The TfL Board has approved a 3.4 per cent increase in London taxi fares to apply from Saturday 4 April 2009.

The change in taxi fares follows the taxi cost index, which has been used to guide taxi fare changes in recent years. This index reflects vehicle-operating costs in London. TfL estimate that operating costs have gone up by 3.7 per cent this year and the average earnings index has increased by 3.3 per cent.

There will be no change in the flag fall of £2:20, and the distance and time per meter unit will change to give the increase in average fares in all three tariffs.

The TfL Board approved the new taxi fares on Tuesday 10 February, following consultation by the Public Carriage Office with the taxi trade and other interested agencies. The TfL Board say they recognise the importance of keeping fare increases to a minimum in the present economic climate while maintaining the link between taxi fares and national average earnings and other costs.

The TfL Board also approved a 40p metered extra, which will be added to the fare if fuel prices reach 147.1p per litre between 4 April 2009 and 1 January 2010. This compares with the end-January price in London of 100.7p. The additional charge, if introduced will be added to the meter by the driver at the start of each trip.

The amount of the extra button is being reduced this year to 40p in order to lower the threshold and reduce the extra costs drivers will have to bear before these can be passed to passengers.

There are no changes to the fares for fixed fare sharing schemes.

Revised Licence Fees

Transport for London has set the following new fees with effect from 1 April 2009

Taxi application/inspection fee will increase from £107 to £111

Taxi annual licence fee stays at £53

The total cost to licence a taxi will be £164

There are no changes to taxi driver operator licence fees.

The Credit Crunch, Recession or, Depression, whatever the latest buzzword is, really started in our trade well before 1st January 2009. That’s when the corporate world stopped using their cab accounts on a regular basis. The corporate cab account holder now finds it more cost effective to hail a cab off the street and pay with a corporate credit card; this saves money on the run-In, waiting time and the radio circuit administration charge. The massive downturn in account work has led to great numbers of radio drivers leaving their circuits deciding the subscriptions do not justify the return on the account rides they are dispatched. One circuit in North London is reported to be losing drivers on a weekly basis. Even the increase in street hailed credit card rides costs the radio driver a cash booking fee, which can be up to £2 and the card holder an disproportionate charge, which could be up to 12 percent. Many more regular cash paying cab customers now prefer to use a Debit or Credit Card as a means of managing their money in these cash strapped times. Any driver without the means to except Credit or Debit cards risks losing lucrative trips and airport jobs and the possibility of a heavy fine for stopping at an ATM for the customer to collect cash.

123 SEND GPRS
I passionately believe that every licensed London taxi should be able to accept credit, debit and charge cards. We are competing against an organised professional Private Hire trade and we must take them on and beat them in this area as we do in every other aspect. This is the reason I have always marketed credit card terminals in our trade and I have always strived to get the best deal for drivers. There are many credit card machines on offer to the driver; some are free but the supplier keeps all of the 10 percent transaction charge, which is very lucrative to the supplier. Some suppliers pay your money in to your bank account, usually 6 or 7 days after the transaction minus the 10 percent charge, some suppliers charge an annual airtime charge of £25 then £13 per month and retain the 10 percent service charge.

I honestly believe that 123 SEND GPRS Mobile Card Payment Terminals are the best deals for drivers; you get to keep the 10 percent charge or minimum £2.50, which means one airport job, will give you at least another £5. The money is paid in to your account in 3 working days and unlike other suppliers your money is kept in a merchant account which means if the company goes belly up your money is safe and not the assets of the company. If you are thinking of leaving your radio circuit and want to keep on taking cards or a street fighter who wants increase your profits in these testing times then pop in and see me for a chat and advice. You can find me at the Porta-Cabin in Great Suffolk Street; if you don’t know me just ask for George.

George Vyse 

Londoners and visitors to the capital may have seen a taxi carrying a livery for the Words of Peace project. This livery was given as a competition prize and was won by a man called Frank Fallows. Back in November 2008, as crowds stood still around the Cenotaph in Whitehall in remembrance of the many lives sacrificed in wars and conflicts, one man made a unique commitment to promoting peace. Frank, a successful businessman who runs a travel company in Wakefield, had won the prize of advertising space on a London taxi, which was awarded by the World Travel Market at London’s Excel venue.  He decided to donate it to the global Words of Peace project. This is an award-winning TV series shown daily around the world and presents a unique and inspiring perspective on the quest for personal peace. Broadcast free to air across Europe, the series features highlights of talks given by Prem Rawat the international speaker on peace.

Frank told TaxiCab News what inspired him make this unique donation: “My wife and I have been inspired by the words of peace spoken by Prem Rawat for many years now. We run a successful travel business, yet we know that what makes our lives fulfilled is the hope generated by his words and our personal experience of peace. I wanted to give something back and let other people know about Prem Rawat’s message of hope.”

