Taxi Driver Online

North Northamptonshire Council agrees to 'harmonise' taxi fares

A council has agreed to "harmonise" taxi fares, which will see prices go up, despite concerns from drivers.

North Northamptonshire Council's licensing committee on Tuesday decided to standardise fares across the area.

The new unitary council said it was to bring fees across Corby, Kettering, East Northamptonshire and Wellingborough in line with each other.

Taxi drivers in some areas said the changes would increase prices by "too much".

In Corby and Wellingborough, the changes would mean a two-mile (3.2km) journey would increase from £4.90 to £6.80.

While in Kettering the current fare for a two-mile journey is £6, and would increase to £6.80.

Neil Reilly, from Corby Hackney Owners Association, said: "We're not objecting to the fare rise, we've all put in for an increase, what we're objecting to is the massive increase that they are imposing.

"We are all facing a cost of living crisis and to inflict these prices will not only have a drastic impact on our businesses but also on the lives of those who still have no option but to pay them."

He said taxi drivers were going to look into any potential legal challenge they could take against the decision.

The decision has yet to be ratified by the council's executive.

_________________
IDFIMH

Corby taxi boss attacks 'mafia' North Northants Council after huge fare increase is approved

https://www.northantslive.news/news/nor ... ia-7638454

Hackney cabs in North Northants can now charge up to £6.80 for a 2-mile journey

The leader of Corby's hackney cab owners has called North Northamptonshire Council (NNC) a "mafia" and warns there are "dark days ahead" after the council voted in favour of a rise in what Hackney cabs can charge. Corby's taxi drivers have previously threatened to strike over the proposals that were passed by the council's Cabinet on Tuesday, September 27.

Under a new harmonised fare across the whole of North Northamptonshire, hackney cabs can now charge up to £6.80 for a 2-mile journey - coming out to a 39 per cent rise. NNC decided to harmonize fares across the old district councils of Wellingborough, Kettering, Corby, and East Northants in light of their unification in April 2021.

However, Neil Reilly, secretary of Corby Hackney Owners Association, says the price hike shows the council is dismissive of any negative public reaction: "They move on to the next controversial policy in the hope of the public forgetting about the previous one".

Maximum taxi fares are set by local authority licensing committees, which previously meant the four separate borough councils within North Northamptonshire. Taxi companies and associations submit requests for a fare increase to those authorities to match expenses and fuel costs etc.

With the onset of the fuel crisis, Corby Hackney Owners Association proposed an increase in the maximum fare from the current rate of £4.90 per two miles to £5.60. The other taxi zones also submitted fare increases to NNC.

On May 9, NNC's Licensing and Appeals Committee recommended that instead of approving each individual request, tariffs should be increased for each zone to a new harmonised fare structure. The new proposed maximum fare was placed at £6.80 for two miles.

This is was what drove Corby's hackney drivers to collide with NNC. Their proposed fare increase would have been a price increase of 14 per cent, yet the new £6.80 maximum fare NNC have passed is a hike of 39 per cent.

NNC said earlier this month, "Alignment of fares is considered by the council to be important, so that all residents within North Northamptonshire will be subject to the same maximum fare, regardless of where they live or work."

Council reports show the new harmonised tariff is based on Kettering's table of fares. Mr Reilly said previously, "It doesn't work that way. All the towns are different with their demographics and how the people use their taxis."

The decision to introduce the fare increase was due to take place on June 16. However, NNC Leader Coun Jason Smithers deferred the decision to "ensure that myself and the Executive have as much information as possible and that we make the right decision for North Northamptonshire."

After a new report was published in early September outlining all the council's options, the Cabinet put the decision to a vote at their meeting on Tuesday evening, September 27, and it passed. There will now be a 14-day consultation period on the new maximum fare tariff.

Mr Reilly said he was "absolutely flabbergasted by the decision. This council doesn't care about bad publicity."

