SOUTH SOMERSET NEWS: Complaints escalate over taxi fares

A TAXI-WATCH group might be started in South Somerset so cab companies can join forces and share information on people who might run off without paying fares.

South Somerset District Council’s licensing team has recently been made aware that passengers are complaining about drivers using the meters in taxis, leading to arguments over the cost of fares.

To avoid misunderstandings, the council has clarified the legal position on the use of the taxi meter and the lawful fare that can be charged.

There are numerous sections of legislation dealing with the use of taxi meters but the law in relation to taxi meters is there for one reason only - to protect the customer from being overcharged.

A council spokesman said: “In South Somerset we have byelaws that clearly require the meter to be used at all times and any driver will commit an offence if they do not engage the taxi meter at the start of the journey.

“At the end of the journey the taxi meter will show the maximum total fare that the driver is entitled to charge.

“A driver may agree to take less than this amount but that is purely at their discretion. If a driver attempts to charge more than the fare on the meter, they will commit an offence for which they could not only be fined up to £1,000 but also imprisoned.”

Cllr Peter Gubbins, the council’s licensing spokesman, said: “Taxi drivers are a valuable piece of the jigsaw in the public transport network and provide transport services at anti-social hours. They should be paid a fair price for the work they undertake.

“The fares are not set by the taxi drivers but by the district council and in fact the last rise in fares was in 2008.”

PHOTO - RIGHT: Cllr Peter Gubbins.

Police have also been made aware of incidents where customers have run off without paying.

Sgt Pete Paskin, of Yeovil Police, said: “Running off from a taxi without paying is a criminal offence.

“When reported by a taxi firm to the police, this complaint is taken seriously and can result in arrest and even being charged to court. The offender may gain a criminal record for their efforts.

“We advise taxi firms to take payment up front from customers and would like to commence a “taxi-watch”, led by taxi companies, to share information on people who may be considered at risk of not paying.”

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