“Still cheaper than taxifirst, or whatever they are called these days!”

“@Plymouthtaxis
Thank you for your wishes to my family but I think perhaps you have misunderstood my comments, firstly you have mistaken me for someone else and decided to air your dirty linen so to speak about the persons running this service. From the comments I made it was not meant to report and get anyone in trouble , I was purely trying to highlight that the service I use in my opinion is a quality one. I know in every occupation there are a few bad ones but not so in this case. As a customer I am entitled to ring who I like, and myself and my family like this one. As for sensitivity on undercutting I know he was forced into doing this by other HC drivers, yes his colleagues taking fares from behind him on a rank, and I would guarantee if this happened to you or any other HC drivers you would not be happy. Would you fight for your livelihood? I think you know the answer to that. I have nothing further to say on this matter but would again like to say thank you for your wishes to my family.

Gerald Lewis”

“@biggerry
Mr Lewis I hope you take up my advice and report the driver concerned at the Plympton rank to the proper authorities via phone, letter or email. George and Mark from my experience are very thorough in their investigations and I will share your concerns and story with them when I have an opportunity to see them next on the ranks. Elderly passengers particularly those wheelchair bound should not be treated this way, over the years there has been a culture of exemption certificates being handed out "willy nilly" , some drivers have been known to go running to the council for life time exemptions, its a practice that I do not agree with. If you are not fit enough to push a wheelchair into the back of a WAV then you are not fit for purpose in the Hackney trade and should return to saloon car driving, Im sure this is a point you and your mother also agree with me on.I will not go any further with my views on the practice of undercutting as you do appear to be sensitive to my opinion on the subject and wish no ill feeling. May I on behalf of the decent element of the Plymouth Hackney Trade wish you and your family all the best for the future.”

“If you don't like it, get a bus. It's no surprise with the increase in the price of fuel.”

“I do feel sorry for the Taxi Drivers. There seems to be too many hackney cabs these days in Plymouth, and I doubt an extra 50p will do them any good. I do the same journey which is between £4.30 and £4.50 depending on the cab. I usually give the driver £5 and say keep the change. So in my case, he will get the same as he was before the increase from me.
They are known as expensive, but some of the best drivers in Plymouth with a great knowledge of the area drive for them.”

“@plymouthtaxi
Firstly I would like to point out that once again you are wrong, there is 2 guys running this service and last week I had to wait a little longer than normal as one of them was having a service, is this vehicle neglect? No. Secondly when my mother gets in the cabs, she is always secured in by the straps and is totally comfortable, and lastly the fellas don't seem to be running at a loss due to all the grateful people who can now afford a taxi, hence more fares. As for get rich quick, they clearly are not doing this but they are earning an honest living. But if your really that aggrieved with them leave your real name and I will pass on your concerns to them both and perhaps you could meet up with them to air your views.

Gerald Lewis”

“It all sounds a bit like price fixing to me. A few well-known supermarkets got into trouble for fixing Milk prices a while back so how can Cab drivers get away with what seems like a "gentleman's agreement" in only charging what is on the meter?

In my opinion from reading these posts, it appears that there is a fair bit of animosity available for anybody trying to undercut the competition and yet, how many people would feel it was right if Petrol stations, Supermarkets and any other retailer was to do this?

Imagine being told that the cost of bread was going up to £3.00 a loaf and every supermarket was going to charge the same to avoid upsetting each other?

It seems that Taxis are exempt from price fixing laws then.”

“@biggerry
Mr Lewis you are correct I dont own Plymouth Taxis but have been a driver for them for many years. I would firstly like to apologise on behalf of the vast majority of my colleagues for the behaviour of this individual at the Plympton rank and would also like to point you in the direction of Messrs Curness and Small based at the Civic Centre building , Plymouth City Council who police the Hackney and Private Hire trade in the City, I am sure they will deal with your grievance if you give them the details of the driver and vehicle registration number. I must say I am somewhat shocked at your accusations as I know a couple of the experienced guys who have used that rank for years with regular customers and its the first time I have heard of this sort of activity taking place, im sure George or Mark will also confirm this to you if you contact them. On your point of jealousy then you are reading me totally wrong sir, my concern is that the concept of this enterprise is floored not only because they must be running at a loss which in turn means the possibility of vehicle maintenance neglect and risk to passenger safety but also that this is as Gemma quite rightly pointed out yet another attempt at a try to get rich quick scheme that is doomed to failure, the taxiworld in Plymouth is a small village and the "brains" behind this venture has previous with a lot of my colleagues.
Ask him why he left the company I proudly work for Mr Lewis I think you will be shocked to hear the answer. Enjoy the service whilst you can because if form is anything to go by it wont be around for much longer.”

“If you collapse, from old age, or health reason, then a black cab driver will not help you.”

“@plymouthtaxis
Also while i am at it, please look at the actual advert 'Gary Graham, Dave Couch' these are obviously hackney carriage drivers who do not agree with the price increase, will they put there fares down? They have stated that they are embarrased and think it will harm this trade so why put this fella down for doing exactly that! You obviously have a personal problem or is it just jealousy, as he has done it before you!!!”