taxi rip off
 

Tonight (Saturday) my neice ordered a taxi from Arrow taxis just after tea time, and asked how much it would be, the receptionist quoted a price of £2.50p as it was only a two minute ride. The taxi arrived, and she got in , the taxi (a minibus) set off on the journey, she mentioned to the driver that the fee was quoted as £2.50p. He said no it isnt, its double because of the bad weather. She said that she wasnt paying that as she already had a price. With that the driver ordered her out of the taxi some 200 hundred yards from her start point, a woman on her own she complied.

As anyone who was out and about at this time you will know that it was sleet that was freezing on contact. it was -2c at the time. She had no choice but to return to her start point despite the hazardous conditions.

Now the question is, was it the driver who was taking advantage of the high volume of users due to the weather, to make a bit extra, or was it the company, or is there a policy of double the price in bad weather. What happened to Duty of Care, and Health and Safety.


I will be making a complaint to the council first thing Monday morning, but so that you know it was Arrow Taxis located on Kenyon Street, use at your peril

Re: taxi rip off
 

Rip Off merchants ant excuse to make a quick buck

Re: taxi rip off
 

Sorry can't spell any

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They did us New Years Eve, expected it to be double no problem, but charged 4 times the normal fare, just won't ever use em again.

Re: taxi rip off
 

Ahhh a taxi firm in accy did this not long ago with my friends elderly aunt, they charged her double because of the bad weather, it may have been arrow, can't understand why anyone uses that firm anymore, they are more expensive than max or legend, i've never ever paid double in the bad weather, i stick with Legend taxi's

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Me mate n wife used there local un New Years Eve shaz n it cost em less to pigging Hapton from Pop Club, than it cost me.:(

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Kin ell cashy, thats ridiculous

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I know, but we had a great night n missus gets upset if i kick off, so just paid up n thought stuff em.;)

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think yourself lucky, taxis up here are that expensive without the bad weather.they dont believe me when i tell them how cheap they are in accy:eek:

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It wasnt just the cost, but that was a sneaky way, quoting one price on the phone and then doubling it when the journey had started. It was the ordering her out of the cab when she wouldnt pay the extra cost, it was dark, the sleet was freezing on contact, it was minus two degrees, and this was done without regard for the safety of the passenger.
I dont even think it is legal to double the cost in bad weather, and when does weather become "bad" is it when people choose to take a taxi as it is not nice to walk. Just becouse it gets busy is no reason to double prices.
if you went in a shop and it was busy would you expect the prices to double, or if it was three deep at the bar would you expect a price hike.

Re: taxi rip off
 

Report them to the council Dave and go to the Telegraph

Re: taxi rip off
 

Putting the fares up because of the bad weather was illegal. Report the company (Arrow?) to the Council. Its a pity you didn't take the name or number of the driver. The Council could have taken action against him as an individual, and you might even have had a case to go to the police.

Re: taxi rip off
 

Agreed it is a rip off however intially I would complain to the owner to find out is it company policy or is it driver trying to make a quick buck and then when you have clarrified that and you don't receive satisfaction then it's time to go the press and the council. I'm not sure if they can vary their prices without getting approval. In any event you had a verbal contract on the price.

I wonder what he would have done if he had reached the destination and then quibbled - would he if have gone back to the start of the journey

keep us informed of progress

Re: taxi rip off
 

Never been charged more, due to the weather being bad.

Took a cab yesterday afternoon.

Talked to the driver about the forecast snow.

He said he was expecting it to be a very quiet night, as lots of people would decide not to venture out.

Always get Max Cabs Now.

Very cheap, reliable, and now they know me, always go out of their way to be helpful if I'm not having a good day. Even carrying my shopping into my house, on occasion.

I'd definitely report the driver from Arrow.

Re: taxi rip off
 

Thanks for the information Dave, I will let my Mother in Law know, so she does not use ARROW TAXIS
Please let us know how you get on:cool:

Re: taxi rip off
 

I have never had an issue with Arrow, always arrive very quickly, and never been overcharged (well, maybe some taxi firms may have charged less).

