Post by The Dark Knight on Feb 15, 2024 9:45:47 GMT
Drivers hit out at taxi licence fee rise
A rise in Dudley’s taxi licence fees already hundreds of pounds higher than neighbouring authorities has sparked a row between drivers and the council.
A 2.3% increase in charges has been approved by Dudley Council for the coming financial year.
But drivers say the service they get in return from the council is not good enough.
Council bosses however, say some of the issues faced are caused by drivers failing to supply correct licensing information.
Currently, a new three-year licence for a private hire taxi or Hackney Carriage in Dudley would set a driver back £475.
'Service is appalling'
The same licence costs £98 in Wolverhampton costs, £352 in Sandwell, and around £200 in Birmingham depending on the type of taxi.
Shaz Saleem, of Dudley Private Hire and Taxi Association, said: “I appreciate the council hasn’t put fees up for a number of years, but the service level is appalling.
“The fees are ridiculous, there is no service – I would like to know how they justify it.”
He said drivers were leaving the area as a result.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cldqgzvqk4wo
However, council leader Patrick Harley disputed this, and said: "It is complete and utter rubbish to suggest drivers are moving out of Dudley, in fact the opposite is true.
"We had 1,570 drivers licensed with us in January, which is 105 more than at the same time last year.”
A rise in Dudley’s taxi licence fees already hundreds of pounds higher than neighbouring authorities has sparked a row between drivers and the council.
A 2.3% increase in charges has been approved by Dudley Council for the coming financial year.
But drivers say the service they get in return from the council is not good enough.
Council bosses however, say some of the issues faced are caused by drivers failing to supply correct licensing information.
Currently, a new three-year licence for a private hire taxi or Hackney Carriage in Dudley would set a driver back £475.
'Service is appalling'
The same licence costs £98 in Wolverhampton costs, £352 in Sandwell, and around £200 in Birmingham depending on the type of taxi.
Shaz Saleem, of Dudley Private Hire and Taxi Association, said: “I appreciate the council hasn’t put fees up for a number of years, but the service level is appalling.
“The fees are ridiculous, there is no service – I would like to know how they justify it.”
He said drivers were leaving the area as a result.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cldqgzvqk4wo
However, council leader Patrick Harley disputed this, and said: "It is complete and utter rubbish to suggest drivers are moving out of Dudley, in fact the opposite is true.
"We had 1,570 drivers licensed with us in January, which is 105 more than at the same time last year.”