UNFAIR TRADING ALLEGED

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21484, 28 May 1935, Page 10

UNFAIR TRADING ALLEGED

CHRISTCHURCH TAXI , INDUSTRY PETITION TO CITY COUNCIL Suggestions for improving the taxi industry in Christchurch, which was claimed to be in an undesirable state, were contained in a petition from 13 owner-drivers of licensed motor-cabs presented to the Christchurch City Council last evening. A uniform scale of fares, the abolition of all trade signs on motor-cabs, and telephones available to all were the three chief suggestions put forward by the petitioners, who complained particularly of unfair methods adopted by two taxi firms, the Blue Star Taxis and the Gold Band Taxis.

The petition was referred to the council's,new trafiic committee.

Complaints About Fares "The indefinite wording in the scale of fares makes more than one fare possible," stated the petition. "Blue Star Taxis are using this ambiguity to allow their members to charge fares one way only. Other taxis are suffering loss of business because they must charge a fare which the City Council intended originally when it. framed the scale of fares in October last. To keep faith with the public, the Blue Star drivers are often compelled to drive long distances to pick up passengers at no charge whatever. These are definite breaches of the by-law, notwithstanding the widest interpretation of the wording of the scale of fares. It is possible for a wrong fare to be charged unintentionally, owing to the freedom given a driver by the wording of the scale of fares. Gold Band Taxis and Blue Star Taxis are advertising and charging fares from 30 per cent, to 50 per cent, below the scale of fares.

Taxi Stands "Irregular permission has been given to Blue Star Taxis to use positions as taxi stands, not being regulation stands, thus permitting un? lawfully breaches of By-law 14, sections 99, 94 (9), and 101, this being grossly unfair to other taxi men, they not having this permission. The City Council has allowed the work of years, aimed at bringing uniform working conditions to the taxi ranks, to be held in abeyance by the importunity of the one firm, the Blue Star Taxis. The illegal use of suburban positions as stands and the suspension of the compulsory fares (with the council's assistance as above) has introduced reduced taxi fares, and as a consequence lowered the standard of living to taxi men.

"If all taxis are to be compelled to charge one and the same fare, telephones should be installed on the ranks under the council's control (as required by the Telegraph Act). This is necessary both to the taxi men and the public.

A Solution Offered "We offer the following as a reasonable solution to this problem:— "Fares by distance for the hire of a motor-cab with one to four passengers to be Is Cd for the first mile outwards, or if for a distance less than one mile, Is Gd for such part of a mile outwards. Thereafter at the ra«,e of 9d a half mile outward. For five to seven passengers, for (he first mile outward 2s, and for distances of less than one mile 2s for such part of a mile outward. Miles outward shall mean any distance or part of a journey that is not a direct return to the place of hiring. All other items in the scale of fares to remain as at present. "As trade signs were the main means of making the present trouble and its continuance, we suggest that as all licensees on the public ranks are entitled to equal treatment both from the council and the public, all trade signs should be prohibited except an official lamp carried at the hood with the word taxi in white, on, say, a green background. Also the official disc number as at present. All taxis to be painted one official colour or combination of colours.

"Telephones to be erected on all stands. These to be made available to all drivers of motor-cabs licensed to use the ranks. Cost to be apportioned between all licensees. "Notices to be painted on all telephone cabinets to read 'All taxis charge the same fares.' "Telephone installation to be conditional to the making of set fares, not otherwise. The variety of fares was the cause of the breakdown of the telephone service previously. Low fares weaned patrons away from other drivers till the telephones were of no use to any but a few of the larger firms. "We are definitely against the creation of any new stands unless the above conditions are fulfilled. That is (1) Set fares as set out above; (2) trade signs abolished; (3) telephones erected avaPable for all.

"The prohibiting by by-law of the touting for licensed vehicles so as to be heard on any street. This would only entail the insertion of one or two words in By-law No. 17."