Taxi Driver Online

The headline was so uninteresting I almost didn't read it, but it's

I mean, what will the average reader of the Slough Observer think of this?

For a start, you'd think they wouldn't use a Google photo of HCs from another council - Windsor & Maidenhead - to illustrate the piece


Taxi fares in Slough could increase by the end of 2025

https://www.sloughobserver.co.uk/news/2 ... -end-2025/


Image: Google/Slough Observer

Standard taxi fares in Slough are set to increase later this year.

In a committee meeting held by the Borough Council on Wednesday, July 2, councillors discussed at length whether the price of public transportation, as well as private hire, should rise.

This comes after members from the Slough Taxi Federation informed the council of their wish to slightly alter the prices came at their request in February of this year.

If approved, the fares across Slough and its surrounding areas will be increased by 20p.



What the current prices are at the moment (Image: Slough Borough Council/Slough Observer)

A representative from the STF (Slough Taxi Federation) said: “After two years, we are requesting a small fare rise which we feel is needed, because the cost of living has gone up, vehicle prices have gone up, and the licensing fees have increased slightly.

“To keep up with the high standard the council expects, we have to look after the cars and the drivers, as the executive cars are expensive to buy and maintain.

“We believe a slight rise, such as the pull-off charge, would increase by 20p.

“So the longer journeys would remain the same sort of fare.

“We believe that after two years, a slight increase should be given.”

The previous increase occurred in the spring of 2022, and if approved, the initial distance of 250 yards, time of 100 seconds, or a combination of both, would increase from £3.40 to £6.



The proposed prices that were put forward (Image: Slough Borough Council/Slough Observer)

The discussion lasted for an hour and 10 minutes, and saw each of the councillors discuss at length whether the ‘small increase’ should be justified.

Many argued that it would, but no decision could be made on the day.

In the official agenda, it read: “Local authorities have a statutory power to set the maximum fares that licensed hackney carriages (taxis) can charge for a journey.

“Under section 65 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 (“the 1976 Act”), local authorities have the power to fix the rates or fares within the district as well for time as distance, and all other charges in connection with the hire of a vehicle or with the arrangements for the hire of a vehicle.



The final draft that was put forward (Image: Slough Borough Council/Slough Observer)

“This is to be aid in respect of the hire of hackney carriages by means of a table (hereafter in this section referred to as a “table of fares”) made or varied under the provisions of this section.”

Following the meeting earlier this month, it was agreed that information about the potential changes should be made public knowledge for a consultation to take place.

It has also confirmed that Trading Standards will be informed if the changes were to come to fruition.

In 2022, the prices increased due to the fuel crisis that impacted numerous areas of the UK.

What's that odd reference to private hire all about? And it's not mentioned again in the piece...


So basically the flagfall or 'pull-off charge' is proposed to increase by 20p? Why not just say that rather than the slightly odd way it's portrayed here...


No, me neither

...not to mention all those images of the current and proposed tariff cards - I mean, what will the average reader make of those?

So what a huge rigmarole to simply say that the flagfall - and thus all trips - would increase by a flat 20p. I think - couldn't really be bothered by the end of it all

(And waiting time seems to be going up a tad as well, but no mention of that in the piece...or maybe I missed it )

Didn't notice at first, but the numbers here actually come from the second two tariff cards, which say 'minimum fare £6' in the top right corner.

So on the one hand, the article is saying the flags are just going up 20p, while the two draft cards portray the T1 flagfall as going up from £3.40 to £6. No chance that'll happen

Yet it seems the proposed tariff cards have been issued by the council?

It's all bullocks

That's a lot of numbers on the tariff card.

Can't see how any punter would make head nor tail of it.

_________________
IDFIMH

Well obviously people at both the council and the Slough Observer can't make head nor tail of it either, Sussex.

Even just looking at the T1 flagall, in the middle graphic (the proposal), it's simply been increased from £3.40 to £3.60, as per the 20p stated in the article.

But what's that Minimum Fare £6 thing in the top left corner of that middle graphic?

Which is then followed through on the third graphic, and the T1 flagfall suddenly becomes £6

But which isn't explained at all in the article.

But chances of T1 flag actually going from the current £3.40 to the £6 on the third tariff card graphic?

That's a rhetorical question, obvious - no response necessary

So basically one second the article says it's a flat 20p on the flag, while then we're told it's proposed to increase the flag by £2.60

But zero explanation in the article...

Couldn't contain my curiosity so had a look for the official papers (always a potentially dangerous rabitt hole, but actually found them quite quickly )

And, believe it or not, the proposed £6 flag seems to be from trading standards

And can anyone work out the precise logic here. No, me neither


Full letter here - they're also proposing to change the tariff timings...

https://democracy.slough.gov.uk/documen ... rsions.pdf

I mean, for a start, if drivers are rounding up fares to the nearest £, or whatever, then what difference will increasing the flagfall by £2.60 make to that?