Taxi Driver Online

Consumers pay more under new taxi system


Most consumers will pay more to use taxis than they did before the new fare system was introduced, and some will pay as much as twice the old price, according to analysis by The Sunday Business Post.

Most consumers will pay more to use taxis than they did before the new fare system was introduced, and some will pay as much as twice the old price, according to analysis by The Sunday Business Post.

The system, which was brought in last week, introduces a national maximum taxi fare. Under the old system, the maximum fare varied considerably across the country as the charges were set by 35 local authorities.

About 85 per cent of fares under the new system are more expensive than before, according to an analysis of the 1,120 sample fares listed in the Taxi Regulator’s guide to fares. The areas where taxi fares increased the most included Tipperary town; Tralee, Co Kerry; Charleville and Cobh in Co Cork; Mullingar in Co Westmeath and Donegal.

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

Now who was citing centralised control for the UK?

CC

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

wasn't it thier hero "John Fingleton"?

have you got a link captain??? and will it apply to Scotland??

Don't Carlisle punters pay more this year than they did last year? I know Manchester punters do. Don't london Punters pay more in 2006 than they did in 2005 and 2004? Didn't Northern Ireland get a fare increase this year to bring them into line with the rest of the UK? Don't Edinburgh punters pay more this year then they did last year? How about Reigate and Banstead, Waverley, Camarthanshire, New Forest, the list is endless. Even Beijing got a fare increase this year so what point are you trying to make? Should drivers in Eire stand still or go backwards just because you have a preference for local councils to set Taxi fares?

In Eire the uniform changes stem from the review of the Commission for Taxi Regulation which considered a number of areas relating to fares, including:

• Simpler and more unified fare structures across the country

• Consistency in relation to items such as hiring charges, premiums applied to unsocial hours and other extras

• Removing disparity between regions in both fare structures and rates

• New taximeter areas that reflect the needs of consumers and assist the provision of a good quality, consumer focused and responsive taxi service

• Control of fares for all journeys with every fare charged on the meter, based on the distance travelled or time elapsed during the journey.
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When commenting on the review Ger Dearing the Commissioner for Taxi Regulation, said, “I would like to thank all those who submitted their views. It is clear that change is needed in order to improve this aspect of industry for both consumers and operators.

The Commission for Taxi Regulation will in future carry out systematic and regular taxi fare reviews.
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So perhaps you can explain why Carlisle should get fare increase and the drivers in Eire should not?

Regards

JD

It's good to see you are being your usual disingenuous self on this topic, JD. But, if there were to be a "national" fare for England and Wales, or for the UK, at what level would you set it? The highest present tarrif? The lowest present tarrif? or an "average" of them all? It's as clear as a bell to me that a "one size fits all" policy in this matter would mean huge increases for some, or huge decreases for others. With no one being particularly happy, whatever the outcome. I am clearly not opposing fare increases on a regular basis, but this should surely be a local area decision?

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Former taxi driver

I have a strong inclination to agree with J D. A one tariff system would be a good way of working, but it would also have to include a set tariff for private hire. although I am not too sure whether the OFT would look too kindly on this

As usual Jimbo you fail to grasp the reasoning behind this decision. Just so you understand the mechanics behind the decision you first have to understand the legislation which brought it about.

For your information the Irish Taxi trade is now Governed by the 2003 Taxi regulation act, which has its own independant "Commission and Commissioner for Taxi Regulation" and is responsible for the regulation of taxis, P/H and limousines.

The legislation is all about a "new National code" for Taxis. So when you have taken in the fact that local authorities no longer have the power to set fares then perhaps you will understand why the fares are being set on a National level and by the new National body?

2.2 Consultation Process for Taximeter Areas

Section 41 of the Taxi Regulation Act, 2003

(Appendix 1) provides that the Commission for Taxi Regulation may declare any area to be a Taximeter Area in which a taxi may operate for the carriage of a passenger for reward within the area and extend or otherwise alter the boundary of an existing taximeter area.

http://www.taxi.ie/20051111041731_consult_paper.pdf

Please surface when those facts have sunk in.

JD

Patronising MF.

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Former taxi driver

Question , do they also regulate the Hackney Fairs as well,

lol now now Jimbo! I was only pointing out that legislation in Eire had changed and there was nothing anyone could do about the new National fare structure.

I don't see an awful lot wrong in having a universal maximum fare structure, those who want to discount fares will always have that option.

JD

Indeed they will, but, as in Amsterdam, if you don't know the system and haggle BEFORE you travel, you won't get a discount, will you. Two tier fares, to enable drivers to rip off the unwary.

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Former taxi driver

I don't see the relevance of this post Jimbo. The mechanism to discount fares already exists in every authority. Authorities can only set maximum fares.

JD

As you know Hackneys in Eire are equivalent to our Private Hire vehicles and just like our P/H system the fare structure is not regulated.

JD

Its the Republic of Ireland Skippy

CC

_________________
Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin