Two councillors – both involved in the taxi industry – clashed over massive fare increases agreed by the licensing committee of Fenland District Council. It could, for example, see a 5 mile journey that now costs around £12.20 rising to £17.40 – a 46 per cent increase.
Independent councillor Dave Patrick says if Cabinet agrees the increases “it would effectively make Fenland one of the most expensive places in the country to travel by taxi”.
But recently elected Whittlesey Conservative councillor Gurninder Singh Gill, claims a rise in fares “is simply a tool being used to attract more hackney carriage drivers into the industry”.
In a Facebook exchange he wrote: “These are the maximum amounts that could be charged. The trade is already dead. Have a look to see how many hackney carriage drivers are being licenced in Fenland.”
And in reply to Cllr Patrick, he added: “Once the older generation like yourselves retire, they won’t be any hackney carriage drivers around to implement the tariffs.”
The charges were recommended for approval in July when the licensing committee met to discuss a request for an increase in hackney carriage fares.
But Cllr Patrick believes Fenland hackney carriage drivers could become a thing of the past if the new tariff “agreed by licensing and to be approved by Cabinet and ratified by full council on 30th September are followed through.
“It would effectively make Fenland one of the most expensive places in the country to travel by taxi”.
He said that presently a 5 mile journey costs around £12.20.
“Under the new tariff a 5 mile journey would cost £17.40 and a 10 mile journey presently £23.80 would cost £33.90,” he said. “Peterborough, depending on where you go, is 23 miles away. Imagine the cost which would rise from £52.40 to £76.80.
“This sort of increase would totally kill the trade completely. I am aware that most if not all Wisbech hackney carriage companies and many drivers have already stated that this rise is to say the least extremely excessive and I believe that some if not many March drivers are not happy with the proposed increases.”
Cllr Patrick said that following the licensing committee in July he had emailed asking for a “much more moderate increase; however, that did not happen.”
He said many taxi firms condemned the increases.
“Fenland taxi drivers cannot afford to lose their jobs the same as Fenland residents cannot afford such an extreme rise in fares,” he added.
But Cllr Singh Gill said nearly all bookings conducted by drivers are prebooked through an operator and as such the operator can provide fixed prices that are in line with the current tariffs.
“This is simply a tool being used to attract more hackney carriage drivers into the industry,” he said.
“I think that drivers that don’t work evenings and nights shouldn’t really be complaining about the tariff timings either”.
“The whole point of the increase is to try and get more hackney carriage drivers interested in the trade.
“Companies do not have to charge the metered amount. On the other side If somebody wants a taxi from the Griffin at say 1am, they will rather pay the new tariff than not be able to get a taxi at all.”
Mark Walton, who owns March Taxis, said his company “will not be charging these stupid prices; if we could get away with not updating our meters we would.
“It would save us a lot of working out prices to keep them to what they are now. “Perhaps we could all boycott meter upgrades.”
Cllr Singh Gill added: “March Taxis do not have to charge these prices. How hard is it to understand that these are the maximum prices that can be charged.
“Simply have a fixed pricing structure in place and keep your prices the same as they are now. If your drivers are picking up from the rank then they are self-employed and are able to charge what they feel comfortable with, up to the metered price”
Cllr Singh Gill added: “We already undercut the current tariff. None of my hackney carriage drivers charge the metered price unless they are doing their own pick up from the rank.
“Every taxi company could undercut the tariff if they wanted to. It is not my fault if they have not gotten the business sense to do it. The days of having hackney carriage drivers around are numbered as it is.”
He added: “We’ve noticed that people that need taxis would rather pay a little extra than not be able to get one at all.”
The report outlining suggested options for fare rises was put to the licensing committee by Andy Fox, senior licensing officer.
Asked by Cllr Nick Meekins if the taxi trade had seen the proposals, he replied they had, but unfortunately only a small number had responded.
Cllr Andrew Woollard said that although he is unsure about the rest of the district he knows that in March, taxi firms struggle for drivers in the evenings, and it is very difficult for anyone to get a taxi then.
On that basis, he argued, the officer recommendation for additional night fees could encourage extra drivers on the road and he knows a lot of people in March that would be happy to pay these extra fees so long as they can get a taxi.
Cllr Alex Miscandlon said it is difficult for anyone in Fenland to get a taxi in the evenings; the attitude amongst many of the drivers is that it is just not worth it, so the modest increase proposed is probably beneficial to them to provide an evening service.
He felt the poor response to the survey is “typical and abysmal. It is their trade, but they are not encouraging it”. He said he support the increase.
Licensing manager Michelle Bishop said the proposals are for the hackney carriage trade and is the maximum they can charge.
She said that drivers have the choice, If they want to charge less that is fine, it is their decision if they want to accept £10 for a £15 journey.
Cllr James Carney asked if members follow officers’ recommendations, and the two-mile rate rises above that of neighbouring districts, is that playing into the hands of taxi operators in Peterborough or South Holland for instance?
Mr Fox pointed out that the council is responding to a request from the trade.
He said some councils have not increased fares since 2022, but many are now following suit and looking to put their fares up also.
FACT FILE
Cllr Gurninder Singh Gill owns Swift Transport of Whittlesey; he is also shown as a director of the family owned Swift Carz Ltd On his website he promotes the Swift Transport app that “allows you to book your taxi in just a few seconds. It is the easiest and most convenient way to book.
“Either enter the pick-up and drop off locations or place the booking directly on the map to provide an exact pick up location. No need to wait outside”.
He claims the Swift Transport app “really is the one stop shop for all your transport needs”.
Cllr Singh Gill only lists Swift Transport on the council register of interests.
Cllr Dave Patrick lists ‘taxi driver’ as his sole occupation on the council register of interests.
He says he is now only part time “and predominantly a subcontractor providing home to school transport; any future rise is unlikely to affect me. However, I still feel I have a duty to try and protect the livelihoods of those still very actively engaged in general taxi work”.
