TAXI FARES.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1231, 13 September 1911, Page 6

TAXI FARES.

THE POSITION IN LONDON. A Dppartracnt.il Committee was recently <«t up by the English Homo Secretary to inquiro whether any alteration in the scale of taxi fares in London was desirable. The report summarised (which was issued on July 26) is as follows :- Tho committee make tbo following recommendations.— (1) No alteration of tariff. (2) "Extras" to belong to drivers. (3) Drivers' proportion of takings to be 20 per cent for the first pound sterling, and 25 per cent above one pound. «t j ■ (1) Owners to supply the drivers with petrol at a fixed price of Bd., independent of market variations within 20 per cent of present bond pneo up or down. (5) No limitation of numbers of cabs or drivers licensed. (G) Special licence for distant suburbs. (7) Abolition or reduction .of £2 2s. motor-car tax. (8) Abolition of one of the two charges of ss. demanded of drivers for licences. ' (9) Standard of qualifications tor a licence to bo strictly maintained. In tho controversy the committee emphasise their opinion that, sooner or later, a change to the mileage system is required in order to procure the best results for the London taxi-cabs, and the conversion of tho arrangements between owners and drivers to a mileage basis should be kept in view as 'the ultimate solution should further question arise. The committee believe tho public are paying an acicqualo remuneration for the services received. In the division of this remuneration the drivers have at present undoubtedly an advantage as compared with the owners. Hut that of itself does not constitute a. sufficient ground for altering the tariff against the public. In shtijig their reasons for not recommending the abolition of "extras" tho committee remark: "The London public ■is accustomed to pay them. It is only I right that the fare should pay for what lie receives tftid the absence of a right to charge for 'extras' would probably doiiutlo the railway stations of taxi-cabs while making it unpleasant for ladies with luggage to take a taxi." On tho radius question, the Committee, while they arc opposed to the TO-cstablish-ment of such in the old sense of tho term, stated that they are inclined to think that in distant suburban districts a special licence might be granted to cabs to ply locally in thoso' special districts at Is. a mile. As regards the police licence, the committee arc strongly of opinion that, as regards sobriety, efficiency, and honesty, the standard of qualification for a licence should bo firmly maintained. In justice to tho whole body of drivers, the committee think that proved cases of dishonesty should be severely dealt with by the police authorities by the suspension or entire withdrawal of licences.