HIGHER CHARGES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 187, 9 August 1930, Page 7

HIGHER CHARGES.

DECISION OF TAXI COMPANIES

FOUR OPERATING NEW SCALE

The increase in petrol tax has decn followed by a decision by four of the principal taxi companies in the city to raise their scale of fares. The new charges provide for an increase of Od for the fourth and fifth miles. The increase became operative this morning. The Checker Taxi Cab Company, Ltd., Chess Taxi Cabs, Ltd., Black and White Cabs, Ltd., and Fed Top Cabs, Ltd., are the companies concerned, and the amended scale of fares is as follows: — One mile, ]/; two miles, 2/; three miles, 2/0; four miles 3/; five miles, 3/. There will be the usual charge of Cd additional for each half-mile travelled over five miles. A revision in boundaries has also been agreed upon, a definite five mile radius being fixed for the first time. The boundaries are: — From Meola and Walker Eoads, Point Chevalier, to the Oakley Bridge on the Great North Road, along Carriugton, Gladstone and Mount Albert Roads to Royal Oak. From Royal Oak the boundary passes along Campbell Road to the Harp of Erin, up Wairakei Street and across an imaginary line through Ellerslie Racecourse to Abbotts Way, through Grand Drive to Meadowbank Road and down to the Orakei Basin. This is approximately a five-mile radius from the city. Should the journey start or finish within the boundary, the same scale of fares will operate. In th e event of the journey being entirely outside the boundary, however, an extra sum will be charged for the distance travelled from the boundary line to the point of taking up the passenger. It is pointed out that the average taxi trip is from two and a half miles to three miles, for which the fare remains at 2/6. Fares charged by other taxi concerns outside'the four companies mentioned will continue as at present. "Wo are just keeping to the same fares apportioned by the meters," said the manager of one of the largest companies this morning. "We realise that the City Council has fixed a scale of fares to protect the . citizens, of Auckland from over-charging. Wc consider it is a reasonable fare both from the point of view of the public and ourselves. It vis unlikely that the council will permit an increase, but so far as I am aware none of the independent companies has asked for an amendment of the scale of charges in view of the increase in y the petrol tax."