Councillor David Brackenbury, the council’s Executive Member for Growth and Regeneration, said: "the tariff is the maximum amount that can be charged by Hackney Carriage Operators for all journeys starting and ending in the prescribed geographical area. Hackney carriage drivers can charge a lower fare than the maximum stated within the table of fares, but it is an offence to charge more."

He added: "I think what we have here achieves a good balance of a suitable increase, while establishing parity across the area."

However, Mr Reilly says: "They talk about it not being fair that customers across the region are paying different rates. Then they tell us in Corby that we should charge less if we don't like it! Where's the harmonisation there?"

He continued: "They state that the large operator can agree to a lower rate, but there is no large operator in Corby. There are 114 individually owned cabs. It will be chaos if we don't all charge the same."

Mr Reilly and others at the Corby Hackney Owners Association are now once again considering industrial action, which may even include a strike. "We're currently in talks with the National Private Hire and Taxi Association and a follow up meeting is planned for all Corby taxi owners to decide on how we move forward."

Speaking on NNC's decision process over the fare hike, Mr Reilly said: "Consultations are just for show. The decision is already made and they'll implement regardless of public opinion.

"It is truly dark days ahead for the good hard-working people of North Northamptonshire until we can rid ourselves of this mafia that has installed themselves in the council."

The decision to raise the tariff of fares in North Northamptonshire is now open for public consultation for 14 days. If there are no objections, the new system will come into effect immediately.

Just a little context here

Corby is what you call a "taxi town " they have relied on cheap fares to generate lots of work the Hackneys regularly get flag downs on their way back to the ranks and ever since I have been in the trade it was known regionally for how busy it's hackneys were and for the healthy ratio of hacks to PH although that has tipped more towards the PH boys in the last 20 years

I can understand how this rise might tip the balance as it is not the most affluent of towns although there has been a big swing towards affluent commuters with the vast swathes of housing estates built over the last 30 years however the inner areas are still a bit like an inland version of Blackpool and commuters are not well renown for taxi usage

I remember being quoted a statistic for the Peterborough southern township which accounts for about 25% the population but according to some of the big PH firms less than 5 % of trade because it is filled with commuters who moved there because of the ready availability of housing with good road and rail connections

_________________
lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector

Council hikes Corby taxi fares despite over 500 objections and threats of strikes

The average hackney cab journey in Corby will now cost 39% more after North Northamptonshire Council's (NNC) executive approved plans this morning, Thursday November 10, to hike the maximum drivers can charge The decision was carried despite the council receiving over 500 objections and a petition signed by over 1,500 people who are against the plans.

Under a new harmonised fare across the whole of North Northamptonshire, hackney cabs can now charge up to £6.80 for a 2-mile journey - a 39 per cent rise. NNC already harmonised fares across the old district councils of Wellingborough, Kettering and East Northants in September, but today voted to extend it to the Corby zone too.

Corby's taxi drivers have previously threatened to strike over the proposals. The Secretary of Corby Hackney Owners Association, Neil Reilly, called NNC a "mafia" when proposals were passed by the cabinet in September and is now "absolutely devastated" by today's decision.

Maximum taxi fares are set by local authority licensing committees, which previously meant the four separate borough councils within North Northamptonshire. Taxi companies and associations submit requests for a fare increase to those authorities to match expenses and fuel costs etc.

With the onset of the fuel crisis, Corby Hackney Owners Association and other associations in the old zones proposed an increase in the maximum fare from the old rate. On May 9, NNC's Licensing and Appeals Committee recommended that instead of approving each individual request, tariffs should be increased for each zone to a new harmonised fare structure. The new proposed maximum fare was placed at £6.80 for two miles.

This drove Corby's hackney drivers to collide with NNC. Their proposed fare increase would have been a price increase of 14 per cent, yet the new £6.80 maximum fare NNC have passed is a hike of 39 per cent.

The decision to introduce the fare increase was due to take place on June 16. However, NNC Leader Cllr Jason Smithers deferred the decision to "ensure that myself and the Executive have as much information as possible and that we make the right decision for North Northamptonshire."