The united trade demo on February 5th proved the depth and strength of unity running through our world famous iconic taxi service at this moment in time. As thousands of drivers joined the protest, the traffic quickly queued and Central London soon became grid-locked. However, the protest was peaceful and proved that it is possible to make our voice heard without any pushing, shoving or need for police intervention.

Perhaps some of the main-stream media missed the exact point of our demo; perhaps they just don’t understand our industry. Or was it that our PR was not that good?  Reports said the black cab trade were annoyed because the minicabs are stealing their work; The Times said: “Hundreds of black cabs caused grid-lock in Central London as they protested against what they see as the encroachment of minicabs. The taxi drivers, who are also worried about a 30 per cent drop in customers because of the recession, blockaded Trafalgar Square, The Mall, Downing Street and the Strand to show their anger at a new scheme that promotes their minicab rivals.” But this is not the whole picture. We are tired of TfL’s constant attempts to put minicabs on the same level as the cab trade. The two industries are different; yes both are providing a service to passengers, but the long journey through The Knowledge to become a licensed taxi driver is the proof that our trade is different. Why try to blur the edges? And it is not just the cab trade who feel this way. John Griffin, Chairman of Addison Lee was heard on LBC radio, when he said: “Plying for hire is the sole preserve of the Taxi trade and must remain so, initiatives that seek to undermine this premise should be resisted.” Whilst readers may feel that Mr Griffin has a vested interest in saying this, he is a well known “face” within the ph industry and surely the PCO should listen to his viewpoint as well as the cab trade’s view.

The marshalled scheme in Whitcomb Street is being heralded as popular with passengers.  The minicabs still gather at the bus bay in Whitcomb Street from Thursdays through to Saturdays between 21.00 and 04.00. The travelling public are not interested in trade politics, be it cab trade or minicab trade, they just want to get home at night. Few will understand why this is such a big issue. That is until someone runs into problems with an insurance claim when they use a vehicle that may be licensed but that is carrying someone who has been touted by a minicab driver. Whilst the respectable part of the licensed minicab trade continue to campaign against those within their own trade who do tout, the public need more awareness of the dangers they put themselves in.

ONE TOUT AND YOU’RE OUT
The letter sent out by the PCO to both cab drivers and minicab drivers with the “ONE TOUT AND YOU’RE OUT” message is viewed by the majority within the cab trade as an insult. Yet another example of the PCO trying to merge the two trades without considering the impact the letter would have. Now those in office at the PCO, right through TfL, up to the Mayor’s office at City Hall must be aware of the strength of feeling in the cab trade. Let’s hope some action follows, but in the opinion of our editorial team here at TaxiCab News, don’t hold your breath while you wait.

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH
After the demo, Steve McNamara from the LTDA, told TaxiCab News: “Thursday’s ‘Enough is Enough’ protest by an estimated 8,000 taxis was the largest demonstration ever held by the London taxi trade and possibly by taxi drivers anywhere in the world. If anyone at the Public Carriage Office still fails to realise the resentment caused by their letter threatening taxi drivers with ‘ONE STRIKE AND YOU’RE OUT’ when the Mayor clearly intended his policy to be aimed at minicab drivers, they are living in a cave. This blatant corruption of the Mayor’s intentions, along with the PCO’s casual attitude to the licensing and enforcement of the Private Hire legislation, has united our industry like never before and forced us into taking militant action to defend our livelihoods. I hope that our grievances and concerns will now be constructively addressed before we are compelled into taking further and more militant actions.” 

Martin Low, Director of Transportation at Westminster Council, has told taxi drivers : “We would welcome ideas from black cab drivers on how to increase their availability in the West End, particularly in the early hours of the morning when the clubs close.” (You might want to contact him at Westminster City Council, 64 Victoria Street, London SW1E 6P). Ed Thomspon, Director of Taxi & Private Hire at the PCO, said: “Thursday’s taxi protest caused serious disruption in central London, inconveniencing thousands of Londoners just trying to go about their business.  The protest is based on mis-information being given out by certain trade bodies, who have refused to meet with the Public Carriage Office (PCO).  Whitcomb Street is not a private hire rank – we have not and we will not introduce private hire ranks in London.  Private hire vehicles must always be booked through a licensed operator.

“It would have been so much more helpful to have spent Thursday afternoon discussing the issues facing the taxi trade and trying to come up with positive ways to help taxi drivers deal with the economic downturn.  Our door remains open and we are, as ever, ready to talk any issues through.”

Let TaxiCab News know your thoughts and feelings on the demo and the issues surrounding it. Should our trade hold more demos? Or should discussions take place with Martin Low and the PCO?

The message was clear on Thursday February 5th, 8000 drivers spoke clearly to the PCO and Westminster City Council. More demos are planned if they do not listen.

