Taxi Driver Online

Interesting because this appears to be an attempt at regular smaller increases instead of leaving it for years and then 1 big one

https://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/23531115.taxi-fares-set-increase-across-weymouth-portland/

TAXI fares in Weymouth and Portland could soon become more expensive – if an application for change is accepted.

Hackney Carriage operators say that smaller, more frequent, increases to help meet rising costs are likely to be more acceptable to the public and fairer to drivers.

Dorset councillors are next week (May 24) being asked to consider a rise in maximum fares and minor changes to the way waiting times are calculated together with the use of automatic meters linked to a calendar and time function.

The making of meters automatic has not been recommended by council officers who say there is case law which does allow taxi operators to charge less than the local maximum rate, or to decide to set a lower rate on their meter, if they choose.

Similar fare increase applications have been successful in recent months in the neighbouring Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council area.

Outside the BCP area Dorset has two taxi zones with Weymouth and Portland having its own designated area, slightly different from the rest of the county.

Fares south of the Ridgeway were last changed in April 2022, along with the rest of the Dorset Council area.

Said a report to the licensing committee: “The Weymouth Private Hire and Hackney Carriage Association have requested a further small rise this year, as they believe that smaller annual increases are accepted by the travelling public better than infrequent larger ones.”

Most of the hackney carriage operators who responded to the proposals backed the request, although not all, one arguing that many clients will not be able to afford the increase and, at the moment, fuel prices have been falling, reducing operating costs.

The effect of the proposed rise for a five-mile journey from 7am to 11pm would see an increase in the maximum charge from £16 to £16.70 and for the same length trip between 11am and 7am from £18.60 to £19.30. Higher charges apply, ranging from 50 per cent more to double, depending on which public holiday it is, with variations in charges for the number of people, pets and luggage being carried.

One of the operators has also asked that the higher, night rate, be applied from 10pm rather than 11pm, which will also be considered by the committee.

If the Licensing Committee agree to set the maximum tariff as requested a public consultation lasting two weeks will take place – with the item brought back to the committee should any public comments be received. If no comments are forthcoming it is recommended that the new tariff comes into effect on 1 July 2023.

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

What on earth have calendar control meters got to do with not being able to discount?

_________________
IDFIMH

That's the bit that stuck out for me as well, Sussex.

But I assumed they meant that local providers were programming their meters to different rates below the official tariff, therefore it wouldn't really be feasible to do that with calendar meters. Or, at least, it would make it a lot more difficult, and would all become very messy.

For example, if a firm advertised that its meters wouldn't clock T2 until midnight, rather than T2 starting at 10pm. Or if a firm wanted to charge a lower T2 premium than the official rate. Or only charge T2 at weekends, while the official tariff applies all week.

Of course, whether or not HC meters can be programmed to show anything other than the official tariff is a disputed point anyway, and has never been clarified by case law? (As opposed to being able to charge less than the official tariff, rather than displaying less than the official tariff on the meter?? )

are Dorset deregulated ? If not then meters must be set to the official council tariff not a tariff of the operators choosing surely

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

Not convinced that would be legal.

_________________
IDFIMH

The operative words being 'not convinced'. It's always been a bit of a grey area...

But given that it's been a moot point for years, and that it's not unusual for some in the trade to ask that their meters show less than the official tariff, then certainly wouldn't be surprised if some councils allowed it. And it's certainly consistent with being able to charge less than the regulated tariff...

(And I doubt if fares are 'deregulated' here in the sense meant by Edders...)

And now been approved

https://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/23547012.green-light-taxi-fare-rises-weymouth-portland/

UNANIMOUS backing has been given by councillors to a proposal for an increase in taxi fares for the Weymouth and Portland area.

rest is rehash

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