After a new report was published in early September outlining all the council's options, the Cabinet passed the proposals in a vote on September 27. This did not, however, include Corby, whose fare increase was delayed until after a 14-day consultation period.

In the report presented to the executive this morning showed 515 objections were received relating to the Corby zone. The majority of these echoed the same reasons to reject the plans: that the rise is unfair during a cost of living crisis, and the lack of support for the plans from Corby's hackney cab drivers.

One resident said they found the fare rise "utterly outrageous. It's bad enough that the bus fares within Corby are now a complete ripoff for local people reliant on public transport without the council ruining the local taxi service too."

A pensioner who admitted they would not be able to afford the new tariff said: "the Corby taxis have always been affordable to the majority of the towns population. If these increases and new terms are accepted, you will force people to walk home and could lead to increased attacks /violence on our streets".

Another argued: "This is absolutely not what we want for our town - and we don't want Kettering taxi drivers taking business from our own Corby drivers. This will cause serious financial issues to Corby town folk- especially at this time of countrywide financial crisis."

Several councillors spoke at the meeting, repeatedly calling Corby's taxi trade culture "unique." Cllr William Colquhoun, Labour councillor for Lloyds ward in Corby, said he "didn't understand" the new fare system, despite being a former cabby himself.

Before the fare increase was passed, Cllr Jason Smithers, Leader of the Council, said "we do not underestimate the level of feeling in this matter. However, there was a general feeling from other members of Hackney Associations that this was welcomed."

NNC have repeatedly assured residents that "the tariff is the maximum amount that can be charged by Hackney Carriage Operators for all journeys starting and ending in the prescribed geographical area. Hackney carriage drivers can charge a lower fare than the maximum stated within the table of fares, but it is an offence to charge more."

The new table of fayres will come into effect in Corby on Thursday, November 24.

_________________
IDFIMH

this will be trouble as taxi usage will probably nosedive with these new fa(y)res

the applecart will be well and truly upset

BUT the drivers could agree to collectively offer to discount the fares down to a level just above previous, however the punters see the rate on the meter and that is what they will have in mind

_________________
lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector

What are the chances of that, though? Maybe it could work if 100% of the cars worked on the same circuit, say, and the circuit set the fares (and, even then, individual drivers likely to go off-script as regards rank work).

But, more likely, drivers will work for more than one despatch offices, and likely to be quite a few independents as well. So it could all get very messy, especially in the current 'cost of living crisis' climate, even if 100% of drivers decided to charge 100% of the new fares.

I mean, there's apparently been a lot of abuse and attacks on shop workers because of rocketing food prices. Particularly the price of cheese

The first part of this is essentially just rehash, until the HCA's stuff in the second half.

But more sabre-rattling about a judicial review that very probably won't happen.

In the strictly legal sense, difficult to see any obvious grounds for challenge. The council will just say that it's simply the downside of necessary harmonisation, and that all the necessary procedures have been followed, and any judge is unlikely to really appreciate the trade's point of view


Corby taxi boss devastated by council's decision to hike fares by 39%

https://www.northantslive.news/news/nor ... ls-7807647

Neil Reilly is now looking into a judicial review of the decision

The leader of Corby's Hackney cab drivers has said he is "absolutely devastated" with North Northamptonshire Council's (NNC) decision to raise taxi fares in the town. The council is set to impose a 39 percent rise in, despite more than 500 objections from residents and threats of strike action over the issue from Corby Hackney Owners' Association.

Under a new harmonised fare across the whole of North Northamptonshire, hackney cabs can now charge up to £6.80 for a 2-mile journey. NNC already harmonised fares across the old district councils of Wellingborough, Kettering and East Northants in September, but NNC's Executive voted yesterday, November 10, to extend it to the Corby zone too.

The Secretary of Corby Hackney Owners Association, Neil Reilly, called NNC a "mafia" when proposals were passed by the cabinet in September. He said yesterday's decision will lead to "total confusion" and is now looking into the possibility of a judge looking into the legality of the decision.

