Cab drivers outraged at having to pay for parking
Friday 3rd September 2010, 2:56PM BST.
Cab drivers are unhappy that they will have to pay to park at the Airport while rank taxis will wait free of charge
PRIVATE cab drivers are outraged at a decision to move their Airport pick-up point inside the short-stay car park.
Cab drivers have described the plans, which mean they will have to pay to park while public taxi rank drivers wait free of charge, as unfair.
They Jersey Competition and Regulatory Authority is investigating the matter and Jersey Airport director Julian Green has said that he will meet drivers over the next few weeks to discuss concerns.
The move is part of a plan to provide a pick-up and drop-off zone for passengers. Drivers will be allowed to wait in their cars for up to ten minutes free of charge in an area just before the departures hall.
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I am sure they can swallow the cost with the prices they charge. Every time I see a cab I think of Dick Turpin.
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Im sure they will pass this charge onto the passanger and end up making more out of it so i really dont know what the problem is. It is only for those that have prebooked taxis anyway. If they dont like the charge then simply dont accept pre bookings for pickups at the airport. If it is a major problem let the consumer give the airport grief. From what i can see the airport is trying to do what is best for the passangers and this is what is important. The airport doesnt make any money out of the taxi service so why should they put special services in place for them.
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We had a passenger pick up point with 10 minutes free parking and then some bright spark decided to make it coaches only……how much is it going to cost to paint new markings on the road and put up new road signs?
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Well every mini-bus and coach that picks people up regardless of how many people they pay every time so the airport needs money lets see now! less people arriving so lets pay the air traffic controllers £500 for there day off and recoup the money elsewhere a few more hotels going to close so lets charge everybody else more in landing fees to make up the short fall and so it goes on and on we all know how it is
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I am outraged every time I have to take a taxi, (when I can get one that is) and have to take out a small loan just to pay the fare.
Jersey must have the most expensive taxis in the world, and probably the most grumpiest drivers!
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To all people thinking of visiting Jersey, don’t visit Guernsey instead, far more welcoming and pleasant. I had holidays in Jersey, sometimes twice a year but in recent years your lovely island has degenerated in so so many ways. No wonder people are voting with their feet.
The government and tourism should hold their heads in shame.
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now they’ll understand the meaning of daylight robbery!
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Private hire cabs are not Taxis…they take bookings and have to go to the airport and wait for their customers…the Taxis park for free,so I understand the private hire not wanting to have to pay to park..it is neither fair or nescessary,another example of paper pushers failing to understand what they are tasked to do.
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I don’t live in Jersey any longer, but spent my last four years there driving cabs (private abs not public rank).
Whilst the majority of passengers are a joy, during that time I had to put up with my fair share of rude and abusive passengers, drunks, people being sick in the cab, threats of violence and on one occasion actual violence (I was spat at and punched) because I was not prepared to give some lout preferences over my pre-booked fare. Despite spending time at the police station making a formal complaint and giving the police witness details nothing happened.
On the one hand people complain about fares and accuse drivers of ripping them off and coining it in, yet when you suggest to them they might want to try doing the job themselves they always reply “No chance, I couldn’t put up with the hassle”.
Incidentally the job isn’t even that well paid, I was a company employee not an owner driver and managed about #650 a week (try paying your mortgage and supporting a family on that amount) for working a 65-70 hour week 6 nights a week. Whilst I (on the whole) enjoyed the work, it was hard going and I did it out of necessity having lost my job in the Finance sector.
Those who deride our taxi and cab drivers should try wearing their shoes for a while, you would then decide that they are worth every penny.
As far as the main story goes, cab drivers go up to the airport for pre-booked work or if the airport is busy and cabs are needed. If a passenger keeps them waiting, which will now incur parking charges the drivers will simply start their meters and charge waiting time.
Yet again a poorly thought out move by the Sates of Jersey.
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At the end of a long and busy business trip; doing my bit to keep the revenues rolling in; i want a pre booked taxi who will meet me and not leave me stranded. If this costs an extra 60p, please just charge me but keep meeting me on time so I can see my family and friends asap.
I feel no glee when arriving at the airport to a lack of rank taxis whilst i have a private hire booked. More like shame on the welcome to Jersey some poor unfortunates receive waiting in a shelter.
A few more plates on the rank might create a hunger in the rank drivers and give rise to some form of work ethic, perhaps before the 3 month trips to the temptations of SE Asia become compelling again.
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Taxis in Jersey are a complete rip off dont worry that 60 p will be passed on to the passenger. I would never dream of getting a taxi in Jersey I’d rather walk.
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Easyjet: Gatwick to Dusseldorf £24.99 (5/10/10)
Taxi: St Martin to Airport £20
Says it all!
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At £15/£17 for a taxi from the airport to town,I’m sure 50p won’t dent their profits!!
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Big Bean…You must be confusing Private Hire Cabs and Rank Taxis. If you feel that bad, try the bus service.
60p, I’m sure the fares Private Hire companies charge no one will notice any difference.
What is annoying them is they will no longer be able to ‘hang about’ waiting to steal a fare off the rank, quite so easily.
