York Council index reveals taxi fares should be reduced.

The York Council has revealed that – according to a well established agreement – taxis fares should be reduced from April.

Petrol graph

Fuel price trends

The Council has – in response to a Freedom of Information request – published the latest index which is used to assess fare level increases.

The formulae was agree in the last decade as a way of stopping the horse trading which took place each year when the taxi trade sought a fares increase.

The table takes into account increases (and reductions) in several costs that taxi proprietors face. These are:

  • Vehicle Maintenance costs (+2.23%)
  • Petrol and Oil (-8.76%)
  • Vehicle Tax and Insurance (+0.51%)
  • Labour costs (+1.62%)

The bracketed figures show the percentage changes in the period from December 2013 to December 2014

The factors are then given weightings.

The formulae for the fare review now due, indicates a reduction of -0.77% in fare levels is required.

Taxi fare formulae. click to enlarge

Taxi fare formulae. click to enlarge

The reduction will be the first since 1998 and is almost entirely down to falling fuel prices.

Passengers expecting a bigger reduction will be disappointed as most of the drop in fuel costs has occurred since the beginning of January (and would impact on next years calculation).

A copy of the calculation can be downloaded by clicking here

Passengers will now be turning their attention to local bus companies who have also enjoyed the benefits of lower fuel prices.

It only seems fair that public transport users should share in the benefits of lower inflation.

Call for bus fares to be reduced

Liberal Democrats are calling for public transport users to enjoy the benefits of lower fuels prices.

Bus fares have risen steadily over the last 4 years with park and ride charges which were increased by 5% in January.

The No 12 bus to Foxwood Lane, York - one of a number of bus routes which could be cut

First buses last increased their single fares in September 2013. Some other fares were restructured in the light of falling customer numbers at the same time.

Since then fuel prices have dropped by 21%.

Taxi fares were last reviewed in April 2014. Another review is due next month. The Council has been asked under Freedom of Information legislation to release details of the cost assumptions made when approving fare increases.

Fuel costs have reduced by 17% since last April.

Public transport providers do, of course, face other costs. These include labour and depreciation costs while maintenance and licensing charges also take a toll. But most of these costs have been stable recently so passengers will be expecting to benefit.

Lower fares may mean a “win win” for operators with increased passenger numbers making up any reduction in income.

“Free station bus service is aimed at visitors”

Yesterday’s announcement that car parking charges would increase in order to fund a fares free bus service form the station to the hospital is attracting a growing level of criticism.

Bus users have pointed out that they will have already purchased a “through” ticket when boarding the bus on the first leg of their journeys. The majority of bus journeys are made by elderly concessionary pass holders anyway, who get “free” travel anyway (the bill is picked up by the government).

It seems that the only real beneficiaries of the new service will be visitors/tourists arriving by rail at the station.

Low emission taxis come to York

 

York’s ‘first low emission taxi company’ is gearing up to help people get from ‘a to b’ with its new green fleet.

Prius taxi in New York

Prius taxi in New York

Following support from City of York Council, Streamline Taxis has become the first taxi service in York to operate low emission vehicles with 10 new hybrid taxis and one electric taxi. In addition to this, the taxi company has traded in a number of older diesel cabs which will improve air pollution in York.

This follows a scheme which the council launched in 2013 which offered taxi companies discounts off the purchase price of new and used low emission taxis.

York was the first city in the UK to offer taxi drivers funding towards the price of a low emission taxi to help to reduce air pollution through the Low Emission Taxi incentive, which offers up to £3,000 off the purchase price of a new or used hybrid or electric taxi up to five-years old.

The scheme is funded by the government’s Local Sustainable Transport Fund (LSTF or i-Travel York) and has seen an investment of £67k used over the past two financial years.
(more…)

York taxis to give better service for dementia sufferers

People living with dementia will find it easier to travel around the city thanks to specialist training undertaken by local taxi drivers.

Dementia Forward -a registered charity which provides a fully integrated service to people living with dementia – has run three free training sessions for drivers and staff at York’s Fleetways Taxis. The company has subsequently joined York Dementia Action Alliance, a group of organisations and businesses committed to changing the lives of people living with dementia in York.

The initiative is part of a citywide campaign to encourage residents and businesses to become more dementia aware, helping York to become a dementia friendly city.
(more…)

“Unmet demand” taxi use survey in York

click to access

click to access

The York Council has confirmed that it is currently assessing whether there is any “unmet demand” for taxis in the City. The results of the survey may lead to additional licenses being issued.

The revelation comes in papers issued for a “scrutiny” committee meeting taking place on 4th June.

The meeting will review progress being made on other issues relating to Taxis and Private Hire Vehicles including a move towards the use of battery powered cars.

The Council is continuing to seek additional taxi ranks in the City and claims it is now displaying a map of existing taxi ranks on its web site.