbourne Herald

Proposals to increase taxi fares in Eastbourne have been given the backing of town councillors.

On Monday (March 11), Eastbourne Borough Council’s licensing committee considered proposals to increase the maximum amount Hackney Carriages can charge in fares for the first time in ten years.

Taxi fares are set according to a rate card decided by individual councils, which calculates how much a journey will cost depending on how long it is and when it began.

While committee members all agreed to some increase in fares, opinions were split over the amount of increase proposed.

Colin Belsey (Con – Ratton) said: “I’m sure we all feel that an increase is due, but I am a bit perturbed at the increase of per mile up to five miles because that is an increase on the current fare rate of 25 per cent.

“For travelling around town, I guess that is the sort of mileage you are talking about, from the station to where Ratton stops and probably towards the Harbour as well.

“That is quite a chunk. I think a 25 per cent increase on that is quite heavy.”

Meanwhile Steve Wallis (Lib Dem – Devonshire) raised concerns about the larger increases for taxi fares on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

However, other committee members felt the size of the increase was due to the lower than average rates currently charged within the borough.

Colin Murdoch (Con – Ratton) said: “I did go through, before I came here, all the rates in the UK, picking areas we are comparable with.

“It is a 25 per cent increase on the card, but when you look at the [fare] they charge at the moment it is extremely low.

“This actually brings them up comparable with everyone else.”

Following a short debate the fare increases were backed by the committee on a seven to three vote.

Under the current rate card, Eastbourne taxis can begin a journey between 6am and 11pm with a maximum of £2.60 on the meter, charging a maximum of £1.60 per mile for the first five miles and £2 for each mile afterwards.

The increased charges mean taxis would be able to begin the same journey with £2.90 on the meter, charge a maximum of £2 per mile for the first five miles and £2.20 for each mile afterwards.

Other factors, such as time waiting and the number of people in the taxi, also add to the cost. Bank Holidays, Christmas and New Year are also charged at a higher rate.

This rate card only applies to licensed Hackney Carriages, with pre-arranged private hires set without the council’s involvement.

Due to the complexity of this system, the average rate is usually presented as a two-mile fare when comparing it to other areas,

In Eastbourne this average fare currently comes to £5.70, which council officers say is the lowest fare charged within East Sussex.

Under the increased charges, the average two-mile fare in Eastbourne will cost £6.90 – the same average fare as set by Wealden District Council.

While given the backing of the committee, a final decision on the proposals will be made by council leader David Tutt.

Year on year yes, but not 10 year on 10 year.

Inflation has averaged 3.1% since 2009, so in theory the drivers could have asked for a 31% increase just to stay still.

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IDFIMH

So does the following mean that the council leader decided not to implement the rise agreed by the committee?


Taxi fares could rise in Eastbourne

https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/1785545 ... ares-rise/

TAXI fares could rise if proposals are approved by councillors next week.

The proposals for Eastbourne concern the maximum amount Hackney carriages can charge.

The proposed increase – the first in the borough for ten years – is backed by 74 Hackney carriage proprietors in the town, about 84 per cent of the town’s total trade.

Licensing committee members will make a decision on Thursday and any changes would happen no later than November 2.

Eventually he did, but one numpty delayed a pay rise for 100+ drivers.

F***wit.

https://democracy.lewes-eastbourne.gov. ... 0Fares.pdf

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IDFIMH