The United trade demo in Trafalgar Square on 5th Feb 2009 was declared a huge success by all concerned. Vast areas of central London became a car park with virtually nothing moving on more than 2 wheels. Sources have indicated that over 8,000 cabs took part. The largest demo by the taxi trade in London ever. London’s hackney drivers must be commended for this show of the depth of feeling about the issues regarding illegal PH ranks and the closely related Clip Board Johnnie activities.

It was also the first public appearance of the newly formed RMT Taxis London Branch. Judging by the comments from the trade received by our marshals it is something many drivers have been waiting for. Although some so called faces in the trade will raise the old lament that the last thing the trade needs now, is yet another organisation splitting the trade up even more, the facts show a different picture. Only around a third of the trade belong to any trade organisation. That’s not to discredit those organisations but to point out that there is more than enough room for another and the feed back we got at Trafalgar Square showed that we are right.

However, Thursday was not the end of the fight and further actions will be needed to keep the issue on the table until Westminster Council, The PCO and anyone else who thinks they can just ignore the laws of the land when it suits them realise that they cannot.  Picketing the illegal rank in Whitcombe Street is one option to be considered. This will need further shows of support from the trade, but following Thursday’s magnificent turnout who can doubt that this support will be forthcoming.  

The RMT prides itself on been a genuine member lead Union fighting for the rights and working conditions of its members and the London Taxi Branch will follow in those footsteps. We will seek to work with the other trade organisations for the good of the trade as our members see fit, but it will be what the members decide within the democratic processes of the Union. If you want a genuine say in your trade’s future join us. The RMT is committed to fully backing the London Taxi Trade, defending their members working conditions and standard of life.

The RMT is Britain’s largest specialist transport union and fully supports the fight by the men and women in the taxi trade in their endeavours to put an end to the unfair and ostensibly illegal practices condoned by the PCO and their cohorts. Fight back with the strength of the RMT behind you!

For more information on the RMT call Dave Vidgen 07933 797 309 or RMT Regional Organiser Brian Whitehead 07917 327 321.

 by Eddie Lambert

Soon after Dial-a-Cab moved to their new home, Call Sign Dial-a Cab’s in-house magazine reported that the Society had teamed up with Carbon Footprint Ltd to help reduce and offset Dial-a Cab’s carbon emissions, thereby reducing Dial-a-Cab’s impact on the environment and in particular, climate change. Every journey undertaken by Dial-a-Cab would from then on become carbon footprint free with any carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions being offset to zero. Since then, many drivers have asked whether the above was still happening or was it just a page filler?

The answer is that Dial-a-Cab is as involved as they were on day one and still driving down emissions and helping worldwide communities. So we asked Carbon Footprint’s Wendy Buckley for her assistance in updating our progress. “The business has just launched into the second year of its industry-leading carbon programme, committed to evaluate all its emissions and offset the unavoidable via an expanded range of quality projects worldwide that also bring community benefits. It’s not just Dial-a-Cab taxis that we are focusing on, but also all your office operations – with an aim to ensure Dial-a-Cab takes a leadership position as the most environmentally responsible taxicab business in the country.

“Since launching the project and along with Carbon Footprint, Dial-a-Cab’s commitment to the environment has been unwavering. They have offset 4,500 tonnes of carbon dioxide from operations, via a wind farm clean energy project in Harshnath (India), a reforestation project in the Great Rift Valley (Kenya) and before some ask why not here, also a reforestation project right here in London!

“Our Kenya Reforestation team celebrated a Christmas Tree planting with a traditional ceremony in front of the local Mayor with the team all wearing their Dial-a-Cab tee shirts! This marked the end of what had been a year of tragedy and challenge in the county, but as ever, the Kenyan spirit shone through.”

Meanwhile back in the UK, the tree-planting season has been in full swing at a climate change awareness event organised by Carbon Footprint at a Hampshire school where the pupils planted over 100 trees. The pupils also learnt how to minimise their impact on our world. As we said earlier Dial-a-Cab have now committed to offset not just the emissions of our taxi fleet, but also all office operations. And besides continuing support for the India, UK and Kenya projects, Dial-a-Cab has also selected an exciting new Central American Maya Nut Tree reforestation project, which brings both climate change and benefits to developing communities. This project is United Nations Environmental Programme approved and involves the planting and sustainable management of these native trees that help support rainforests and promote biodiversity. The Maya nuts themselves can be harvested from the trees and have great nutritional and medicinal benefits.

Carbon Footprint’s Managing Director, John Buckley, added: “This year – more than ever – Dial-a-Cab’s commitment to the Kenya project has truly supported local communities, bringing them hope in some very dark hours.”

Dial-a-Cab Chairman Brian Rice, told Call Sign: “We are firmly committed to being the leading environmentally and socially responsible taxicab business anywhere. Our carbon offset programme now means we’re supporting communities and very worthwhile projects across four continents, as well as doing our bit to help alleviate climate change.”

 By Alan Fisher, Editor of Call Sign