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Greedy, greedy, taxi drivers, Red Houses to the airport £6 disgraceful 5 minutes journey, if that’s not greedy what is!!! If you are lucky they MAY help with the luggage
Cheaper petrol / Insurance than the UK but double the prices our politician’s who sanction these charges ARE A DISGRACE never ever use a Taxi unless you are desperate
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Here we go again. The authorities propose charging private hire taxis to wait at the airport, and every clichéd, ill-informed criticism of cabs/taxis rises to the top like fecal flotsam; “most expensive in the world” (How would Bigoted Bean know? He/she probably hasn’t been as far as the airport),prices compared to EasyJet flights by BullSh*t Deluxe,and comment no.15 by someone whose name should be Simon, “£6 disgraceful 5 mins journey”,take off £1:00 for the litre or so of fuel,£1:00 off approx, for self-employed social security, 50p for average car maintenance over the year, £2:00 for a cheap car loan and, in one hour, the grasping B driving the taxi has made £1:50. (On a quiet day, a job an hour is about right, if it goes to Gorey OR Red Houses)I bet your state subsidised income is more than that eh?, Michael.
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If they are picking someone up then they can use the proposed 10min area like the rest of us. If the flight is delayed then park in the car park and charge your fare the additional parking cost. Simples. It is not as if Jersey taxi firms are backward in charging high rates.
As someone else has said they are not (in many cases) picking up prearranged bookings – more hang around to pick up the rank customers. I know because I have often been ‘picked’ up by private hire firms whilst waiting for a rank taxi.
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Bighorse
Taxi driver per chance???
Based on your figures then Easyjet has at least some of the following liabilities:-
Several hundred/thousand quid for fuel
A few million quid for a cheap jet loan
Hundreds of pounds for airport tax
Staff costs
Jet maintenance costs
Grow up and accept you guys rip us off!!
….and to rub salt into the wounds we have to listen to your moaning when you drive us to our destination!!
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A lot of confusing statements on here, Petrol is cheaper in Jersey, insurance ratings are lower for Jersey, taxis in the UK are cheaper despite extra costs including tax on income being much higher so why such inflated prices for our taxis, our taxis drivers certainly will never need to apply for welfare payments, will they?
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In view of some of the criticisms levelled at taxi/cab drivers here, I would like to issue an open invitation to all those who think that it is easy money to get your license and try it for a while.
Once you have walked a mile or two in another man’s shoes then you might think differently.
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Unbelieveable
Cabs and taxis compete, in theory, for your business.
Charging one group and not the other is blantant discrimination and I would expect the JCRA to require equal treatment to both parties.
Another stupid decision from on high.
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Leon2z – I completely agree with you on this, Why do people levy such anger at what are essentially just hard working people. We live in a polarised society where infact, every profession in this island pays over the odds for its services, why should taxis be any different! If you don’t agree with the prices then get a bus or walk!
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Why are you all here blaming the cab drivers about the amount they charge in fares? This is Jersey remember, and the cost of living is that much higher than in the UK and cab drivers have to make a living too. They still have to pay for the high cost of Food, rent, mortgages etc like the rest of us, so therefore it is all relevant. I wonder how many of you are overpaid compared to the same job in the UK?????
It is the States of Jersey’s fault that the high cost of living exists today, so maybe you should be banging on their door to take a look at the wider issue.
………and no I am not a cab driver!
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On the rare occasions that I get a cab, I find it amusing listening to the drivers moaning about lack of business. Obviously none of them understand some basic economic rules. The more prices rise the less demand there is for your product, and if you put prices up too much you get less total income.
Cab fares are a complete rip off in Jersey. in the UK you can pre book cabs for about half the price of the rank taxis in most cities. In Jersey they charge more.
I only use taxis or cabs in Jersey if I have absolutely no alternative. I feel sorry for people who have to use them regularly.
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No. 12.
Not sure which part of St Martin you live. My fare last time was just short of £30 (10am weekday)
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In response to Big Horse (not sure where the bigoted comes from but there you go)
How would I know Jersey’s taxis are among the most expensive in the world.
Perhaps visiting 56 countries in the past 15 years might give me an indication.
Perhaps Bighorse should stick to boring his passengers with his silly assumpltions.
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While the JCRA ( Jersey Competition Regulatory Authority ) are looking into the case of discrimination can they also look into why there is a cartel of licence holders called taxi drivers.
Want to open a sweet shop, restaurant ,clothes shop, or be a self-employed plumber in fact just about any other business there, is no problem. Competition being good for the consumer the Government tells us. Want to be a taxi driver ?
No chance.
Then some taxis drivers work part time and moan because they don’t earn enough.
It’s about time taxis drivers served the islanders, not us serving them.
Mike Jackson; explain why there are less than 400 licences and a resident population of over 90,000 without visitors business or tourists swelling the number even more ?
This is why it is almost impossible to order a taxi after eleven, they are mostly at the weighbridge. Granted it’s a stop and start business with down time, but being so expensive is the reason most people try and get lifts from friends or family.