Mez and us girls,however, did have an issue the weekend before Christmas with Max Cabs.

It was the Sunday when it snowed. Mez had arranged a mini bus to collect us from what was Gene's shop on Abbey Street at 11.00 a.m. to take us to Blackpool.

When no sign at 11.15 Mez rang, seems the driver that was supposed to be taking us refuses to drive in the snow ! Hahaha, you can imagine what Mez said. After much liaison and many mobile 'phone calls later, they eventually got a driver out of bed who had only gone to bed at 6.a.m.

Was about an hour later when he arrived. I was alright, Jack, waited in my brother's warm car ... he had given me a lift down there. Couldn't get angry at the driver though, wasn't his fault, and he was very good and helpful with luggage, etc.

Re: taxi rip off
 

Is it too much to hope for someone from or connected with Arrow Taxis to come on here and explain what happened?

It would be in their interests to do so, because ARROW TAXIS are being deleted from a lot of people's lists of taxis to use.

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I always used Hyndburn Cars, a couple of drivers are members on here, they never let me down and as for increasing fares in bad weather, no chance, I would not not only report them to the council licencing authority I'd be airing my views with the local press too, people need to know about these rip of merchants

Re: taxi rip off
 

No doubt, it was pretty bad what happened to your niece, Davemac ...has she actually been back to Arrow at their office to complain and give them an opportunity to put things right, etc. ?

Re: taxi rip off
 

I hate using taxis, and only do so very rarely. When I am forced to use taxi transport I use Hyndburn Taxis.........for me they are the best.
Ma only uses Hyndburn taxis, because they are the only company who will actually drive up Rileys Hill....and anything less than that would be useless for Ma.

Re: taxi rip off
 

I would be either ringing Arrow or visiting them to find out what happened and also telling them that they were to be reported to the Licencing Dept of HBC.

Re: taxi rip off
 

Definitely need reporting to the council & the press, shouldn't be allowed to get away with this, robbing barstewards.

Re: taxi rip off
 

Once the price is arranged over the phone, it's a verbal contract. There should be no need to verify the price with the driver.

If the driver charges more when you get to your destination, you simply state that the driver's employer quoted the price and pay that amount.

If they state that the taxi firm is not their employer, they are just the driver's agent, then inform them that your contract is with the taxi rank, not the driver. If he has a problem with the amount they quote, it's between the two of them - nothing to do with the customer.

Re: taxi rip off
 

I have emailed the taxi licencing section with my complaint, I will not get a reply until monday

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Still not clear whether you have complained to Arrow themselves, though ?

Re: taxi rip off
 

I always use Legend , never had a problem, normal price New Years Eve too.

Max cabs will be receiving a complaint from me if they carry on pipping a neighbours at 11.30 pm instead of knocking at the door.most annoying when your in bed.

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A lot of taxi drivers aretoo lazy to get of their bums to knock on doors. They prefer to sit in their warm car and pip.

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No, havent contacted Arrow, after the attitude of the driver I did not want to engage with them any further.

Re: taxi rip off
 

Would only seem fair to me; they may fall over themselves to put the matter right (or not). If people don't complain direct to a company, how can they know that their service is failing ?

Re: taxi rip off
 

I always use Arrow Taxis and have no complaints with them at all, and find the drivers polite and obliging.

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you may be right , but if you go in a shop and get bad service you dont go back.
Having slept on it, I would not change my attitude towards the company and would not approach it any differently.
If a vulnerable woman is told pay the price or get out of my taxi, I do not feel disposed to entering into dialogue with the boss of the company. To re-state the facts it was minus two degrees, sheet ice on the ground, dark, and this drivers only concern was money, no concideration for the safety of his passenger.
This man was the public face of the taxi firm, so no I dont want dialogue.

Re: taxi rip off
 

That's exactly what you should do.

Asking to speak to whoever is in charge. Either the owner, or the manager.

All firms can unknowingly employ staff who aren't doing their job properly.

