City cab drivers want to ut up fares to pay for cameras (From Daily Echo)

They really want to lose trade.

I detest using taxis and will only do so as a last resort. They represent worst value of all kinds of transport.
On the basis that most of these vehicles will be diesel powered with an average range of 600 miles, using the new prices, at the top end that represents potential revenue generation of £2,520 per tank of fuel costing circa £75.
Poor drivers!!!

The standard of some of the driving seen from the cities taxi drivers is shocking - stopping on corners/junctions, double yellows, zig zags near crossings - they really couldn't care about the safety of pedestrians or other road users. They are the first to moan when they are attacked or passengers leg it without paying - the CCTV is a great idea to capture valuable evidence. It also protects the passengers - is that why these drivers don't want them? And now another price hike, they are going to drive themselves out of business at this rate. Time to wake up before you all go under....

Price hike? - how much more of a cash cow can a cab become - I only use them when absoulutley no alternative, the late night drivers have little if any common courtesy, and certainly could not find thier way from A to B without a satnav.....so to increase prices is an afront to us all....lets boycott with immediate effect....(well after my Fri night out anyway)

If I use a taxi (which is very rare at current prices) I do so because I want to get from A to B as quickly and efficiently as possible, not because I want to star in a feature film.

I think people must differentiate between taxis and minicabs. I'm concerned that too many minicab drivers are not experienced enough on our roads, hence their appalling driving.

Ted Rogers wrote:
I detest using taxis and will only do so as a last resort. They represent worst value of all kinds of transport. On the basis that most of these vehicles will be diesel powered with an average range of 600 miles, using the new prices, at the top end that represents potential revenue generation of £2,520 per tank of fuel costing circa £75. Poor drivers!!!

So by your reckoning, assuming I average 600 miles per week (which I probably do by the way... but you have to realise that this also includes the miles I drive whilst empty) I earn £131k per year in my taxi???... the reality is hugely different my friend, I can assure you!!!

A lot of people **** about the cost of a taxi journey but the simple answer to that is, if you don't want to pay the going rate (which is ultimately set by the City Council and not the drivers) then don't use one... simples!

NightDriver wrote:

Ted Rogers wrote: I detest using taxis and will only do so as a last resort. They represent worst value of all kinds of transport. On the basis that most of these vehicles will be diesel powered with an average range of 600 miles, using the new prices, at the top end that represents potential revenue generation of £2,520 per tank of fuel costing circa £75. Poor drivers!!!

So by your reckoning, assuming I average 600 miles per week (which I probably do by the way... but you have to realise that this also includes the miles I drive whilst empty) I earn £131k per year in my taxi???... the reality is hugely different my friend, I can assure you!!! A lot of people **** about the cost of a taxi journey but the simple answer to that is, if you don't want to pay the going rate (which is ultimately set by the City Council and not the drivers) then don't use one... simples!

You are the ones trying to get the price hiked up by the council! I do have a problem with the going rate, it doesn't represent value. if you drive 600 paying miles you have the potential to earn the stated amount; if you are driving more miles whilst empty I would suggest that you need to look at the effectiveness of your radio operators and your own journey planning. If you own a taxi, you have got to be an absolute imbecile to not earn a very good living!
Simples!

Ted Rogers wrote:

NightDriver wrote:

Ted Rogers wrote: I detest using taxis and will only do so as a last resort. They represent worst value of all kinds of transport. On the basis that most of these vehicles will be diesel powered with an average range of 600 miles, using the new prices, at the top end that represents potential revenue generation of £2,520 per tank of fuel costing circa £75. Poor drivers!!!

So by your reckoning, assuming I average 600 miles per week (which I probably do by the way... but you have to realise that this also includes the miles I drive whilst empty) I earn £131k per year in my taxi???... the reality is hugely different my friend, I can assure you!!! A lot of people **** about the cost of a taxi journey but the simple answer to that is, if you don't want to pay the going rate (which is ultimately set by the City Council and not the drivers) then don't use one... simples!

You are the ones trying to get the price hiked up by the council! I do have a problem with the going rate, it doesn't represent value. if you drive 600 paying miles you have the potential to earn the stated amount; if you are driving more miles whilst empty I would suggest that you need to look at the effectiveness of your radio operators and your own journey planning. If you own a taxi, you have got to be an absolute imbecile to not earn a very good living!
Simples!

