CAB FARES.

Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2654, 19 August 1871, Page 2

CAB FARES.

To the Editor. Sir, —A short time ago an advertisement appeared in both the daily papers of the City, announcing the fares ‘ ‘ that would be charged in future by all the cabs.” Amongst other things it was stated that from and to the White Horse would be •* 3d,” which had a very considerable effect upon the numbers of short j urney passengers. But latterly, some of the cab-drivers have began to insist upiui payment of 6d as before, falling back, upon the “ Bye-laws.” Now, apart altogether from the policy of this exorbitant charge—for it is nothing else—it is certainly not fair, even if it bo legal, unless indeed the announcement to which I have referred was cancelled or amended, otherwise it is little better than obtaining money under false pretences to decoy people into a public vehicle upon the public announcement of cheap fares, and having got them in, demand just double the amount as stated in the advertisement. In adopting the course I have re f erred te, I am quite sure the cabmen are standing in their own light ; for while few would refuse to pay 6d to or from the Water of Leith, a very great many do and will refuse to pay the same amount for about one third of the way. Should any of the numerous cabs that now stand by the hour, wait ng for their “turn,” and when that comes jog leisurely along all the way to the Water of Leith, for a single fare of 6>d, ju«r. run the short distance, say to and from the Police Barracks or the White Hotse for 3d, the money result at the end of the week would be far m- rc satisfactory. At all events, if the practice to which I have referred is still persisted in, there will still be more room for the long distance passengers than at present. —Yours, &c. Viator.