You can't expect them to improve their service, if they don't know about a problem.

Re: taxi rip off
 

You have a point, and yes I would do this to make a complaint, but I think this to my mind is bad and dangerous practice and should not be left to the firm to sort it, or sweep it under the carpet. It requires an outside authority to oversee the complaint.
I am not saying people should not use this firm, I am just saying how my neice was treated. It may be a one off, or it may be that this has happened before.

Therfore if you use this firm and are happy then please continue, but this firm is off my christmas card list, If I had one, and if I liked christmas.

I am informed that my niece at the time tried to ring and complain, but as the firm was busy, the phone was continualy engaged. I was the one who was phoned to take her home and did notice a high number off taxis on the road with not many private cars.

Thanks for the input though

Re: taxi rip off
 

Fair enough.

We're all different.

My first call would definitely have been to complain to the person in charge, to inform them what had happened, and I would try to find out as much information as I could, before taking the matter further.

If I wasn't happy, only then would I have made the matter known publicly.

As it stands you are still in the dark.

For all you know the driver might have been carrying out accepted company policy, and the person on the switchboard was in the wrong, by giving out the wrong price.

Knowledge is power.

Re: taxi rip off
 

My niece did attempt to contact them, but an engaged tone every time put a stop to that. Anyway the die is now cast and a email to the council has been sent. I will await the outcome, but I think I know their reply now.

Re: taxi rip off
 

I have it on good authority that this was not the policy of Arrow taxis last night and the driver was obviously out to make a quick buck, the reg number and any description would be useful as Arrow are very keen to look into this issue. ( On a personal note I've used them for years and never, ever had a problem with them.)

Re: taxi rip off
 

Perhaps the line was engaged with customers ringing to say they had just been abandoned in the snow by a taxi driver who was trying to fleece them

Re: taxi rip off
 

More importantly what action are they to take against the driver if it was not the firms policy

Re: taxi rip off
 

Yes you are, it was the first post "use at your peril". Now you are potentially slandering a firm, based on one bad experience, without giving the firm chance to comment or redress. Now if you were on here telling us they had told you to "go away" then fine, but I`d be getting their side of the story first.

Re: taxi rip off
 

Agreed.

Any barrel could contain a bad apple.

Which will remain there, unless someone informs you of it's presence.

It will have been logged, as to which driver was given this job, and could very well already be under investigation now, finding out as to why this happened.

Rather than waiting until tomorrow, for the council's bureaucratic wheels to start rolling.

Re: taxi rip off
 

lindsay, have sent a pm

Re: taxi rip off
 

perhaps the use of the words "at your peril" were tempered with the situation at the time, but I still say it is up to the individual to base there descision on the facts.
How have I slandered the firm, unless you doubt my recollection of the incident, perhaps you could be more specific as to the slanderous portion of my complaint

Re: taxi rip off
 

Are there any regulations with regards to Maximum pricing for taxi's and is it dearer to get a Taxi off a rank in Town rather than ring one up?

I havn't used a Taxi for ages so no idea of costs now, but i've just been round to my neighbours house this afternoon, she's an old lady of 90 years, and because she was cold down town on Saturday morning rather than wait for a bus to Avenue Parade (block below post office) she got a Taxi from the Union street rank, and was charged £3.70p which i think is a lot for such a short distance.

I've had a leaflet through the door from a company called Millerz taxis, who say their minimum charge is 99p which would cover the likes of Fern Gore to accy centre & Accy to Bolton avenue at £2.50.

So £3.70 to me sounds like a rip off too, in comparison?

Best regards - taggy

Re: taxi rip off
 

There's a difference between Private hire and Taxis taggy, Taxis are metered, private hire aren't, think with some private hire its think of a number, I'm nearly sure the fare for taxis is set by the licencing authority, but I may be wrong

Re: taxi rip off
 

Just wanted to get some ideas as to if that figure was a bit high, it sounded it to me Jaysay & i don't like to think of an old lady being overcharged!

