A few observations in 2023
After a ten-year hiatus Waverley Council finally bowed to driver pressure and authorised an increase in the meter rates to help us cope with the cost of fuel and the rise in the cost of living. This most welcome occurrence meant that our rate went from £2.4 per mile (or £1.20 round trip) to £2.8 (£1.40) but still in no way reflected the fuel rise of one-third, or our electricity doubling, or our home heating oil going from 28p per litre in Summer 2021 to over £1 a year later. The cost of taxi journeys from Haslemere and surrounding areas to London, as well as all the airports and cruise terminals were increased, but unless metered are still under-priced…but the market will not accept a full, realistic price rise. Gatwick in particular remains too cheap at £95 for what is a 100-mile round trip and is far below the £137 it would be if metered, and I can see a time when we might not service the airport, not wanting to be ‘busy fools’.
For some strange reason the public thinks that taxis should be cheap, readily available at all hours and not subject to inflation! We are not subsidised like buses and trains and are a business, here to make money and nothing else. We have taken the decision to stop short local trips as we are tired of customers’ comments and mild abuse at the new pricing - one memorable phone call from an entitled woman in which she accused me of being dishonest and trying to rip off an older customer for a metered £40 trip to Guildford. Charming. It seems the public think that they can speak to us as if to a servant or the lowest caste of workers, not worthy of their politeness. One learns a lot about people doing this work and we are often amused at how hoity-toity the try-hards are - they are not aware we view them with the contempt they deserve and block their numbers after one awful encounter. Sorry, was that Bouquet or Bucket?!
However, we are blessed to encounter many lovely customers, many of whom we get to know very well, driving them regularly to all kinds of places, with good conversation and genuine two-way respect for their custom and manners in return for our reliability and friendliness. They are intelligent enough to understand price increases and show us respect with their punctuality, so they get the very best back from us.
There are now a few unlicensed taxis in Haslemere, either because they did not ever bother going to Waverley Council in the first place, or they have had their license withdrawn for unacceptable behaviour toward the public. - price gouging, physical assault, or sexual harassment. Alarmingly, once they lose their licence Waverley Council has absolutely no power to pursue them and it becomes a police matter, but they will only act after being presented with much evidence- and who has the time or the head space for that? The public should always look for the Council plate on the rear of the vehicle as well as ask to see the driver’s credit card-sized photo licence……BECAUSE it you have an accident in an unlicenced taxi there is ZERO insurance cover for your injuries or loss of belongings….and the driver will face jail time.
We are in the quiet time of the year and are looking forward to all the airport and London trips that come with Spring- as well as the weddings, Cowdray polo, and the Goodwood events. Rest assured we are professional, diligent, and above all safe to drive you and your loved ones.
