Why are the taxi fares at Xmass increased extortionatly so? Is it because of the antisocial hours worked during the Xmass period? Oh yeah! if thats the case why dont bus fare prices alter during the festive season? Not that I want them to you know. Fares is not fairs. It just greedy ripping people off. But plenty of people are willing to pay

Could be the fact that they have to put up with lots and lots of drunk people on office parties i have been to a few places in the past week and its enought to send yuo mad.

Its a basic business principle called 'supply & demand'. If the demand goes up, then you put the price up.

Theoretically, you put the price up until the demand levels off.

Originally posted by Saxon
Its a basic business principle called 'supply & demand'. If the demand goes up, then you put the price up.

Theoretically, you put the price up until the demand levels off.

That is fairly true.

It is only perfectly true when there are no business regulations. In this example black cabs are licensed, so the licensing authority (City Council, I believe) should possibly address this.

To be honest if I was a cabbie I would do one of two things

1. Steer clear of NYE, and xmas generallty because it probably isn't worth the hassle.

2. If I can charge double (or whatever value it is) think, "hang on, maybe its worth the trouble"

So I guess that is your reason for the charges, cabbies will not work at this time of year if they can't charge more.

The way to stop it :- Boycott. Thats the language business understands.

I didn't think black cabs charged double, i thought they just stuck a couple of quid extra on the fair?

Originally posted by CaptainSleep
I didn't think black cabs charged double, i thought they just stuck a couple of quid extra on the fair?

I'm not sure, I was too f***ed last NYE to even notice what I was charged, but I think it was a lot!!

I'm not a cabbie - but the abuse and crap drivers get on fri/sat from drunken yobs is justified in the extra fare - on nye and xmas people are more abusive and that reflective in the fare

if you don't want to pay - walk or catch a bus- it's as simple as that.

bus - you'll never f*****g get there and you will still have to walk to your house
walk - you'll freeze your b******s off

you have to pay for the price of convenience - you're getting slashed in the festive and the cabbie should ferry you around listening to abuse from you for a few quid - get real. good luck to the cabbies

there are many things in life we get screwed on (taxes,NI, petrol, cigarettes etc etc) - protesting never achieves anything because let's face the people who make the decision (who can pay) don't give a s**t about hard working people like us

on nye and xmas people are more abusive and that reflective in the fare

They might be more abusive BECAUSE of the fare being doubled.

Originally posted by CaptainSleep
I didn't think black cabs charged double, i thought they just stuck a couple of quid extra on the fair?

Bang on. They ain't charging double.. Whatever your fare is they are adding £2 extra (and whatever you give as a tip)

:D

I don't see how increacing the price of taxi's is going to encourage people to leave their cars at home?

No wonder there are more drunk drivers on the road this time of year.

Well, I'm not concenred with a slight increase so long as I can actually get them to turn up and not be presented with a message like "Sorry, We've got nothing in that area, bye".

I can't believe people are moaning about this. You're gonna go out NYE, spend an absolute fortune on getting totally ratted and you're complaining that you got to pay an extra two quid for a taxi home? You're not even gonna remember the taxi ride let alone how much it cost. Cheer up ya miserable buggers.

Exactly Limpo - what's the other option - get the bus? Oh no because they finish about 7 (really handy), or they stop running at the first sign of a snowflake!

The poster above had it correct - supply and demand. If you don't want to pay, why don't you just walk!

I agree too, stick to locals if you don't wanna cough up..

Whats a couple of quid extra ?? Squeeze another mate in the cab, lower the cost ;) or have a dedicated driver :D

Limpo :hihi:

Last christmas eve i was charged £35, it normally costs me about £6-£8. That is not a couple of extra quid!!

Originally posted by A_Partridge
Last christmas eve i was charged £35, it normally costs me about £6-£8. That is not a couple of extra quid!!

*sigh* get in the back of any black cab and there is a sign that says that the only additional charge over xmas and new year weekend is £2 - this will probably only apply to black cabs as private hire cabs aren't as strictly controlled.

Originally posted by A_Partridge
Last christmas eve i was charged £35, it normally costs me about £6-£8. That is not a couple of extra quid!!

Well you were had mate, I've never paid more than fare + half..

Didn't cross any boundaries did you.. Sheffield - Rotherham etc ?

We had a very long disscusion with him saying we would not pay that much, to which he eventually replied if we dont pay he will call all the other taxis in the area to come and "sort us out". We just paid as we couldn't be bothered with the bother. (it was a black cab)

Originally posted by A_Partridge
We had a very long disscusion with him saying we would not pay that much, to which he eventually replied if we dont pay he will call all the other taxis in the area to come and "sort us out". We just paid as we couldn't be bothered with the bother. (it was a black cab)

Well if that is what happened and you were charged 35 quid then I hope you contacted the police as I would think that forcing that amount of money out of you with threats of violence is a pretty serious offence.

How much is it going to cost me from the Hammer and Pincers at Bents Green back to Mosborough.

we asked my mates dad whos a copper, and he said unless we got the driver number and stuff (which we didnt do) they couldnt really do anything.

has anyone else come across - lower bus fares after 6.15
i normally pay 1.10 to get to town, then one bus driver said to me, no its only a pund now as its after 6.15. since then ive tried to pay £1 but all the other drivers argue with me saying no its £1.10

Originally posted by A_Partridge
we asked my mates dad whos a copper, and he said unless we got the driver number and stuff (which we didnt do) they couldnt really do anything.

Well, what the Police could potentially do (with more resources) and what they can actually do are not quite the same thing.