Best Regards - Taggy

Re: taxi rip off
 

hackney taxis can charge more because they pay more for a licence that allows them to be flagged down in the street so its best to avoid using those that line up on union street and down the side street off church street.Your best off walking into a taxi rank and waiting in the warm for a taxi if one isnt avialable right away although even on a meter that price seems pretty steep for such a short journey

Re: taxi rip off
 

Yep i thought it seemed steep too! The Taxi rank was just handy for her, as she was in Town & feeling the cold this Saturday morning. She's not used to Taxi's & wouldn't know...or probably have felt like walking far, to the nearest Cab office, she had been to the Market & M&S, so i guess the nearest would have been the one opposite the Broadway Pub, but i'm not sure which one that is! She usually gets the bus up but with it being cold didn't want to wait long in the stop. I'll let her know not to use the rank...but again based on the other circumstances mentioned on this thread, probably no guarantee another firm might not have taken advantage of someone not being savvy with prices!

Best regards - Taggy

Re: taxi rip off
 

With My mother dying just before Christmas i have had to go over to Preston quite often these last few weeks to sort things out.
normally i would get the bus to the station as i have a free bus pass but coming back its been dark and its been raining and i have been exhausted when the train has pulled in at Accy railway station so instead i have just jumped in a taxi when it got to our house just down Blackburn Road (Persia St) the taxi has charged £4:00 or £4-50 and the taxi drivers have never had there seat belts on.
In Preston i got a Taxi (black cab) from Railway station all the way to Cop Lane Penwortham down the ring road and that was only £6 and much better drivers too

Re: taxi rip off
 

Whats the minimum rate now mick, I haven't used taxis for a while, as for not wearing seat belts they don't need to they are exempt

Re: taxi rip off
 

I use Max Cabs every time I venture out and due to the weather forecasted for last weekend I rang to see what the situation was likely to be. I spoke to a very polite man who informed me that if the weather got too bad then Max Cabs would close until it was deemed safe for the drivers to pick people up without fear of crashing. Armed with their advice I still went out into town and hoped that it wouldn't get too bad. (It did).
After a nice evening out I rang Max Cabs to see if I could get home and was told that due to safety reasons they were closed. Not to worry... I was warned... So, I went to Central Taxis on Burnley road and booked a taxi back to Ossy. The office said it would be £4 (which is more than I usually pay) but, because of the conditions I was very happy to pay the price.
Half way through the journey the driver started to complain about the conditions and that he hadn't earned any money etc etc... He then asked me for £8 ! I refused to pay him and asked for his badge number. He soon repealed his price back to the £4 I had originally been quoted and we parted company. Do NOT pay more than you have originally been quoted by a taxi company! If You have a mobile ring the office and speak to a an operator. They will tell the driver the price and that is what you will pay. Private Hire Drivers work under the banner of the taxi company and are all self employed and will try their hardest to get extra money from you. Don't give in, I rang Max Cabs a couple of times when I first started using them and the office told the driver straight away how much to charge. Once you get used to your fares and journeys then if you have the money ready you won't need to argue.
Do all these companies that carried on working in the icy conditions not realise that if they just charged the normal fare and looked after their customers then maybe they could grow and prosper as other taxi companies in town have?

Re: taxi rip off
 

They don't charge more because they pay more for the plate. Whether hackney or private hire the plates cost the same. Hackney plates are limited in number and the price is set by the council. Private hire plates are not allowed to be limited by law. Therefore the competition is stronger and the customer is king (or queen). Just make sure when you ring a private hire firm that you get a quote for the journey before you book the taxi.

Re: taxi rip off
 

Taxi drivers don't need to wear a seat belt Mick.

When you don't need to wear a seat belt

You don't need to wear a seat belt if you're:
a licensed taxi driver who is 'plying for hire' or carrying passengers.

Using a seat belt : Directgov - Travel and transport

Re: taxi rip off
 

Similar over here too ... drivers in K'town do not need to wear a seatbelt when carrying passengers. At other times they have to.

