Taxi Driver Online

Mayor rejects flat cab fare to Heathrow

Ken Livingstone today rejected the introduction of flat taxi fares from Heathrow to stop passengers being ripped off.

However, black cab drivers will have to agree fares with a passenger before they set off for a destination outside London, or use their meter to charge.

They will not be allowed to simply hit people with a hefty bill once they arrive at a destination.

The Commons all-party transport select committee recommended that the west London airport follow the example of New York's JFK airport in having regulated fares for yellow cabs travelling into the city centre. But the Mayor rejected the proposal, insisting it was not necessary.

The MPs were told that some cab drivers, who cross the London boundary, are charging passengers £50 to £60 for travelling one or two miles, without warning them of the cost, and argued that adopting the New York system would benefit people arriving at Heathrow, particularly business people.


Under the Transport for London Bill, taxi drivers will have to agree a fare before departure or use their meter to run up the charge.

TfL insisted that the scheme at JFK airport of regulated fares operated only to the city centre, Manhattan, and not other districts.

"TfL does not believe it is necessary to introduce a similar system in the capital as it is not aware of problems with the supply of taxis for equivalent journeys from Heathrow to central London," it said.

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

Surely that has to be how it happens now isn't it?

Or Mr GBC have some of your gang been a tad naughty?

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IDFIMH

And not using his meter as well
He's a Baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaad boy

I dont know why they dont just bung the meters on they will make more being stuck in traffic queues, and I was under the impression that it had to be on from A to B

Well if they're charging £50 quid to go a mile then I don't see how they could make any more

The problem is clearly related to the boundary and the different rules that apply in if they go over it.

Hardly confined to London.

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Taxi Driver Online
www.taxi-driver.co.uk

That'll be the Minicabs who charge up to £90 for 5 passengers then?



As we have always done for decades?



'were told' ? By whom, the Minicab industry? Funny that . . .



How can you 'rip someone off' when it's on the meter? Out of boundary fares can be whatever they like, that applies to any area, not just London. Theres a 'fares fair' scheme available from all the terminals at London Airport.

Not as much as your city bretheren.

I once picked somebody up from Marlow in Bucks and took them to Heathrow in a Galaxy charged them 30.00 they wanted to know why it had cost them 75.00 from Heathrow in a rattly old black cab with a driver who didnt no where he was going what can you say to them

Try 'why do I work 7 days a week for a pitance'

I seem to recall you made a big issue when you were working in High Wycombe about the outrageous prices your operators were charging and how you were left with about a tenner for a 2 hour trip?

£75 for 21.5 miles, I would say "you got off cheap for one of Londons finest" I'll bet he used the "tourist" route.

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Grandad,

Isn't it curious that fixed fares apply to the Underground and the buses, but are deemed unecessary for taxis?

Was there an explanation why?

More than happy to take a fixed fare per person if they allow me to carry 56 like a bus does!!!

ALWAYS PICK ON THE LONDON CABBIE ....

Well Red Ken can't pick on any other cabby.

And you lot (T&G/LTDA) sucker up to him.

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IDFIMH

WE DONT SUCKER UP TO HIM, WE HATE HIM WITH A PASSION AND LONDON IS CONTROLED BY HIM LIKE A COMUNIST STATE WE DO ANYTHING OUT IF LINE AND WE GET STICK FOR IT

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FORUMS ARE A GOOD PLACE TO LET OFF STEAM ! DONT TAKE LIFE TO SERIOUSLY ..

I must say I have never seen a 'Vote for Ken' opinion in 'Taxi' magazine, but the T&G's CTN is as pro Ken as the 'Morning Star'.

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IDFIMH