Taxi Driver Online

October 19, 2007 Friday

Taxi drivers in fare rise plea

York Press

TAXI drivers in York want to increase their fares by ten per cent, to cope with tougher working conditions and rising costs.

Increases in diesel prices, additional competition and new rules on the appearance of hackney cars have all made life harder for drivers, York Taxi Association says.

The association has now requested a meeting with City of York Council chiefs to renegotiate their fares structure.

Earlier this week, it was revealed Park & Ride fares in York were set to rise by ten per cent, and association chairman Alan Rowley said a similar rise would be fair for taxis.

Speaking as the council unveiled its new all-black taxi design, Mr Rowley said: "Why should we not have one? Drivers are having to go to greater expense for these new-livery vehicles, diesel is nearly £1 a litre, and we are having to work harder for less money."

He said the council's recent decision to add to the number of hackney plates it issues also justified a fares rise, saying: "They are talking about increasing the number of plates, which in turn takes away a slice of our livelihood. We are, at the moment, collecting the same annual income as two years ago, but with extra costs it's harder for us to make that money."

The council yesterday unveiled its new livery for hackney carriages, consisting of black paintwork and corporate logo.

Mr Rowley welcomed the new regulations, which he said would smarten up the city's taxi fleet. Licence holders have two years to comply with the new look, which includes the council's version of the city's historic coat of arms, along with the words "City of York Hackney Carriage" and the vehicle's plate number on both the nearside and offside door panels.

John Lacy, the council's licensing manager, said: "A standard livery will make it easier for the public, particularly visitors, to readily identify licensed vehicles, which are regulated and safe.

"It will clearly differentiate between private hire and hackney carriages, and also between York taxis that can legitimately trade in the city and those from outside that cannot.

"More importantly, a standard livery will improve the appearance of the fleet and enhance the image of our city, which is one of the most popular tourist destinations in England outside London."

A council spokeswoman said: "The most important issue here is the raising of standards of taxis in the city.

"Our residents and visitors want to see better taxis - ones which are newer, cleaner and more presentable."

She said the crest was being provided by the council to help drivers, and added: "While we cannot rule out that there may be some small costs associated with these improvements, we hope that the people of York and visitors to our city will see an enhanced service."
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What planet is she from, small costs, ffs there is the small cost of re spraying a perfectly good vehicle, or replacing it just because some dipstick decided they like black, As per usual it seems that Yorke's cabbys are taking it lying down instead of fighting it
With regards to the crest the council want it so they should pay for it.