It does seem to me that taxi meters would be a great idea. I used to drive hack, and I still own a taxi ... comes in handy on busy nites:D There are three cab companies in town, and the fares for all cabs are set by the Taxi Commission, which is appointed by City Council. All meters are calibrated on a test track, and then sealed. There are no extra charges for weather, ... even the boost fee is the same for all companies. It simplifies things: you phone any one of the companies; get in the cab; tell the driver where you want to go and which route you want him to take; and you are off and running. And taxis don't shut down for bad weather, although individual drivers might decide that road conditions are too dangerous and quit early. If a customer thinks he has been ripped off, he can complain to the company. If he gets no satisfaction, he can then complain to the Commission. If you allow a driver to set fares on a whim, or according to his level of greed, then obviously you are going to have problems.

Re: taxi rip off
 

i'm v surprised at max cabs concern for health & safety seeing as some of their drivers are so bad - wrong way on 1 way street, jumping lights, no seat belts, smoking, no indication, pulling out, etc
Regards firms trying to extort more fare. I once shared taxi back from burnley with some girls. We agreed the fare, set off then he wanted more, we argued, he threatened to abandon us. A cunning plan formed. Dropped off 1 at huncoat at which point he demanded the fare. I gave him half, journey continued, gave him directions to drop me off, told him to pull over, gave him rest of original fare, got out & told him if he wanted to argue to go in there - accy police station. Look on his face priceless ! I went & sat inside til he cleared off. Cops laughed their heads off. then i reported him to burnley taxi licensing.

Re: taxi rip off
 

I agree %100 infact i have seen their mini busses fly through dill hall lights way after they have gone to red with children on board doing what i assume is a school run of some sort on many occasions.Maybe they are more distinctive because they have MAX plastered down the side of tehir vans but the front of my car was nearly ripped off by one jumping red lights at high speed not so long ago.Unfortunatly due to the speed and direction it was travelling i couldnt get a badge or plate number.

I have been led to believe that MAX cabs is what used to be CB taxis and at one point i would have recomended them but now they have lunartics driving for them i wouldnt like to put my kid in one.Peoples kids may be getting home in one peice but i dread to think how many near misses they had along the way.

Probably only a handfull of their drivers but they get noticed and it seems not just by myself.

Ordinary cars are just as guilty and the red light jumping seems to be trendy these days but you expect better from someone paid to get you from A-B safely especially when transporting your kids.

Re: taxi rip off
 

I once got a taxi back from Burnley to Haslingden and the prices was extortionate, he was parked outside my gaff on Blackburn Road facing Accrington and he asked me the quickest way back to Burnley I just said turn right at the lights and follow that road, they say Blackburn is nice early morning:D

Re: taxi rip off
 

When I got a taxi to my son's wedding hotel in Simonstone I was charged £10 by Hyndburn Cars and thought it reasonable.

The following day the hotel reception got me a cab for the return and it was £15.

They charge what they think you will put up with without grumbling. I had a hangover and it must have shown.

Re: taxi rip off
 

I think Hyndburn Cars are first rate Margaret, I never used anything else, never let me down and the price was always reasonable, think it used to cost me £4 from Mallard to Accy which wasn't bad

Re: taxi rip off
 

I second that John...they are superb with my Ma. Hate using taxis, and when I do they are the only firm I would use.

Re: taxi rip off
 

Davemac - Please could we have an update on were this is up to, you were quick to post the issue is there any progress either with the Council or Arrow Taxis

Re: taxi rip off
 

Not sure what you are getting at with "quick to post" but nothing has changed since my last post. I am at the moment waiting for a reply to my complaint, I have, as indicated made a complaint to the licencing section of the council,and to the chairperson, apart from a confirmation of receipt from the council, I am awaiting some resolution.

It has only been a week since posting, and less than that since the council received my complaint. I have to give the powers that be time to look into the matter, and then get back to me

Rest assured as soon as I have anymore information I will let you know, and thanks for the interest

Re: taxi rip off
 

Do these taxi drivers know what a solid white line is across the road by traffic lights. Some of them think they can creep slowly over it and passed it until the lights turn to green. Do they know the Highway Code?

