90 PRIVATE HIRE AND TAXI MONTHLY
MARCH 2009 FARES... BOSS EXPLAINS LIMIT
ON TAXI FARE INCREASE IN WOLVERHAMPTON
Councillor Carl Husted, the vice-chairman of Wolverhampton’s licens- ing committee, says he decided against “exces- sive” rises in taxi fares because of concern over wheelchair users. He said that limiting fare increases to four per cent on weekdays was a better bet than going for a 12 per cent hike. As the Express and Star has reported, fares rose by 12 per cent last month, but only on Fridays and Saturdays, running from 11pm to 6am.
The rise will hit revellers hard, but bosses have agreed to limit it to four per cent after canvass- ing opinion from drivers and the public. Taxi fares for passen- gers using black cabs in Wolverhampton are to be reviewed every year from now on in a bid to avoid large hikes
in the future.
The higher increase will see the cost of a seven- mile journey go up by £1.58 to £13.88, but below the national average of £14.50. Councillor Husted told the Express and Star: “Our reasons are that a big rise across the board would have put an extra cost on vulnerable peo- ple, such as wheelchair users who have to use hackney carriages and are unable to use buses. “Also, we believe an excessive rise would have pushed many users of hackney carriages towards other, cheaper modes of transport. “The majority of the drivers wanted the lower increase and we have listened to them. We will always put what is best for the people of Wolverhampton first.” The planned increase had split the opinions
of drivers, who are rep- resented by two separate associations. Members of the Taxi Owners Association (TOA), which represents half the city’s 115 cab- bies, said that a blanket 12 per cent increase in fares seven days a week would be fair because prices have not been raised since 2006. But NPHA affiliated Wolverhampton Hack- ney Carriage Drivers Association objected. This then led to the compromise which was thrashed out. Taxi fares for passengers using black cabs in Wolverhampton are to be reviewed every year from now on in a bid to avoid large hikes in the future. Nasim Ullah, spokesman for WHCDA, said that: “I think it’s a good thing that the charges will be looked at more regularly.”
RUNNYMEDE CAB COMPANIES ANGRY AT LICENCE FEE INCREASE PROPOSALS
Taxi firms in Runnymede are up in arms over council proposals to increase their licence fees by up to eight per cent after the compa- nies agreed to freeze customer fares this year. They are furious at the plans, which they say will leave them even more out of pocket at a time when the econom- ic downturn is already hitting business.
The cost of a licence will increase from £120 to £129.60 for a single licence (either hackney carriage or private hire) or from £150 to £162 for a dual licence, which covers both, from April 1.
Operations manager of Egham-based Gemini Cars, Tony Grinham, told the Surrey Herald: “We thought it was a lit- tle harsh.
“It’s been a slow start to the year, so we’re trying to be sensible and not price ourselves out of the market and we thought it was inappro- priate that a rate increase should be applied to us.
“None of the drivers are happy about it. We’re being responsible and it’s just not being fol- lowed by the council. They should freeze the licence fees just like we have frozen the fares.” Manager of Image Cars in Addlestone, Chris Andrews, added: “I would like to have seen some sort of leniency, given the economic cli- mate. “We’re trying to do something for the com- munity and we would have thought the coun- cil would like to follow suit I think they should
hold back the increase for the next 12 months.” Firms were told of the proposal at the Run- nymede Council taxi forum earlier this month, where representatives from the borough’s taxi companies and the authority meet annually to review rates.
The firms agreed not to go ahead with an annu- al increase for customer fares but the council, which issues licences to 253 drivers, 239 vehi- cles and 20 operators, will increase charges. Senior licensing officer, Derek Seeking, said the council fee to the driv- ers would increase year on year, regardless. He added: “We don’t get a percentage of the drivers’ take. We are not allowed to make a profit, but, actually, we do make a loss.”
A FEES HIKE COULD FORCE US OFF ROAD, CONGLETON DRIVERS WARN
Taxi drivers in Congle- ton have condemned proposals to raise licence fees, saying they could put some drivers out of business. They are also annoyed that Congleton Bor- ough Council had no prior consultation with them on the issue, with many only finding out through a notice and story in the local Chronicle last month. One driver said that the proposals could lead to fares in the area increas- ing, which he said would exacerbate the problem. The changes are planned to harmonise the fees paid by drivers in Congleton with those in Crewe and Nantwich and Macclesfield, as all three authorities will be absorbed into the new Cheshire East Authority in April.
The increases, which
would also come into effect in April, will mean that the annual licence for a hackney cab and private hire vehicle will rise from £230 to £300. Any objections to the proposals should have been sent to Congleton Borough Council before 5th February. A letter containing the signatures of 18 taxi drivers was sent to the Chronicle last month highlighting their con- cerns. Amongst these is the worry that higher licence fees will put even more pressure on their businesses. At a meeting of Cheshire East’s shadow Licens- ing Committee it was decided that a six-week consultation would take place to consult with current licence holders about the proposed changes. After the con- sultation the committee
will make its decision on any changes with the goal of implementing them by 1st April. Taxi drivers were sent a letter informing them of the consultation, and were due to meet with representatives of the council in February. One driver said several taxi drivers had already written to the council to voice their objections. He told the Congleton Chronicle: “I do get the feeling they have made their mind up, they just have to dot the i’s and cross the t’s with this plan.”
He believes harmonising taxi licence fees and fares for the three bor- oughs could lead to increases for both pas- sengers and drivers. He said: “The integration of the councils needs to be done carefully, not just for taxis too.”
LIVERPOOL CABBIES’ FURY OVER PLANS TO NEARLY DOUBLE LICENCE FEES
Liverpool taxi firms have blasted plans to nearly double the cost of licensing their vehi- cles.
The council has pro- posed a 92 per cent increase for renewing licences and a 75 per cent rise in the price of sitting the “knowledge test”.
But taxi companies warned that it will be a financial blow to driv- ers already struggling because of the eco- nomic downturn. The council’s licensing department is expect- ing a £212,000 shortfall this year, and even with the new charges there would still be a £33,000 black hole.
But city bosses say that although the charges could go up they are trying to ease the bur- den on drivers by
offering new, one-year licences so new drivers can get a taste for the business without hav- ing to pay for a £720 five-year licence. Liverpool council has not revised its fees for ten years, but is now looking to increase the cost of renewing a licence from £26 to £50, or £125 every three years.
A report put to the licensing committee said that “due to the current financial down- turn it is possible that the number of opera- tors’ licences will increase in the next 12 months. “Allowing applicants the choice of a one or five- year licence will give them a chance to see if the business is right for them without having incurred the charges of a five year licence.”
The new charges will come on top of the statutory £36 Criminal Records Bureau checks. Duplicate licences and replace- ment plates are set to go up from £10 to £15. There will also be a new £40 charge if cabbies want to transfer their licence to another driv- er. Currently there is no charge.
Derek Moon, of NPHA member Davy Liver, told the Liverpool Echo: “There’s more and more people who come out of work who want to be cab drivers.
“If there’s 500 more drivers then there’s 500 less people going out, 500 less fares.
“I would urge the coun- cil to think again.” If there are no objec- tions, the charges will increase on April 6.
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