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hi, im new to this site, just wondered if anyone knew any laws against councils allowing more that one fare tarriff at a time, we have just been given an increase and some taxis have had their meters changed but some dont want to and others are giving discounts.alot of people are complaining that they dont know what they are going to be charged when the get in a cab.its all becoming very confusing.surely it should only be one set amount throughout an area???any light on the subject would be greatly appreciated.thankyou.x

Hi and welcome to the site sarah.

 

Whilst charging less than the prescribed fare is IMO totally wrong the practice is quite legal and providing the meter shows not more than the proscribed fare it can be set to what ever the operator  wishes 

some of the other drivers arnt on calender meters so their meters change tarriffs at different times as well, so i might go to tarriff two before them or vice versa.surely we should all have to go onto the same tarriff at the same time.any ideas? BTW thanks for your help hopper.x

Hi Sarah,
All Hackney Carriage should be operating on the same tariff as authorised by the Licensing Authority.Although as Hooper says, they can charge under the authorised rate. Private Hire can charge what they like, or rather what the operator like's. What area are you?
Regards
BB

im in the st annes,lancashire, small town with loads of old folk that are getting confused with all these different tarriffs. 

click on the link  below, its a question faz  similiar to the question posted Sarah above

 

CLICK HERE

Sarah,
Who are your licensing authority?
Regards
BB

fylde borough

Hi Sarah,
Follow this link,
http://www.fylde.gov.uk/Category.aspx?cat=1500

Taxi Licensing

Fylde Borough Council has a responsibility to ensure that drivers, proprietors and operators of hackney carriage and private hire vehicles are fit and proper persons to hold such licenses.
Accordingly, taxis, their drivers and operators are licensed annually by the council. Vehicles are subject to mechanical tests and drivers undergo periodic CRB and medical checks.

Fares
The council only sets the maximum fares for hackney carriages' but private hire cars usually charge the same. A fare card giving details of the charges will be displayed inside each vehicle and a taximeter will automatically calculate the fare. Passengers should refer to the fare chart to see if the correct fare is being charged.

A current table of fares is available to download on the right.

Drivers of Taxis and Private Hire Vehicles
Drivers licences are only issued by the Council after the driver has been checked to ensure that he or she:

Has a valid driving licence
Is a fit and proper person
Understands the relevant law
All licensed drivers must wear an identification badge, which includes a photograph of the bearer.


How to get a Licence
Visit this page for more detailed information and application forms.



Who to Contact
For further information about taxis/private hire, or in the case of a complaint, please contact us:

By Post
Licensing Team
Fylde Borough Council
St Annes Town Hall
Lytham St Annes
Lancashire
FY8 1LW

By Phone: 01253 658658
By Fax: 01253 713113
By E-mail: [email protected]

Hi Sarah,
Each Hackney should have a meter which charges as the tariff card below

HACKNEY CARRIAGE FARES
LOCAL GOVERNMENT (MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS) ACT 1976

Scale of maximum charges fixed by the Fylde Borough Council with respect to Hackney Carriages in the Borough to operate from 15th January 2008.

NOTE: Tariff 1 – Monday to Friday 6.00 a.m. to 11.00 p.m.

Tariff 2 - applies to hirings on any day begun between 11.00 p.m. and 6.00 a.m. and all day on Saturdays and Sundays, statutory holidays and Bank Holidays, excluding Christmas Eve and Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Eve and Day.

Tariff 3 – applies to hirings commenced between 6:00pm on 24th December to 6:00am on 27th December and between 6:00pm on 31st December to 6:00am on 2nd January. Tariff 1 + 50%.
(a) Mileage

Tariff 1: £2.30 for the first 480 yards or uncompleted part thereof.
20p for each subsequent 240 yards or uncompleted part thereof.

Tariff 2: £2.60 for the first 384 yards or uncompleted part thereof.
20p for each subsequent 192 yards or uncompleted part thereof.

(b) Waiting Time

For each 54 seconds or uncompleted part thereof. £0.20

(c) Extra Charges

For each article of luggage conveyed outside the passenger
compartment of the carriage or for each perambulator carried £0.20

For each passenger in excess of one (two children between
the ages of 3 years and 12 years to be counted as one, younger
children not to be reckoned). £0.20

For each dog carried (except Guide Dogs) £0.20

Cleaning charge arising from the withdrawal of a
vehicle due to passenger abuse £40.00

Philip Woodward
Chief Executive
Fylde Borough Council

Penalty for Breach of Fare Table
The penalty for charging a fare in excess of the published table of fares except when such fare has been agreed with the passenger in advance will be a fine not exceeding £400.
;

just want to thank you all for your help, from the link i was given i have sent an email to the Cheif Executive at Fylde Borough, short,sweet and to the point, i will just have to wait and see, once again thankyou.xx

Thats good news Sarah, let us know how you get on.
Regards
BB

You will get all sorts of response on here but I believe the only thing that matters is the LAW and NOT personal understandings or statements.

The case of Liverpool V Curzon in 1993 sets the precident on this issue.
basicaly.... in 1991 there was a new fare set out by Liverpool city council which allowed a hire night time tariff, this was not taken up by Curzon Ltd who refused and used the "day rate" 24 hours a day, the council suspended their licence leading to a court challenge by Curzon Ltd.

2 question were to be answered in this case,
1: Is it lawful for a taxi driver to charge less than the fare shown on the meter?
2: Was it lawful for a taxi firm to set all its meters to show a fare less than the set tariff?

The judge in the high court decided "yes this is LEGAL" for both the above questions.

So....it is perfectly LEGAL for anyone charging LESS than the councils "maximum" set fares (that all it is - the "MAXIMUM" )

And those that do PROMOTE the destruction of the Industry!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


EDUCATE ORGANISE AGITATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

im sorry i dont understand what the above post as got to do with my query???!!!

 

Can you charge less, yes , but is it a good idea NO it means more hours less earnings, which equals less maintenance, ie dangerous vehicles. Complicated??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????


ORGANISE EDUCATE AGITATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

i know what  i can and cant do thankyou.i didnt say i wanted to charge less or more, i want a standard fare throughout the borough i work in.there is no need for sarcasm.as i previously stated i got the help i needed from a link given.i dont need anymore.thanks anyway.

Here is a link to the transcript of the court case Faz spoke of.....hope it is of help to you Sarah.

 

Save it to yer computer and open

 

Liverpool V Curzon in 1993 PDF doc.

thanks hopper, all your help is much appreciated.very useful information.not had a reply from the email i sent to the council, but will let you know what happens.once again a very big thankyou.xx