L ONDON'S bus system is threatened with another hack on the
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shins, this time by taxi owners charging separate fares to parties sharing cabs. A scheme drawn up by the Department of Transport allows a driver, withLi I
e consent of the first passenger, to spend two minutes seeking others to the same destination.
Combined fares would obviously be higher than the rate for one passenger but the individual amount should be less. If the scheme helps to solve the problem of the vanishing taxi whenever it rains, it will be welcome.
But I foresee embarrassments. Passengers, although hound for the same general destination, will no doubt expect to be set down at different points, which could cause arguments. Who will be anxious to appoint himself as fare collector? What does one do about the person who never has change? And who will decide on the size of the tip and hand it over? Not I, thank you.