Ever hear of workers refuseing a wage increase.

samsham

The Taxi regulator gave a fare increase to Taxi Drivers despite a poll on the Joe Duffy show that said they did not want one. Taxi drivers refused the increase because they said its hard enough to get customers as it is. The regulator in return stated that any driver not installing the new increase on there meter will be prosecuted. The new increase will cost taxi drivers just under €200 to install with half going to revenue. That's 1.9 million. Despite an advertisement campaign during the summer asking the public if they wanted an increase it emerged that the current fares software in meters ran out on the 1st Jan 2009, so despite her adverts to the public costing over €200.000 she had no choice but to give an increase because of her departments blunder.

Wishbone Ash

samsham wrote: »

it emerged that the current fares software in meters ran out on the 1st Jan 2009, so despite her adverts to the public costing over €200.000 she had no choice but to give an increase because of her departments blunder.

I'm not familiar with software but presumably (regardless of the actual fare increase argument) the software could be reset at the same or a reduced rate. Why do you think it had to be increased?

kayos

Was in a Taxi last Friday and of course with the increase coming in at midnight I asked the driver if they were happy about it. The driver proceeded to give out yards about the increase. Stating that people were already trying to avoid taxis and that it would be worse with the 8%. They also complained about the cost of getting the meters redone to reflect the new prices. Honestly took me back but the driver was really against the increase.

Wishbone Ash

They are not against a wage increase as such. They are against a possible wage reduction as they are concerned that the fare increase will lead to a loss of business.

If business stayed the same or increased, you can rest assured that they would have no objection to the fare increase.

samsham

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

I'm not familiar with software but presumably (regardless of the actual fare increase argument) the software could be reset at the same or a reduced rate. Why do you think it had to be increased?

Problem there is the regulator would have to explain to drivers why they were paying €200 to install software for a decrease or to just stay at the same fare. She could have let the fares the same and offered to pay for the new software installation because it was She who *****d up in 2006 only allowing software in meters for 2 years.

samsham

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

They are not against a wage increase as such. They are against a possible wage reduction as they are concerned that the fare increase will lead to a loss of business.

If business stayed the same or increased, you can rest assured that they would have no objection to the fare increase.

in Fairness who under ordinary circumstances would actually refuse more money, not you, not me, why should they be different.

oeb

As far as I am aware, the fee that appears on the meter is only the MAXIMUM fee that they are allowed charge. There is nothing stopping a driver charging less that this.

the_syco

oeb wrote: »

As far as I am aware, the fee that appears on the meter is only the MAXIMUM fee that they are allowed charge. There is nothing stopping a driver charging less that this.

How'd they prove to the taxman that they're just not pocketing the difference?

=-=

Oh, and I wonder was she sacked? Doubt it for some reason:rolleyes::mad:

oeb

the_syco wrote: »

How'd they prove to the taxman that they're just not pocketing the difference?

I am also pretty sure that the meter is not used to calculate their annual earnings. That would be like a tax man asking for a years worth of till recipts in your local shop.

seamus

samsham wrote: »

in Fairness who under ordinary circumstances would actually refuse more money, not you, not me, why should they be different.

Part of being a good businessman is knowing where to pitch your prices. When business is bad and getting worse, you don't increase your prices. That's a fundamental. In fact, it makes sense to drop your prices if you can.

Unfortunately the regulator is not a business and so doesn't have to think in these terms.

oeb

It's deffinatly a maximum fair, not a must charge rate :

http://www.taxiregulator.ie/files/publications/Consumer_Guide_National_Maximum_Taxi_Fare_22-09-08.pdf

samsham

oeb wrote: »

As far as I am aware, the fee that appears on the meter is only the MAXIMUM fee that they are allowed charge. There is nothing stopping a driver charging less that this.

The whole point is being missed here, Taxi drivers have to pay for the increase, have to install it in there meters then pay weights and measures to seal there meters. Tax is an issue for revenue, They can audit taxi drivers as they do from time to time, funny enough on the list of defaulters in the papers its usually publicans solicitors and farmers, have yet to see a taxi driver make a settlement. Any way my point also is the regulator mislead the public when asking in April for submissions from the public on any fare increases, wouldn't you agree.

Wishbone Ash

oeb wrote: »

As far as I am aware, the fee that appears on the meter is only the MAXIMUM fee that they are allowed charge. There is nothing stopping a driver charging less that this.

Yup.

Drivers may give discounts on fares. The driver will have the right to charge the maximum amount calculated on the meter or a lesser sum at his or her discretion. Customers will have the right to request discounts before engaging a taxi. Any discounts given may be recorded in handwriting on the receipt. In the absence of any arrangement on discounts agreed in advance, the customer will be liable to pay the amount calculated in full by the meter.