4.3 Fares, Meter Usage & Professional Conduct

4.3 Fares, Meter Usage & Professional Conduct

Professional taxi and private hire drivers operate as key ambassadors for public transport. Licensing authorities regulate fare structures, meter operation, and professional conduct standards to ensure fair pricing, passenger accessibility, and high levels of customer service across the trade.

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Taximeter Operation & Fare Structures

A taximeter is a precision electronic device that measures distance and time to compute the maximum legal fare for a Hackney Carriage journey.

[TAXIMETER FARE TARIFF STRUCTURES]
 ├─► TARIFF 1: Standard Daytime Rate (e.g., 06:00 to 22:00, Mon-Fri)
 ├─► TARIFF 2: Night-time, Weekend & Evening Rate (e.g., 22:00 to 06:00 & Weekends)
 └─► TARIFF 3: Public Holiday Rate (e.g., Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year's Day)

Hackney Carriage Fare Rules

• Council Table of Fares: The maximum fares chargeable by Hackney Carriages are determined by the local licensing authority under Section 65 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976. This fare chart must be displayed inside the vehicle in full view of passengers.
• Mandatory Meter Engagement: The taximeter must be switched on as soon as the passenger enters the vehicle and the journey commences for any trip within the licensing district.
• Maximum Fare Limit: A Hackney Carriage driver cannot charge more than the fare recorded on the taximeter for journeys within the district boundary. A driver may choose to charge less than the metered fare, but never more.
• Out-of-District Journeys: If a journey starts inside the district but finishes outside the licensing boundary, the driver and passenger can agree on a fare prior to starting the journey. If no fare is agreed in advance, the driver cannot demand more than the metered amount.

Private Hire Vehicle (PHV) Fare Rules

• PHVs do not operate under council-set fare tables.
• The fare for a PHV journey must be agreed upon between the hirer and the licensed operator at the time of booking (either as a fixed price or calculated via an operator app algorithm).
• PHV drivers cannot alter the agreed fare or demand additional unquoted surcharges upon arrival.

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Receipts & Financial Transparency

Providing transparent receipts is a basic statutory and professional requirement.

• Right to a Receipt: Drivers must provide a legible written or electronic receipt upon request by any passenger.
• Mandatory Receipt Details:
  1. Date and time of journey.
  2. Total fare paid (itemizing any authorized extras like luggage or toll charges).
  3. Vehicle licence plate number or driver badge number.
  4. Name of the private hire operator (for PHV trips) or Hackney Carriage proprietor.
• Digital Receipts: Electronic receipts generated automatically via dispatch apps meet statutory requirements provided all required information is included.

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Equality Act 2010: Assistance Dogs & Accessibility

The Equality Act 2010 imposes strict legal duties on taxi and PHV drivers regarding disabled passengers and assistance dog owners.

[EQUALITY ACT 2010 MANDATES]
 ┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
 │ 1. Assistance Dogs (Guide dogs, hearing dogs, etc.)   │
 │    - MUST be carried in vehicle cabin with owner.     │
 │    - CANNOT charge any additional fee or surcharge.   │
 ├────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
 │ 2. Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles (WAVs)              │
 │    - MUST assist wheelchair users into & out of car. │
 │    - MUST secure wheelchair using approved restraints. │
 │    - CANNOT charge extra for loading or ramps.        │
 ├────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
 │ 3. Medical Exemption Certificates                     │
 │    - Granted ONLY for proven severe medical allergies. │
 │    - Official notice MUST be displayed on windscreen. │
 └────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Statutory Penalties for Non-Compliance

Refusing to carry a passenger accompanied by an assistance dog or charging an extra fee for an assistance dog or wheelchair user is a criminal offence under Sections 168–171 of the Equality Act 2010. Conviction carries fines up to £1,000 and almost certainly leads to immediate driver licence revocation by the licensing committee.

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Health Act 2006: Smoke-Free Legislation

Under the Health Act 2006 and the Smoke-free (Premises and Enforcement) Regulations 2006, all licensed taxis and private hire vehicles are legally classified as smoke-free public spaces.

• Absolute Ban: Smoking inside a licensed vehicle is strictly illegal at all times under the Health Act 2006—even when the vehicle is off-duty, unhired, or being used for personal social driving. Using e-cigarettes or vaping is additionally prohibited at all times by local licensing conditions.
• Signage Requirement: Licensed vehicles must display mandatory "No Smoking" symbols visible to passengers.
• Penalties: Drivers who smoke or allow passengers to smoke face fixed penalty notices or court prosecution.

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Professional Standards, Route Selection & Customer Care

To maintain professional excellence, drivers must adhere to established standards of conduct:

• Route Optimization: Drivers are legally bound to take the shortest and most practical route to the passenger's destination, unless explicitly instructed otherwise by the customer. Taking circuitous routes to inflate metered fares ("overcharging") is an offence under local bylaws.
• Customer Courtesy & Safety: Drivers must maintain a polite demeanor, assist with passenger luggage, keep the vehicle interior clean and odor-free, and maintain appropriate cabin temperature and sound levels.
• Conflict Resolution: If a fare dispute arises, drivers should remain calm, explain the fare table or operator quote clearly, provide a detailed receipt, and offer the passenger the operator or council licensing contact details rather than engaging in heated confrontations.

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Real-World Practical Scenarios

Scenario A: The Passenger with a Guide Dog

Context: Driver Tom pulls up to pick up a passenger who has a Labrador guide dog wearing a harness. Tom has mild dog hair allergies and tells the passenger, "I can't take dogs in my car, you'll have to call another cab." Analysis: Tom has committed a severe offence under Section 168 of the Equality Act 2010. Drivers CANNOT refuse assistance dogs unless they hold an official Medical Exemption Certificate issued in advance by their licensing authority and displayed on the windscreen. Tom faces a criminal fine up to £1,000 and revocation of his private hire licence.

Scenario B: The Bank Holiday Fare Calculation

Context: On Christmas Day (Tariff 3), a Hackney Carriage driver picks up a street hail. The meter shows £18.50 at the destination. The driver asks for £25.00 cash, claiming Christmas Day carries a mandatory £6.50 personal tip surcharge. Analysis: The driver is guilty of overcharging. Tariff 3 on the council taximeter already incorporates the approved Christmas holiday rate. Demanding more than the meter display breaches Section 65 of the 1976 Act and local bylaws.