ON JULY 24 your front page story reported the increase in fares being introduced by Apple Central Taxis between the hours of 1-5am on a Sunday, with a view to making this a permanent increase. The reason for this increase, as stated by the owner Robert Ro

ON JULY 24 your front page story reported the increase in fares being introduced by Apple Central Taxis between the hours of 1-5am on a Sunday, with a view to making this a permanent increase.The reason for this increase, as stated by the owner Robert Rowe, is the extortionate increase in fuel prices which is hitting everybody.The truth is a large percentage of the drivers on this company are drivers of Hackney carriages, and they have made the decision to work off the ranks at this time on a Sunday morning in the belief they would earn more using those tariffs. I believe the decision to increase the fares could be to entice these Hackney carriage owners back into the fold in order that the company's regulars are not left waiting for long periods due to a lack of available vehicles.We as a company will not be increasing our fares during this period on a Sunday morning nor at any other time. Should there be the need for an increase in fares due to the rising cost of fuel, we would be talking in pence, not pounds.Taxi companies survive or fall as a result of the service they provide and this should be the priority.MARLENE JONES (owner) - ARC Taxis, Weston