Why Do Taxi Fares Vary So Much?
Taxi to the bank please…
Getting a taxi for some people is a highly indulgent thing to do. When people are used to getting buses or driving, getting a taxi normally means that they are splashing out or on the way to a night out. For others, getting a taxi is a daily necessity. They may need to get around town quickly or need to ferry guests or clients about which would rule the bus or the underground out. <br/><br/> However often you get a taxi you will have noticed that the cost seems to vary dramatically even though you are going similar distances each time. Here are some of the reasons why your fare will be so different. <br/><br/> Day of the week <br/><br/> The day of the week in which you are travelling makes a big difference to your taxi fare. Based on how busy taxis get as the weekends roll around they increase the standard fare they charge you per mile. So instead of how they would charge you on a weekday, they charge you maybe 20% more per mile at the weekend. This not only covers them for all the extra driving they have to, it covers them for the different lengths of journey they have to make. During the week they may make fewer but longer trips, while at the weekend they make a lot more but a lot shorter trips. This means they can expect to make the same amount of money per trip. <br/><br/> Time of year <br/><br/> The time of year is another big factor in how much they charge. If there is a big festival on in the city or something taxi firms may charge you a higher fixed initial price when you get in, but still stick to their regular per mile charge. This can happen with regards to Belfast taxis when Belfast taxi fares may go up during holidays and events. This just takes advantage of the increase in business over this period and exploits the fact there are more people who may not know what their taxis fares are normally. <br/><br/> Bigger taxis <br/><br/> Some taxi firms charge more for taking more people. The thinking behind this is that a heavier car uses more petrol and therefore will cost more for the taxi company in petrol or diesel. Also if you order a 7 seater or a 12 seater taxi you can expect to pay more for this as the risk to the driver is higher and more skill is required to control the vehicle. More people, more work, more variables and more opportunity for there to be an accident. <br/><br/> <br/><br/>
About the Author
Sam Qam is a Belfast taxi driver. He has spent several years working on Belfast taxis and has seen Belfast taxi fares go up steadily in that time.
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