Re: taxi rip off
 

I dont have a gripe about taxis in general, but they do drive using a different method to the rest of us, for example:
:they approach junctions and put the bonnet over the line before they stop to see if anything is coming.
:they double park in the road either to pick up or drop off.
:they honk the horn to announce arrival, this is regardless of time of day or night.
:at two lane junctions they use the right hand lane and shoot forward, cutting in.

This is my observation, I am sure people can add to this list, as has been done with the creeping forward at lights.

Re: taxi rip off
 

They have no regard for the speed limit. Up my way it is 20m.p.h.

I wouldn't let anyone up my way, no matter what speed they are doing!

Re: taxi rip off
 

Do they know the Highway code:rofl38::rofl38::rofl38::rofl38: now that really is a silly question Max

Re: taxi rip off
 

I have today received a response from the licensing officer who has spoken to the driver in question. His reply was noted and a report has been placed on his file for monitoring in the future.

The drivers response was to be as expected, designed to minimize what actually happened, and to put it all down to light hearted banter taken the wrong way. Well it wasn't, however I have accepted the actions of the officer and I am convinced that now that the matter has been addressed it will not happen in the future, possibly.

Unless you know differently.

Thank you to all the people who participated in this thread, sorted.

Re: taxi rip off
 

Pretty sure it won't happen again dave. Nearly 3 million on the dole.;) Plus there very wary when councils got a report.

Re: taxi rip off
 

Have to say I didnt know what the outcome would be, I just wanted the matter noted, and it has been.

Re: taxi rip off
 

Just been let down badly by legend taxis blackburn road left us at stranded at manchester airport they did not come to pick us up as arranged and when we rang there office they would do nothing to help it cost me £91 to get home as it was a bank holiday

Re: taxi rip off
 

Thats very very unusual that you had to pay more on a bank holiday and even more unusual that legend let you down, 'Bash' the owner prides himself on running a good and reputable company, we used legend to get to and from manchester for a night out at the end of last year and they turned up bang on time and where very polite.......for you to start slating a reputable taxi firm on your first post makes me highly suspicious, have you come on here from a rival firm trying to stir things up???? Bash has been taxi'ing for at least 20 years and is well known for it in Accy

Re: taxi rip off
 

Think I agree with you on this one Shaz

Re: taxi rip off
 

I agree, it'd be very unusual for Legend to have let anyone down - always use them (& used to when they were Bash Cabs), & never had a problem, we booked them for our works do last year on an overnight stay in Blackpool & they were bang on time for both journeys & great value for money

Re: taxi rip off
 

no have used them twice be for no problem BASH has been round to my house this morning and give me a full reund and i am happy with that

Re: taxi rip off
 

That is good news.

Re: taxi rip off
 

A bit hasty in your criticism then

Re: taxi rip off
 

Well, maybe not. If the people who run Legend Taxi's want to continue to have good reputation, then they sort out a dissatisfied customer.
Those customers who are satisfied rarely broadcast their satisfaction....it used to be said that anyone dissatisfied, would tell at least 20-30 people...now with the internet, they tell the whole world.

Three of used Max cabs for a journey of two miles. The driver charged £2 (I did give him more). With rates as low as that it's no wonder drivers are jumping lights and speeding to make a living. I have had issues with a Burnley firm trying to overcharge a pre arranged price but well chosen expletives got it back to the original price. I suppose there are good and bad in all jobs

Re: taxi rip off
 

If they are jumping lights and speeding , they are breaking the law and I hope they get caught. They will be the first to complain.I for one will not ride in their cabs because they are unsafe drivers.

Re: taxi rip off
 

I hate using taxis......and will only ever use one company - Hyndburn Taxis.
With Ma in a wheelchair, they never fail to offer help with her and the chair....and their patience is exemplary. (Ma isn't the fastest thing on two legs)

Re: taxi rip off
 

I always used Hyndburn too Margaret, a few of our members drove for them too