Higher fares on the cab rank (From Daily Echo)

Southampton taxi fares double for New Year's Eve

8:02am Thursday 31st December 2009 in News

Higher fares on the cab rank

EXPECT to pay higher fares, but don’t get ripped off.

That is the message to New Year’s Eve revellers planning on using taxis to get about tonight.

Fares for all Southampton’s white hailand- ride cabs and many private hire taxis will be double the standard daytime rates.

In line with regulations introduced last year, the higher fares will kick in from 11pm tonight, which is three hours later than in the past, and run until 6am tomorrow.

The higher fares are designed to compensate drivers for having to work anti-social hours, and cabbies say they are essential to cover lost earnings over the Christmas break.

Perry McMillan, chairman of the Southampton cab section of the Unite union, said: “It does lead to so much confusion and we just want to reassure the public that the meters are all calibrated and computerised, so people should just make sure they only pay what’s on the meter.

“It’s of paramount importance to us that people feel safe and that they are not being ripped off.”

Phil Hall of Southampton City Council’s licensing team said people should always ask in advance how much a journey will cost.

“If you don’t agree with the fare, then get out,” he added.