Taxi Complaint.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20625, 28 May 1935, Page 8

Taxi Complaint.

Unfair Methods

Petition Made to City Council. gUGGESTIONS for improved conditions governing the taxi business in Christchurch were put before the Christchurch City Council last night by a group of thirteen independent taxi-drivers. The proposals were referred to the Traffic Committee. A petition was received from Mr J. S Manaer and twelve owner-drivers of licensed motor-cabs drawing attention to the undesirable state of the taxi business at present and complaining mpre particularly of alleged unfair methods adopted. The following suggestions were made by the petitioners as a reasonable solution of the problem: (1) Fares by distance for hire of a motorcab with one to four passengers to be Is 6d for the first mile outwards, or if for a distance less than one mile, Is fid for such part of a mile outward, thereafter at the rate of 9d per half-mile outward. For five to seven passengers, for the first mile outward 2s, and for distances of less than one mile 2s for such part, of a mile outward. Miles outward should mean any distance or part of a journey that was not a direct return to the place of hiring. All other items in the scale of fares to remain as at present. *2) As trade signs were said to be the main means of making the present trouble and its continuance, it was suggested that as all licenses on the public ranks were 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. They would also carry the official disc number as at present. All taxis would be painted one official colour or combina tion of colours. (3) Telephones would be erected on all stands. These would be made available to all drivers of motor-cabs licensed to use the ranks, cost to be apportioned between all licensees. (4) 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. (5) The petitioners were definitely against the creation of any new stands unless the above conditions were fulfilled. That is (1) set fares, (2) trade signs abolished, (3) telephones erected available for all. (6) The prohibiting by by-law the touting of licensed vehicles so as to be heard on any street. This would entail the insertion of one or two words in the by-law. The' report was referred to the Traffic Committee.