Living wage 2015 is £7.85 P/H are taxi drivers entitled to earn it?

At Hart Taxis we have consistently thrived to give our drivers the financial reward their job deserves along with real value for money for our clients.  It is this mutual respect between clients and drivers that has seen Hart Taxis voted the “Best Taxi Company” in Fleet two years running.

At present our fares from Fleet – Heathrow are very competitive but as an industry we are starting to see drivers hours increase to unacceptable levels.  This is mainly caused by companies saturating the market with vehicles when they don’t have the work or prospect of work for new drivers or vehicles.  As well as this they are reducing fares ensuring drivers from all companies work longer to earn a wage they can live on.  This may appear great from customer point of view, cheaper fares, more taxis on the road but it is also potentially lethal with tired drivers behind the wheel.

So what is a fair rate to Heathrow T5?

As self-employed drivers Hart Taxis believes that our drives should be able to earn £7.85 per hour after taking out all their running costs.  Compared to working in Tesco’s, Sainsbury’s  and many other industries this is still a very low wage, especially when living in the Hart District.

We are recommending a £1 increase from Fleet – T5 taking it up to a fixed price of £45 excluding Xmas and New Year holidays and this is a break down of driver costs. This increase will take effect from 6th April 2015 but will not effect bookings made in advance of this date.

• Driver pays 20% commission to the hiring company £9.00
• Fuel for 50 miles round trip in an average car is £6.50
• Tax & National Insurance contributions as self employed approx £2.50 approx
• License fees to Hart Council £400 per year so approx £0.30 per job
• Running costs excluding fuel £6
• Admin costs £2
• 2 hour round trip x £7.85= £15.70
• Driver profit £3

The figures above allow owner drivers to earn the living wage plus a very small profit.  Hart Taxis will never undersell it’s service and will always aim to provide the best Real Value For Money transfers which enable our drivers and passengers to travel in real safety.