But I guess after being threatened then maybe getting the number plate was not the first thing you thought of (but I bet it will be next time)

Originally posted by unners
How much is it going to cost me from the Hammer and Pincers at Bents Green back to Mosborough.

What's your credit rating like?!

i know mercury taxis are charching fare and a half over the crimbo an new year period saw there avert in local rag last nite

Originally posted by Yodameister
What's your credit rating like?!

Very good too excellent, a good job really by the looks of it!

Originally posted by donniedarko
has anyone else come across - lower bus fares after 6.15
i normally pay 1.10 to get to town, then one bus driver said to me, no its only a pund now as its after 6.15. since then ive tried to pay £1 but all the other drivers argue with me saying no its £1.10

First have currently got a promotion on route 51 - £1 maximum single fare after 6pm.

I've used black cabs on Christmas Eve and New Years Eve and found they have charged about £3 more than normal - the hire charge is bigger but the rate per mile is normal I think.

thanks Andy C
thats makes sense then
most of the drivers probably dont know about the promotion
so is it only on for a short time then?

My dad runs a few cabs down south. I think it works the same up here in that at certain times (and the whole tariff has to be clearly displayed in the cab) the minimum fare is increased. The price per mile is ALSO increased. The meters have a pricing chip installed by the council and a lead seal put on top of it to prevent any fiddling.
They face a lot of abuse over the Xmas period and the robbings increase too!
Give them a break and remember these things:
a) you can negotiate the price of the journey beforehand if both you and the driver agree it. So if you're worried about a normally £8 trip costing £35, try and agree a price before setting off
b) if you vomit or damage the cab, the driver is allowed to charge you an extra fee. If you refuse to pay it, standard practice is to lock the doors and drive you to the nick, which will probably achieve nothing other than to substantially delay your trip home

Just an extra thought not covered here, lets all avoid the pirate cabs - unlicensed cars. When there is high demand there is often people driving round in their normal cars (not taxis) driving round picking up drunks and sometimes charging a fortune (with the possibility of beatings or rape if not paid fully).

The amount of people you see on Christmas Eve trying to flag down every approaching road vehicle has to be seen to be believed...

Originally posted by donniedarko
thanks Andy C
thats makes sense then
most of the drivers probably dont know about the promotion
so is it only on for a short time then?

details here: http://www.firstgroup.com/ukbus/yorkhumber/southyorkshire/offers/offers.php?item=114

To echo AndyC's thoughts - yes ALWAYS avoid unlicensed cabs, and remember that the only cabs you can hail down are Hackney Carriages (typically black cabs). If you hail down a minicab ("private hire"), or are 'touted' into one remember that they aren't allowed to pick you up, and if they do so they aren't insured!
Another point is that whilst most minicabbers are hardworking and honest, they don't have to sit the 'knowledge' exam of the area that Hackney drivers do and some don't use a meter so could potentially overcharge. Also, the vehicles don't have to conform to the same strict criteria that Hackney's do (it's like a super-MOT test) to ensure your safety.
It's always a good idea to make a mental note of at least some of the number plate and make sure that the driver's badge is a) prominently displayed and b) for the person driving the cab.
Cabbies are just human, and like in any industry there is the odd rogue, but keeping your eyes peeled can keep you out of bother.
Oh, and if you have any complaints about a particular driver, also try to get the number of the council's licence plate number on the back and report it to the taxi enforcement officer at the council.

taxis are really a rip off. They take the mickey.

In hull/Liverpool I could get a cab for a 2 mile journey rof "2.60. Here £5

you could argue but then he'd get his mates to kick the s*** out of you

the only cabs you can hail down are Hackney Carriages (typically black cabs). If you hail down a minicab ("private hire"), or are 'touted' into one remember that they aren't allowed to pick you up, and if they do so they aren't insured!

I would rather risk no insurance than get a black cab!

Got a taxi tongiht - 2 quid extra as previously stated - whoop di doo - saved getting wet :)

Well, I wa;lked from tow n to ecclesfield, saved cash whoopy doo.

Nothing wrong with that. I've done it many times in my younger days. With the distance you mentioned it probably saved you quite a bit too.

Think you need to check a few facts here Phil. All minicabbers or Private Hire Drivers do have to sit a special Driving test and Knowledge and all Private Hire Cars have to undergo a Taxi A1 Test before they can be issued with a Council Private Hire Plate. This applies to brand new cars as well and must be done every 12 monthsOriginally posted by hotphil
To echo AndyC's thoughts - yes ALWAYS avoid unlicensed cabs, and remember that the only cabs you can hail down are Hackney Carriages (typically black cabs). If you hail down a minicab ("private hire"), or are 'touted' into one remember that they aren't allowed to pick you up, and if they do so they aren't insured!
Another point is that whilst most minicabbers are hardworking and honest, they don't have to sit the 'knowledge' exam of the area that Hackney drivers do and some don't use a meter so could potentially overcharge. Also, the vehicles don't have to conform to the same strict criteria that Hackney's do (it's like a super-MOT test) to ensure your safety.
It's always a good idea to make a mental note of at least some of the number plate and make sure that the driver's badge is a) prominently displayed and b) for the person driving the cab.
Cabbies are just human, and like in any industry there is the odd rogue, but keeping your eyes peeled can keep you out of bother.
Oh, and if you have any complaints about a particular driver, also try to get the number of the council's licence plate number on the back and report it to the taxi enforcement officer at the council.

its a service, like any other you always have the alternative of not using it. if you can spend £50 on a night out, then you can spend the extra on the fare home. People dont seem to consider the getting home bit until they have spent up!
if you and your mates stick 5-6 quid each aside before you all go out, it might all be easier in the end!