Source: WiganToday.net Published Date: 19 January 2010
Wigan’s private hire taxi firms capitalised on the cold and hiked up fares throughout the icy period.
But private hire bosses said this was the only way to keep their businesses ticking over, as many drivers did not want to risk the dangerous conditions.
Aristacars charged customers double fare for the first day of the January snowfall and Orrell Cars also charged double during the iciest period.
Pemberton Taxis decided to charge double fare for the beginning of the week, which saw the worst of the weather, and said if Wigan sees another bout of freezing temperatures, they would consider upping their prices again.
However, bosses said it would not be a decision easily made.
Pemberton Taxis manager Tommy Hunt said: “I made the decision on whether to put the prices up, but the decision was not taken lightly.
“We started with charging double for the first six hours then we dropped it and added £1 on the fare.
“But it was taking that long to get everywhere, we had to drive at 12 miles per hour sometimes, and drivers were risking it going out anyway that we decided on charging fare and a half.
“Our customers were just happy somebody could get them to work.
“Drivers just didn’t want to risk going out in the bad weather so we had to put prices up, to make some money.”
Laura Davies, 23 from Orrell was shocked to discover the charges.
She said: “I ordered a taxi from Pemberton Taxis going from Rivers Street, Orrell to Ormskirk Road, Pemberton. This normally costs about £3. But when I rang them, the operator informed me that it would be double because of the weather.
“I cancelled and rang another firm instead who were just charging £1 extra, which I think is reasonable, but asking £6 for a small journey is absolutely ridiculous.”
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