| The council was responding to the claim of a city taxi man that it was enjoying a 26% discount on fares from the company operating the present contract.
The council would not confirm or deny the 26% discount claim for reasons of commercial confidentiality, but said there was nothing wrong with it striking such a bargain. Tenders are now being invited from taxi and private hire firms for a new 12-month contract to transport passengers and property. The journeys are for a number of departments, but not schools, whose taxi trips are covered by a separate contract.
A Dundee taxi man, who declined to be identified, said the council was also offering subsidies of £1500 a year for five years to encourage operators to run wheelchair-accessible vehicles.
The taxi man questioned why the council was offering subsidies to one branch of the trade and bargaining for discount from another. These moves could be construed as giving some parts of the trade an unfair advantage.
A city council spokesman said the council had an annual contract for a taxi service and the purpose of it was to secure “value for money” for the council. “There are other requirements of the contract, like whether the vehicles can be used for people with disabilities, whether their drivers have attended a disabilities awareness course and whether their drivers have a dress code,” he added.
“As to discount on the metered rate for journeys, that is for companies to consider. All taxi companies able to meet requirements of the contract can put in a bid.” |
