Private hire drivers in Accrington, Lancashire, staged an unofficial strike after claiming that they do not earn enough.
Drivers of Max Cabs taxi firm are claiming the fares they have to charge are low in comparison to neighbouring local authorities. Local hackney cabbies and various other private hire firms are also backing the strike, which began on Tuesday. Despite this support, the owner of Max Cabs, Talib Zaman, says he disagrees that the fares should increase.
Talib commented: “Raising the fare is not an option; it’s just no good for the customer. We feel that we are being pressured to overcharge people. If all the bakers got together and raised the price of bread, we’d all be out of pocket. It’s the exact same principle here.”
Taking into consideration rising fuel costs and an increase in cab rental fees, cab drivers in the area claim to have very little take-home pay at the end of a shift.
Hackney Cab Drivers Show Support
In support of the strike hackney taxi spokesperson, Shamsher Ali, said: “It affects us too because our fares are £2.50 on the meter before starting. Drivers are being abused because customers are used to ridiculously low fares.
“We want people to understand drivers just cannot exist on them. After paying for rents and diesel, they are taking about sixty quid home after an eighty-hour week.”
Local MP Left Stranded
Local MP, Graham Jones, said he was shocked to find taxi ranks in the borough isolated after he arrived home by train.
Jones said: “It was snowing and I had suitcases. One striking driver took pity on me and gave me a lift home without charging me. I’ve raised the £1.50 fare with the owner of Max Cabs before as we get on well. I get on well with drivers too, who tell me they are struggling to make ends meet.”