Not too sure about your argument here Ted. If he travels 600 miles it cant always be with a fare inside.
.
Unless of course are you suggesting that when he walks out to his cab in the morning there is a fare waiting by the door....If he drops someone off..are you saying he should wait for another fare in the same place.
.If he works in town and takes someone to Romsey he will i am sure on most ocassions drive back empty.
.
Sorry Ted i am no cabbie but your argument does not make sense

Lone Ranger wrote:

Ted Rogers wrote:

NightDriver wrote:

Ted Rogers wrote: I detest using taxis and will only do so as a last resort. They represent worst value of all kinds of transport. On the basis that most of these vehicles will be diesel powered with an average range of 600 miles, using the new prices, at the top end that represents potential revenue generation of £2,520 per tank of fuel costing circa £75. Poor drivers!!!

So by your reckoning, assuming I average 600 miles per week (which I probably do by the way... but you have to realise that this also includes the miles I drive whilst empty) I earn £131k per year in my taxi???... the reality is hugely different my friend, I can assure you!!! A lot of people **** about the cost of a taxi journey but the simple answer to that is, if you don't want to pay the going rate (which is ultimately set by the City Council and not the drivers) then don't use one... simples!

You are the ones trying to get the price hiked up by the council! I do have a problem with the going rate, it doesn't represent value. if you drive 600 paying miles you have the potential to earn the stated amount; if you are driving more miles whilst empty I would suggest that you need to look at the effectiveness of your radio operators and your own journey planning. If you own a taxi, you have got to be an absolute imbecile to not earn a very good living! Simples!

Not too sure about your argument here Ted. If he travels 600 miles it cant always be with a fare inside. . Unless of course are you suggesting that when he walks out to his cab in the morning there is a fare waiting by the door....If he drops someone off..are you saying he should wait for another fare in the same place. .If he works in town and takes someone to Romsey he will i am sure on most ocassions drive back empty. . Sorry Ted i am no cabbie but your argument does not make sense

See the term 'paying miles' also see 'effective journey planning'

If he is doing more empty miles than he is paying see 'Imbecile'

hulla baloo wrote:
They really want to lose trade.

No we dont want to lose trade and would rather not increase fares, but we have no option when all these extra charges are being enforced on us ! You cant comment unless you have been in this trade, every year our earnings are lower than the previous year.

I have an even more radical idea. Cut taxi fares by 20%, more paying customers, more income for the cabbies. And get some of the sheds masquerading as private hire cars off the roads, some aren't even fit for banger racing...

Wait...

They want to increase their income by 10% to pay for a £710 camera and an extra MOT?

Let's be generous and say the MOT's 110 quid. So that's £900 extra costs.

If they need a 10% uplift to cover this, that means they're only earning £9000 a year.

The cabbies are taking the p***, yet again.

"A majority of the 161 responses from a survey of 480 Hackney Carriage drivers and proprietors backed a fare increase."

What? They were in favour of getting more money? Well I never!

I don't understand why they need to up fairs for buying cameras when they can simply use the ones on their phones. I took a taxi to Ikea to buy one of their excellent breakfasts for a mothers day present, and the taxi driver was on his phone the whole journey. He could quite easely have set the phones video device to record the journey at the same time. It would most likely have recorded many different angles as he was looking every wear but the road. I must say to his benifit, it was one of the fastest journeys I have ever undertaken. you can cut minutes off of your journey by ignoring traffic lights and other road users. I think they do a marvelous job. I offered him breakfast to thank him for his exhilarate service, he requested two breakfast with his fingers but alas was gone upon my return, which in retrospect was just a sign of how professional he was.

jackielxxx wrote:

hulla baloo wrote:
They really want to lose trade.

No we dont want to lose trade and would rather not increase fares, but we have no option when all these extra charges are being enforced on us ! You cant comment unless you have been in this trade, every year our earnings are lower than the previous year.

not exactly rocket science but if your losing money how about a career change maybe??!!!!

jackielxxx wrote:

hulla baloo wrote:
They really want to lose trade.

No we dont want to lose trade and would rather not increase fares, but we have no option when all these extra charges are being enforced on us ! You cant comment unless you have been in this trade, every year our earnings are lower than the previous year.

not exactly rocket science but if your losing money how about a career change maybe??!!!!