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Have your say on proposed new Melton taxi fares

https://www.meltontimes.co.uk/business/ ... es-3244185


Image: Melton Times

Taxi operators and passengers in the Melton borough have less than a week now to comment on proposals to amend some of the maximum fares which can be charged.

Melton Borough Council, which regulates local cab firms and issues licences, is reviewing fares for the first time in seven years and is running a public consultation on suggested new prices until next Wednesday.

If adopted, the changes would see a 50p increase on the first third of a mile for both daytime and night time journeys for up to four passengers.

This represents a 20 per cent rise on daytime trips (7am to 11pm) and 16 per cent on night time rides (11pm to 7am), for that first third of a mile.

For every mile thereafter, day fares will increase by 20p to £1.80 and night journeys would stay at the current price.

Waiting rates would also rise by £5 an hour whatever time you are travelling at.

Firms will also be able to charge customers up to £100 if their cab is soiled by a passenger or an animal travelling with them or if they spill food or drink inside the vehicle.

The proposals also seek the introduction of new extra charges for parties of more than four passengers travelling in Melton taxis on bank holidays, including Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.

The first third of a mile would be charged at £7, every mile thereafter £3.20 and a waiting rate of £40 per hour.

Councillor Alison Freer-Jones, the council’s portfolio holder for climate, access and engagement, said: “The last fare review was seven years ago, the newly-proposed table of fares aims to ensure that taxi fares are suitable for both taxi service providers and users at the present time.

“We encourage all those interested to view the new table of fares and contact us with any objections that they have to the proposed changes before the deadline.”

Anyone who wants to comment on the proposed new fares must do so by midnight on Wednesday (May 26).

Go to http://www.melton.gov.uk/consultations to see all of the proposed fares and to respond to the consultation process.

A paper copy is also available to view at the council’s Parkside offices upon request - to make an appointment email contactus@melton.gov.uk or call 01664 502502

If no objections are received or are received and subsequently withdrawn, the new table of fares will apply from Monday July 26.

That's presumably what Grandad was asking about recently. I have zero clue about the fare setting procedures south of the border, so will say nowt, but if it's just being publicised now then the consulation period doesn't seem very long

good luck getting punters to pay that most our way get very upset at paying any more than £3.00 pub to home on xmas day !

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

Not really sure it can be considered a consultation period, more an objection period.

Although should objections be made councillors will have to consider them.

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IDFIMH

They would if mug drivers didn't price their trade so low.

If punters don't want to pay fares that allow drivers to earn a reasonable wage, then let those punters walk.

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IDFIMH

The report is also wrong. The day rate for a 4 passenger vehicle is proposed to go up 50p on the flag fall and also 20 pence a mile. the night rate is just 50p on the flag but no increase on the mileage. The day rate for 5-8 seaters is to go up 10p per mile with no increase in flagfall and the night rate for 5-8 passengers has no change at all. The increase was proposed by a part time driver who drives a 4 seater but his main job is an ice cream man. I have not found 1 driver who is happy with this proposal but none of them will put anything else forward. Most have said that they will just charge what they like and not use the meter, which is what they do already. The chap who proposed it is one of the worst for not using the meter and charging over the top.
I do know that there has actually been an objection but I think this will go through without going to the committee at all.

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Grandad,

If there is no objections the new tariff would be applicable from midnight 26 May

Our Council do not have a clue when it comes to these things. We had this discussion 2 years ago about the previous review where the Council made a complete pigs breakfast of the whole thing and it got knocked back due to the mess. This year everything is being dealt with by delegated authority. The review has been agreed by one person and any objections will be reviewed by the same person. It will get no where near a committee. I know that at least one objection has been submitted but I do not think it will even get a mention. As I said in an earlier post, the drivers do what they want anyway.
I have written to the licensing "team" and told them what is going to happen so when it inevitably does I will be on hand to say "I told you so".

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Grandad,

Not unless the objection is withdrawn.

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IDFIMH

So the ice cream man wants more 'lolly' rather than fares 'frozen'

But as well as all the procedural deficiencies you outline, the real world practices with regard to the actual fares charged sounds like object lesson in the disconnect between councillors and bureaucrats on the one hand, and what actually happens at the coal face on the other

The objection will not be withdrawn and the Council will say that it was considered under delegated authority and implement it from June 1st in my opinion. they don't have a licensing committee until next Wednesday and the new committee are not due to meet until 2 weeks after that and they have to do mandatory training before they can do anything.

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Grandad,

Then they are acting outside of the law.

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IDFIMH

I am sure that they are but non of the drivers will say anything.

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Grandad,

Hmmmmm.

Not sure it's only drivers who can point out the law of the land to civil servants and councillors.

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IDFIMH

I am told that the person that I know who has objected will be sending in an email on Monday asking for the date and time of the committee meeting that will be considering the objections because they wish to attend. they will be quoting the relevant part of the act.

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Grandad,