BOLTON

Private hire operators in Bolton had a meeting this week following a walkout by drivers just days before Christmas demanding more money — claiming in some cases they were earning less than the minimum wage.

The association represents 18 out of the 25 private hire companies in Bolton.

Asif Vali, chairman of the Private Hire Operators’ Association, said: “We told drivers that we would hold a meeting on January 15 after the walkout just before Christmas. We had already agreed to look at an increase at our quarterly meeting in October and had planned to hold a meeting in January.

“Operators have agreed to increase fares by at least 10 per cent. All our members charge different fares and this is a minimum percentage increase on that.

“Drivers were asking for a rise of more than 50 per cent, but customers would not accept that.

“The increase in fares will go to the drivers and is above the rate of inflation.”

An hour-long walkout took place in December, as a number of drivers staged a peaceful protest in a bid to force an increase in fares. Drivers were calling for a 50p extra for every mile of a journey.

A Christmas strike was averted as operators agreed to consider the pay demands.

An increase of 50p per mile would have meant a five-mile taxi ride would increase in cost from £7.50 to £10, if a private hire company charged £2.30 for the first mile and £1.30 for every mile thereafter.

Under the new pricing structure the journey would cost £8.50.

Mr Vali said a 10 per cent price rise would give drivers a substantial pay increase.

A spokesman for the drivers said members are pushing for an extra 10p on the mile on top of the 10 per cent rise — and they were unhappy that the radio rental charge was also going up by five per cent.

Mr Vali said: “Potentially drivers could earn more than £5,000 as an example, depending on the hours they work.”

He added: “Customers will see fares go up and taxi operators have a public duty. Customers would not have accepted the initial increase being demanded, business would be affected. A customer who uses a taxi to and from work could find themselves paying an extra £10 a week. We think 10 per cent increase is fair, but we will keep a dialogue going with the drivers, who we know are not happy. We have met with the drivers and listened to them and given them increase which is more than many other workers are getting.”

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CANADA UBERK

 A judge has given Ottawa taxi plate owners the go-ahead to proceed with a lawsuit claiming the city's decision to allow Uber and similar companies to operate legally is discriminatory.

Justice Robert Smith's decision, handed down Tuesday, acknowledges taxi drivers share the same concerns over the city's new rules. The ruling will allow members of the taxi industry to go ahead with a class action instead of pursuing the matter in court individually.

Uber began operating in Ottawa in 2014. In September 2016, the city amended its taxi bylaw by creating a new category of licence that legalized Uber's business model.
  

Around this same time the taxi industry filed an uncertified class action against the City of Ottawa claiming $215 million in damages.
Claims of discrimination

The suit was filed by the parent company of Capital Taxi and Marc Andre Way, whose family is the single-largest owner of taxi plates in the city. It was the largest lawsuit ever filed against the city.

Taxi drivers claim the city is responsible for losses they suffered after Uber was legalized in Ottawa, according to an overview of the case.

The plaintiffs allege that by welcoming Uber the city has discriminated against taxi drivers, many of whom are "members of minority groups." The plaintiffs also claim fees charged to them under the amended bylaw amount to illegal taxes.

The city disagrees with the taxi industry's claims, but agreed with the court that a class action is the best way to proceed.

In its response to the lawsuit in 2016, the city said it has no obligation to protect the taxi industry from financial losses, and argued the claim of $215 million in damages is grossly exaggerated.

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