In message , Paul Cummins
writes
In article ,
(Mike Hughes) wrote:

But can you be *sure* that the driver is licensed, insured and that
the vehicle has been tested to a high standard?

Given that all Minicabs in London must be licensed, tested and drivers
screened, yes.

Not quite, yet. Although all vehicles and drivers *should* be licensed
this process is still on going. Theoretically all operators and drivers
should be licensed while vehicles should all be license by June 2005
If you really want to get ripped off then try taking one of the
'minicabs' from the West End and then compare that with the price for
the same journey in a licensed taxi.

If you use a reputable company with licensed cars and drivers, it should
be comparable to your Black Cab charges.

It's a pity that Black Cabs are as likely to screw you over - like the
one that took me from Kings Cross to Waterloo by way of London Bridge -
to avoid the shoppers in Kingsway... at 11.30 on a Sunday Night!

While London Bridge is probably not a valid route, going via Blackfriars
could well be for a number of reasons. There could well be a difference
in the fare for a number of reasons - leaving Kings X requires that you
first go up York Way then back down Caledonian Road to get back almost
to your start point. Also fares are higher after 10 p.m. than before
that time. Given these factors it could well be that the return journey
is about 50% more making a figure of £14-15 quite possible, especially
if you get stuck in any traffic (and yes it does happen on a Sunday
night)

Can we have more details of your outward journey? Was it in the day time
or at night? Was it any special time of the year (Xmas, New Year, etc)

What time of t he year was this? Was there any road works? Let's have
*all* the facts please - then we can join in your condemnation if it is
rightly deserved.

He wanted nearly £16 - He got £9.50, the same thing it cost to go the
opposite way 6 days before.

I don;t use Black Cabs if I can possibly avoid it.

So you'll get in a minicab off the street? This immediately invalidates
any insurance they may have - just pray that you don't have an accident.
I've picked up several customers who have suffered at the hands of
'minicabs' only to find that they have no means of compensation. It's
your life, so make the choice.

--
Mike Hughes
A Taxi driver licensed for London and Brighton
at home in Tarring, West Sussex, England