Taxi Driver Online

Not quite like the bog standard HC overcharging on street hires here, but suspect this kind of thing more widespread than reported.

But, as per previous threads, in Barrow there's obviously mixed HC/PH fleets, and office HCVs charging different tariffs. This will generally be discounted from the regulated HC tariff, but hardly a surprise that they're sometimes charging more.

And while previous stuff on the fares in Barrow indicate that it's all very messy, this one seems quite straightforward.

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=34649#p392583


Concerns taxi firm was 'overcharging' passengers

https://www.nwemail.co.uk/news/18263774 ... assengers/

AN investigation is ongoing following claims a taxi firm overcharged passengers for a number of months.

Taxi drivers in Barrow have claimed that Acacia Taxis set fares for Hackney Carriages higher than the allowed rate set by the council.

They say for at least nine months the firm set starting fares in its taxi meters higher than allowed by Barrow Council's licensing department.

It is understood the firm has now set its fare rates back in line with other taxi proprietors, with drivers from the company saying it was not intentional.

Licensing chiefs from the council have been made aware of the alleged issue and are looking into it.

Taxi drivers say the current system of fares in the borough needs to be overhauled.

One Barrow taxi driver from another company who did not want to be named, said: "I don't think they did it intentionally but they were still overcharging and it was an oversight from the town hall.

"The tariffs on the meters are set by the town hall and everyone needs to stick to them.

"As a Hackney Carriage you are not allowed to charge more than what the town hall sets.

"We want new tariffs so this can never happen again."

Unlike private hire vehicles, Hackney Carriage rates cannot be changed by taxi companies.

Councillor Tony Callister, Barrow Borough Council spokesman for licensing and public protection, said: “An investigation into this matter is ongoing.”

Acacia could not be reached for comment before going to press last night.

Er…

I do think its time for a law update to allow HC accepting pre-booked work to be considered PH for the purposes of maximum fares. If a passenger phones a PH company they are expecting to pay PH prices and not meter fare.

Indeed, and it all depends on the location, but it's all very messy in the grand scheme of things.

But I don't think any of the various 'reviews' of the legislation in the last decade or two have really bothered to address it. Up here the Scottish Parliament has reviewed the legislation twice and hasn't even mentioned this kind of thing.

But surely those meters, in hackneys, need to be sealed and approved by the council?

_________________
IDFIMH

Makes sense.

_________________
IDFIMH

Kind of thing I'd take with a pinch of salt - maybe charging more than the set tariff, but not literally 'in its taxi meters'.

Maybe they just charged a minimum irrespective of what was on the meter, or used 'extras', or whatever.

They'll be using the Operator's fare card (or their app) to calculate the fee. Someone will have worked out the mileage vs the council's HC fare chart and figured out that it would have been cheaper on the meter than on the PH fare chart.

Sounds about right.

But whichever way they were quantifying the fares, I doubt if it the meters were actually programmed to show it, or that it was 'in the meter' as the article puts it.