taxis

[Immi666]

why dont taxis have meters anymore? whenever i take a taxi, i have to ask them how much it is at the end, which i dont like doing. and then they keep saying, "how much was it last time?" why cant they just give me a damn figure? im tempted to say "two pence" next time a cabbie says that.

[dannydingbat]

You do not say where you live or whether you have taken a hackney carriage or private hire car. If you are in London, you may have used a minicab which are not currently regulated so they can do what they like. If you are outside London, there are two types of vehicle. A hackney carriage can ply for hire in the street and you can hire them at ranks and flagdowns. They are required to have meters set to a maximum scale if the local council sets one down. They can reduce the charge if they want but can't charge more than the maxiimum. There are also private hire vehicles which work by prior booking so, if you phone for a car, this is probably what you got. They are not required to have meters and cannot be limited in what they charge by the council. The charge is by agreement with the customer so it is expected that you agree a fare before you undertake the journey. If you don't, they can charge you what they like. It could be that they sent you an unlicensed vehicle. If this is the case, or you are unhappy with the service you get, take the vehicle number and speak to the Licensing Section of your council.

[Immi666]

it was a private car, i live in stoke-on-trent. im not particularly unhappy with the service. the drivers are all friendly and polite - even if they dont shut up sometimes. the prices are all reasonable too. it just bugs me. im bugged easily.

[NORMANTHEDOG]

dannydingbat,you have not got a clue have you,take a look on tfl s website which will inform you all londons minicab drivers and their vehicle are tested,licensed,and their offices are all regulated by the pco and have been for over 4 yrs now,yes i know there are illegals out there but get your facts right before spouting off about something you know nothing about.

[NORMANTHEDOG]

immi666,you should allways ask the office for the approx cost of your journey when you book,and then when the driver asks, you can say,your office said it will be such and such,

[filthiestfis]

Just use common sense. As soon as you enter a cab ask how much it will cost, an approximate figure. If you dont like the price you get off.

[Sammy Snake]

Immi66, I live in Stoke on Trent and have the same problem. Half the time I've never done that journey before so have no idea how much I would usually pay!

I have said '�2' before and they laughed at me -well why ask me then?!

[Immi666]

Hey Sammy! Whereabouts in Stoke are u?

[dannydingbat]

Dog - with respect, I am a specialist local authority licensing lawyer many miles from London and have forgotten more than you will ever know about taxis. My knowledge is limited as to London as indeed it is in relation to Scotland and Ireland. It is not important to the question which was asked. I have been instrumental in the early stages with helping Transport for London in dealing with some of the issues involved. However, if you check the website yourself, you will see that the information you have provided, apparently with some confidence, is totally incorrect, both in terms of timescale and the fact that the exercise of licensing everything will not be completed until next year. Clearly you have no interest in trying to assist those with queries on this site. Try harder at being useful, chill out a little and get some credibility.

[jno]

nice squelch, danny... Immi, if you're booking a car by phone, just ask then and there how much it will cost. They'll either name a price (which you can refuse if you think it's too much) or tell you the cab's got a meter.

[Sammy Snake]

Immi666, I live in Hanley so don't need taxis very often, can walk into town!

Where are you>

[Immi666]

I used to live in Hanley, at the YMCA, when I first came to Stoke a couple of years ago. Now I have a nice cosy flat with Immi-Cat in Stoke. Or Hartshill. Or Shelton. Depending on who you ask. I prefer to say Hartshill because it sounds nicer. Lol