TAXI FARES INCREASED

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28158, 22 December 1956, Page 13

TAXI FARES INCREASED

TELEPHONE HIRING 6D EXTRA

Taxi fares in Christchurch will increase from today. The Canterbury branch of the New Zealand Taxi Proprietors’ Federation has been authorised by the Commissioner of Transport (Mr H. B. Smith) to increase various categories of charges.

The increases are to compensate for the rise in the price of petrol, extension of the meter area and for the recent increase in wages, mainly as it affects telephone and radio-telephone operators.

The main increase allowed is 6d on all taxi bookings by telephone. The half-mile passenger flag fall of 2s 6d, previously applied to three passengers, now applies to only two. For every other passenger the flag fall is increased by 6d.

Waiting time still works out at 10s an hour, although there are variations for times within the hour. The hourly hire rate is fixed at 4s 3d for 15 minutes or any part of that period, and the minimum rate has been reduced from 17s to 9s.

A charge of 6d for carrying a pram has been allowed, but pushchairs will continue to be carried free.

Two children under 15 will be counted as one adult, but babies in arms will travel free.

Luggage which can be placed inside the taxi will be carried free, but bags carried in the boot or on the carrier will be charged for at the rate of 6d for the first two bags and 6d for each succeeding bag.

For night hire a flat rate of an extra Is has been fixed for all fares between midnight and 7 a.m. The new order provides for the “soiling” or damage rate to be increased from 10s to 30s. It also provides that a person who books a fare may be required to pay 5 per cent, of the fare in addition as a booking fare.