Taxi Starting Fare in Bristol. Is this legit?

RealGem

Hi, I booked a taxi last night from the Bishopston area to the city centre and the taxi driver phoned to say he was outside the address.

He was not outside at all, and when I spoke to him he changed his story and said he was in a different location, and could I go to him? I have osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia and had a heavy suticase (and even if I didn't, having to go to where the taxi is ...kind of defeats the purpose of a taxi!) I needed to get a coach from Bond Street 40 mins later. I told him this and he finally turned up. 

When I got in I asked him to show me the meter, but he was reluctant to do so. But he eventually showed me his phone app, and the meter said £11.50. I had been in the cab no more than three minutes. 

He said he had started the meter as soon as he knew I was going to town. Well that was ten minutes before he arrived! When he lied about being outside the address. 

He insisted that he only started the meter once I got in the cab, and that in Bristol the start price is £5 and on weekends the start price is £10. 

I did not believe this so he said Do you want me to call my boss? I was certain he was bluffing so I said Go on then. He called him and the boss said the whole fare was £13.50. THAT part I did believe. But I suspected the driver of lying about the start price.

So if £13.50 is correct and it seems to be, the first 3 minutes cost £11.50 and the next 17 minutes cost £2 according to the driver!

While I understand there is a basic start rate (where I live it's £3.50 even on a Saturday, and in at least two other cities it is the same), I find this driver's account hard to believe. 

Please can someone confirm if he was telling the truth? Because I strongly suspect I would have been charged over £20 if I hadn't spoken to his boss. 

Thanks a lot

Tucosalamanca

I don't know the ins and outs of it all, but I'd expect to pay £13.50 from Bishopston to the bus station, particularly at a weekend.

I just checked UBER and it's currently showing around £10-11, hope this helps

RealGem

Tucosalamanca said:

I don't know the ins and outs of it all, but I'd expect to pay £13.50 from Bishopston to the bus station, particularly at a weekend.

I just checked UBER and it's currently showing around £10-11, hope this helps

Thank you sorry, I am rubbish at explaining stuff.

I did believe the £13.50 price. It's the part the driver told me about there being a £10 start fee that I found hard to believe. I will amend my question, thanks. 

JGB1955

The information for hackney cabs is here Taxi fares in Bristol.

Private hire vehicles aren't subject to the same regulations.

RealGem

Is there anyone from Bristol who knows what the basic start rate is for private taxis?

The firm was V Cars / Veezu

Thank you

marcia_

RealGem said:

Is there anyone from Bristol who knows what the basic start rate is for private taxis?

The firm was V Cars / Veezu

Thank you

 Ring the manager and ask 

https://www.v-cars.com/locations/bristol/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIt7Dd2tPT-gIVgdB3Ch0ezwYXEAAYASABEgIXe_D_BwE

KeithP

Could it be that there is a £10.50 minimum fare?

So, the meter shows £10.50 at the start, but doesn't increase until the distance travelled has absorbed that minimum fare.

RealGem

KeithP said:

Could it be that there is a £10.50 minimum fare?

So, the meter shows £10.50 at the start, but doesn't increase until the distance travelled has absorbed that minimum fare.

Yes, that's what the driver was claiming, but the same firm in my town charges £3.50 minimum, even on a Saturday, so I think he was lying. 

KeithP

RealGem said:

KeithP said:

Could it be that there is a £10.50 minimum fare?

So, the meter shows £10.50 at the start, but doesn't increase until the distance travelled has absorbed that minimum fare.

Yes, that's what the driver was claiming, but the same firm in my town charges £3.50 minimum, even on a Saturday, so I think he was lying. 

Different places... different rules... possibly.

strawb_shortcake

Bristol taxis and public transport has always been expensive. At least 7 years ago Bristol to Bradley Stoke was £50. So, yes I can well believe a £10 minimum charge. 

Years ago I used to do some work in the Lake District, someone thought it may be cheaper for a group of us to get a taxi there and back. Bristol companies quoted us £600 to get us there, northern companies quoted us £200 to get us back.

400ixl

This taxi service looks like a brokerage as much as a single entity. Their T&C's say if you believe you were over charged then to contact them to investigate and they will deal with the driver as appropriate.