To end, this is also why businesses( restaurants pubs ) outside St Helier do less business, people don’t want to pay the horrendous charge to get a taxi late in the evening if you can actually book one that is.
Dispense with the monopoly, the taxi service in Jersey is a clear disgrace. How many unemployed locals would love to work driving a taxi, to earn some money and charge less than the cartel subject to a test and correct meter installation checked by the vehicle standards department.
Davey West.
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Aren’t 90% of prebooked cabs hired by corporate businesses anyway?? If the passenger is not evening paying the bill, what is it to them if RBSI, HSBC etc are picking up the bill in the end.
If it’s a problem, they can simply queue with the rest of the public and get a taxi from the rank outside.
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If it is a rank taxi, yes have free parking, if its a private taxi the answer is no. I work and use my vehicle for the buisness im in, and I pay for my parking.
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Jersey must have the most expensive taxis in the world, and probably the most grumpiest drivers
Typical ill informed comment by Big Bean
Here are the facts
http://www.phtm.co.uk/_includes/docs/league_table/1Nb0P6.pdf
15th most expensive in the UK.
There are 20 more rank plates and 50 more company cab plates on the road than in the 1990′s when we had 25000 hotel beds plus 5000 seasonal staff,there are now less than 9000 hotel beds so when you ask a taxi driver ” Are you busy” what do you expect him to say ?
And Davey west “Its impossible to get a taxi after 11″ on a sat not imposssible but if you pre book easy, on any other night of the week fairly easy try it you will be surprised.
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Davey West #27
Sorry to shock but I agree with you.
Perhaps stopping the protectionism of the 400 and allowing mini cabs would alleviate the cab problem.
Anyone with a decent car could earn a few extra quid on a Friday and Saturday night carrying the puking drunks around and earn a bit extra to pay the rent.
Getting them out of St Helier quicker would probably stop a lot of public order offences as well
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The most ridiculous statement ever is from Big Bean!
56 countries in fifteen years gives you the right to use that as the basis of your comment? Firstly, I bet it was from your living room armchair watching TV, but let’s even think for the moment you actually have a passport and did leave the island. That would mean on average close to 4 countries per year (never repeated).
Now given Jersey is a highly prosperous jurisdiction, you can’t compare to places like say Australia, Thailand, South Africa, where the average wage is considerabely less than JErsey.
Also comparing the current price of a taxi in Jersey to the price of a taxi in Thailand fifteen years ago, or even the UK fifteen years ago is ridiculous.
Your statement says more abotu your level of intelligence when it comes to concepts like inflation than it does say anything abotu stamps in yoru passport.
Big Bean – time you jogged on!
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the days for tourist have gone thanks to greedy businesses ,taxi drivers included.when i go somewhere i grab a cab and have always had great service ,not in jersey .the drivers here are rude and think they are so important,all they talk about is money money money.most of them would not be able to do another job as they are not very bright too.it will get worse for them as there greed gets the better of them .sorry big horse did i hit a nerve .
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23 – Bean here, currently living in London. Cost of living in London is higher than in Jersey, however, a cab fare from central to SW9 costs significantly less than a cab from St. Helier to St. Brelade, despite being a greater distance.
Taxi drivers are not forced by law to pick up drunks, but they’ll happily take their money.
Can’t see what the fuss is about, buck up taxi types.
Oh and lets see a late night bus service please Jersey.
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now you taxi drivers know what it is like be ripped off local people and tourists have been getting ripped off by you for years what goes around comes around i would rather walk in the pouring rain than get a taxi
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Traditionally taxi driving jobs were reserved for those who could not afford an education or were not clever enough for a trade.
Lets be honest the act of driving is neither physically challenging or mentally taxing. It is a low skilled menial job. It is not and never has been a gold mine.
The cab drivers in Jersey seem to think they are a cut above the rest and deserve a high wage, house, nice holidays, new T.Vs, private education for their children. Get real.
Wake up cab drivers the golden days of the 60s/70s/80s are over. If you want to earn money re-skill, learn a trade, invest…
Don’t parade around forcing the decline of your trade onto innocent punters fares.
You chose to be a cab driver – live with the consequences.
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I for one don’t mind paying the fee, I don’t take taxis often but when I do I know how much it will cost and base my decision accordingly.
What I do object to is being subjected to moaning about the state of Jersey during my entire trip and how the island is going downhill.
I personally know of two company owners who won’t deal with local taxi drivers any more as their clients spend too long clarifying financial positions after their journey before getting down to the point of the trip! They feel that the taxi journey creates an immediate negative impression, not just of the island but of their company.
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no 30. These tables are for rank taxi’s are they not?
In the uk you can usually book a non-rank minicab for about half the rate of a rank taxi, but in Jersey mincabs charge more than rank taxi’s, so you have no option to save money by prebooking a cab like you do in the UK.
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30. I doubt the validity of the costs quoted for Jersey in the table you provided a link to. £11.50 for a 5 mile journey. I often travel from central St. Helier to the airport – which I reckon to be about 5 miles or possibly less and have never paid less than £15.
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