Taxi Driver Online

Lincolnshire Echo

October 2, 2006 Monday

HEADLINE: Taxi drivers in search of fare deal price rise

Taxi fares in Lincoln could go up by as much as 40p if drivers get their way.

Hackney Carriage drivers say increased running costs and rising fuel prices have forced them to consider a hike in fares, just 18 months after the last price rise.

Drivers have now asked the city council, which controls the fares, to agree to up the prices again at a meeting due to be held tomorrow.

If the council gives its permission, an average Hackney Carriage fare within the city boundary is likely to go up between 20p to 40p.

James Hart (55), of Bristol Drive, Lincoln, has been working as a taxi driver for the past 22 years and is the chairman of Lincoln Taxi Owners' Association,

He said that increased running costs have left the majority of the city's 30 black cab drivers with no choice but to ask for a higher fare.

"We have an annual review of fares with the city council, but they set the fares and we have to get their approval for any increase," he said. "It's been 18 months since the last increase and prices of fuel have gone up considerably this year, but that is just one aspect of the problem.

"We now have to have wheelchair accessible vehicles and they can cost up to £35,000 brand new. You can get them second hand but they have a higher mileage on them.

"We also have to keep the maintenance of the vehicles up to a very high standard." Although the city council controls the number of vehicles running and sets the metered fare, drivers own their own cars and the council has no input in the general running of the taxis.

Mr Hart said that taxis were the only form of public transport that did not receive any subsidies.

"Airlines get cheaper fuel and buses pay no duty on the fuel they buy but still increase fares," he said.

Fellow cabbie Dave Gillard (59), from Cranwell, said he agreed with the price increase.

"Takings are generally down at the moment and I don't think many people will mind a 20p increase," he said.

"I've been driving in Lincoln for about 15 months now and to be honest I don't think people would notice if it went up £1."

Shop assistant Veronica Bloom (50),of Brant Road, disagrees. She said: "I think they're too expensive anyway. Twenty pence doesn't sound that much but I thought fuel prices had just come down."

A decision on whether to put the prices up will be made at a meeting of the full council in Lincoln's Guildhall at 6.30pm tomorrow.

What new scheme might cost you...

Here is what black cab customers could be paying for fares if the pay increase is accepted by the city council.

Prices are approximate and all originate from outside Lincoln railway station.

1. To Lincoln Cathedral

Old price £3.20 New price £3.40

2. To the Bentley Hotel,

North Hykeham

Old price £9.60 New price £10.20

3. To Lincoln's Ermine estate

Old price £5.00 New price £5.40

4. To Sincil Bank

Old price £3.40 New price £3.60

5. To Hartsholme Country Park

Old price £5.00 New price £5.40
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Heres the rise you got in February 2005 jimbo but this article is more memorable for what was written about the poor service in Lincoln?

How do you account for that. Is this what you meant by a qauality service?

Lincolnshire Echo

February 26, 2005

HEADLINE: Call this a 'fare' price for a taxi?

Passengers could soon be paying more for a ride in a black cab - despite the service being branded disorganised in a new report. Drivers of Lincoln's 30 Hackney carriages are asking for an extra five per cent price increase on fares.

This would increase the average price for a one mile journey by at least 20 pence.

The rise comes despite criticism from a report, commissioned by the Government, which said the service needs more organisation and development.

Although the report, which was carried out by specialist analysts the Halcrow Group, said taxis are generally meeting the demand of customers it added that more needs to be done to improve their overall performance and enhance disabled access.

It stated: "Hackneys do not organise themselves in a manner conducive to providing a service." Hackney carriage operators in Lincoln believe the price increase is necessary to meet the rise in fuel costs.

Chairman of Lincoln taxi owners association James Hart said: "The increase we want is in line with the rise in fuel costs.

"Big airlines such as British Airways increase their fares because of such matters and so we are just doing the same." Mr Hart said he accepted the comments in the report and wanted to capitalise on it by marketing the service more.

"I can see the point of view in the report," he said. "We want to set up a telephone booth at the rank by St Mary's Street station so people can call up for one of our taxis if there is not one there.

"We also want to print cards to put in bars, cafes, the library and elsewhere to advertise the service." Lincoln City Council will have the power to decide whether the increase should go ahead. A council spokesman said the service was meeting customer demand .

"The council, as the licensing authority, has the power to licence and control the number of Hackney carriages in Lincoln," she said.

"As well as stating what type of vehicle can be licensed, the authority tests the vehicles twice a year." The council has also helped promote the use of the taxis by giving lists of contact numbers to charities and social care groups.

Lincolnshire County Council uses a number of the black cab firms along with private hire firms as a means of providing transport for people with disabilities.

Assistant head of transport services for the county council, Denise Carr said: "Basically, the more vehicles we have got which cater for people with particular needs the better.

"The more vehicles we have to use the better service we can provide for people." Members of the council's Licensing committee will meet on Wednesday at 5.30pm.

The meeting will be held in committee rooms two and three, City Hall, in Beaumont Fee, Lincoln.

Do Lincoln's hackney carriages provide a good service? Should fares rise? Write to Your View, Lincolnshire Echo, Brayford Wharf East, Lincoln LN5 7AT. Or e-mail yourview@lincolnshireecho.co.uk
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I suspect that report they mention in that article is from the OFT report.

Regards

JD

Golly, you're stalking me.

On the above.

The quote from Veronica Bloom. You seem to have (accidentally?) missed a bit of her quote:"I never use taxi's"

The problem identified by Halcrow has been successfully solved by the introduction of the highly recommended "www.taxi-call.info"

Should this not be in a new section called "History"?

Hardly "News" is it?

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Former taxi driver

There's no fooling you, Sherlock. Is there?

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Former taxi driver

I thought the post was relative in respect of the first post because it highlighted the last pay fare rise. By the way, if I had looked at the date on that first post I wouldn't have posted it because its four month old and I think we may have covered it? I have another one here about wheelchairs which i'm sure you are aware but I won't post that because I think its a little toooo sensitive. lol

Regards

JD

Publish and be damned.

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Former taxi driver

Is it the one about PH doubling fares for Wheelchair users?

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Former taxi driver

I wouldn't do that to you jimbo. lol

You publish it you wan't but your not going to twist my arm? lol

Regards

JD

PM me a reminder. I really don't know what you are alluding to?

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Former taxi driver

2005 I think, lady in a wheelchair, you gave out your email and phone number. I'm afraid I can't divulge them. lol

Regards

JD

Do go on...

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Former taxi driver

You can of course, suspect all you like.

But if you really want to know the source, it was the Halcrow report.

Of course I suspect you figured that too.

Just another piece of poor reporting by the local rag.

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Former taxi driver

Well the article does state it was "Halcow", Jimbo, so it wasn't hard to figure out and considering they had already informed us? Halcrow did the survey for OFT report so I assumed the article referred to that report?

That's simple enough.

Tell me Jimbo, if you were excluded from your main Taxi rank what would you do?

Regards

JD

Well, Sherlock, I am not excluded from any Taxi rank, so I cannot answer that question.

Are you asking hypothetically?

Did you go to the NCC?

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Former taxi driver