The maximum taxi fares were different across the north of the county because they were set by the four borough councils, before they were replaced by the new unitary North Northamptonshire Council. Taxi companies and associations usually play a significant role in helping decide the rate their customers pay by submitting requests for a fare increase to the council to match expenses and fuel costs.

Corby Hackney Owners Association and other associations in the old zones proposed an increase in the maximum fare after the onset of the fuel crisis in late 2021. But NNC's Licensing and Appeals Committee recommended that instead of approving each individual request in each borough, tariffs should be increased for each zone so fares were the same right across its patch.

Corby's cabbies put forward a request for a 14 per cent rise on their patch, which is significantly lower than the 39 per cent the council has decided to impose. The town's taxi drivers are so unhappy with the increase that they have threatened strike action.

The decision to introduce the fare increase was originally due to take place on June 16. However, NNC Leader Cllr Jason Smithers deferred the decision to "ensure that myself and the Executive have as much information as possible and that we make the right decision for North Northamptonshire."

Several councillors called Corby's taxi trade and culture "unique" during the meeting yesterday. But they still decided to impose the increase, despite 515 objections from residents. Before the vote, Cllr Jason Smithers, Leader of the Council, said "we do not underestimate the level of feeling in this matter. However, there was a general feeling from other members of Hackney Associations that this was welcomed."

After the meeting, Mr Reilly said: "I’m absolutely devastated by the decision. We’ve worked tirelessly over the last six months objecting to this mammoth fare increase.

"Where we sought clarification from National Private Hire and Taxi Association. The council sort clarification from James Button, a well known licensing expert. Both of these organisations are advisory and give best opinion. This problem is one that has never been tested in law as most Hackney owners will just implement the council’s new tariff."

NNC have insisted that the increase is only a maximum limit, so taxi drivers themselves can decide to charge their customers less. However, Mr Reilly disagreed.

He said: "We’ve said time and time again that where the council were insisting that we could set our meters at less, this was fundamentally incorrect." He added operators are now "totally unsure of what they can do.

"One taxi service is trying to implement a different tariff. This will mean there will be Hackneys in Corby that will operate on different tariffs. This will lead to total confusion for the members of the public and further destroy confidence in our trade."

He now believes Corby's Hackney Association have "no choice but to send this to a lawyer to see if we have a case for a Judicial Review." A judicial review is a a court proceeding in which a judge reviews the lawfulness of a decision made by a public body.

Mr Reilly said nothing on the possibility of industrial action, including a strike Corby's cabbies have been threatening since June.

He ended his statement with: "Let’s call this for what it is. It’s East Northamptonshire’s view of harmonisation, not North Northamptonshire. We’re only North Northamptonshire Council in name."

The new table of fares will come into effect in Corby on Thursday, November 24.

Doubt if the council are saying that the meters should be set at less if drivers or offices want to, precisely.

But he's right that it will all get very messy, because there's likely to be more drivers and offices setting individual rates, particularly for pre-booked runs, and as regards haggling on the ranks.

So people will get 30% off a run into town, say, and will then always expect that, for example when they're going home pished, they get into a car, the driver starts the meter as normal, and there's a big kick off at the other end.

We went through a very similar process over 20 years ago, when the council harmonized fares over the zones, and many fares went up pretty substantially.

Of course, that sort of thing will always happen everywhere, to a greater or lesser extent, and a lot depends on how the local trade reacts. But the higher fares are overall, and in particular when there's a sudden big surge in the official tariff, then that's more likely to result in confusion and conflict

I don't think that will be the case. Maybe a few will moan for a few weeks, and maybe some will get a bus.

But in a year's time, I doubt many drivers will be moaning or discounting, and punters will still be using taxis.

_________________
IDFIMH

This is Corby it is a world apart from Brighton

_________________
lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector

Indeed.

But in a year's time this issue will not be an issue.

_________________
IDFIMH