Taxi Driver Online

Five little words seem to show that the penny's finally dropped. Or the flag's fallen


New Babergh taxi fares set to be approved

https://www.eadt.co.uk/news/traffic/bab ... ns-8242396

Fresh Hackney Carriage cab fares to replace those scrapped at zero hour for risking a breach of equality laws will get the final approval next month, after no objections were raised.

Babergh District Council had been due to introduce a new tariff in April despite warnings from cab firms that the fares would penalise those needing larger vehicles, such as wheelchair users and parents with buggies.

But those fares had to be scrapped just days before being introduced because they were found to “inadvertently enable discrimination”.

Since then, licensing officers have worked with the cab trade on new proposals, which went out for consultation between June 14 and July 12.

No objections were received from the public or the trade, and after being signed off by the council’s licensing committee on Monday afternoon, will now go before cabinet next month for final approval.

If the green light is given, the new fares will be introduced on November 1.

Emma Richbell, licensing officer, said: “Fares for Hackney Carriages in Babergh district have not increased since August 2016.

“The proposed table of fares in which we have consulted is based on proposals from drivers, operators and meter agents, and the aim is to provide an increased income for the trade whilst ensuring taxi travel is affordable for all and those only able to travel in the larger wheelchair accessible vehicles are not penalised.”

The proposals for one-four passengers now start at £3.20 for a day rate with an 18p increase every 176 yards, £4.80 for evenings with 27p every 176 yards and £6.40 for Christmas and New Year with 36p every 176 yards.

For five or more passengers the day rate starts at £4.80 with 27p every 176 yards, £6.40 for evenings with 36p every 176 yards and £8 with 45p every 176 yards on Christmas and New Year.

Those fares are maximum fares and only applicable to Hackney Carriage cabs – those that can be hailed from the roadside, not private hire vehicles.

Steve Hale, from Hale-A-Cab in Sudbury, said: “We seem down at the rank relatively happy with the proposal.

“I think it is fair for the public but if we were looking at any more it might be unaffordable for them.

“It’s been quite difficult running a business in Covid – my trade dropped 70% over the last 18 months.

“It’s picking up again thankfully – there will be a lot of people [taxi operators] out there struggling and this will give them a bit of help.”

The revised fares will crucially be in place before the key Christmas period if approved by cabinet next month.

Hallelujah

Wasn't that difficult, surely?

Mind-blowingly obvious to all bar the ones dealing with the matter.

_________________
IDFIMH

Nothing much to see here, other than saying that councillors must learn lessons. Thanks for letting us know

Better still if the chairman hadn't returned to post after resigning.

Even better still if the whole lot had resigned. On the other hand, would a new lot be any better?


New taxi fares set to come into force this autumn

https://www.eadt.co.uk/news/babergh-tax ... 21-8299452

Fresh Hackney Carriage cab fares will take effect from November 1 in Babergh – and the council has vowed to learn lessons from problems bringing new tariffs into effect.

Babergh District Council was forced to abandon a new tariff of fares for Hackney Carriages – those which can be hailed at roadsides and queue in taxi ranks – just days before they were meant to begin in April.

It was found the proposed fares could “inadvertently enable discrimination” because larger wheelchair accessible vehicles would cost more - and drivers had warned about the problem.

New fares have since been developed in conjunction with taxi firms, and on Monday were given unanimous approval by the council’s cabinet.

New prices will come into force on November 1.

Conservative cabinet member for economic growth, Michael Holt said: “This was first brought to licensing in June ’20 I believe, and I don’t think it puts us in a good light that we are here in September ’21 discussing the same topic.

“I think there are lessons to be learned probably for both members and officers as a collective in the way we approach this sort of thing in the future.”

Conservative cabinet member for the environment Elisabeth Malvisi, said: “The proposed table of fares on which we have recently consulted is based on suggestions from drivers, operators and meter agents.

“The aim is to provide an increased income for the trade whilst ensuring taxi travel is affordable for all, and those who are only able to travel in one of the larger wheelchair-accessible vehicles are not penalised.”

Fares were last assessed five years ago, and it was recognised that costs had increased during that time for operators.

The new fares are now dictated by number of passengers rather than vehicle size.

For one-four passengers fares start at £3.20 for a day rate with an 18p increase every 176 yards, £4.80 for evenings with 27p every 176 yards and £6.40 for Christmas and New Year with 36p every 176 yards.

For five or more passengers the day rate starts at £4.80 with 27p every 176 yards, £6.40 for evenings with 36p every 176 yards and £8 with 45p every 176 yards on Christmas and New Year.

Cab drivers can still use their discretion on whether they charge less, and passengers can still attempt to negotiate a price.

The fares only apply to Hackney Carriage cabs and not private hire taxis.

The start date for the new fares has also been planned to ensure drivers can benefit from the new tariffs in time for the crucial Christmas period, following a harrowing 18 months of vastly reduced income as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.