Taxi Driver Online

Forgot to add that most PH drivers here still clamour to get a Hackney plate..... why I don't know? They all seem to think that the grass is greener..... Then find out the opposite!
In 23 years I've seen 'em come and go....
In the old capitol city of England it's survival of the strongest and fittest....
Strangely enough it's the ones with the "progressive" ideas and only in it for five minutes that go by the wayside never to appear again.....

Doesn't Winchester come under the title of City?

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Grandad,

That would upset the saloon fraternity and THAT is NOT the done thing....
Which ever way you see it, sooner or later it will catch up with them....
It's true that some infirm elderly folk and some other folk do prefer saloons, (mostly ultra short journeys) Oh and the "We are cheaper than the big cabs ploy" (when in fact the same!!) but they are becoming the minority...... I always say to the punter you get more for your money AND you can stretch out, carry more folk (cheaper) and so forth.....
Also I too often see/hear disgruntled saloon drivers moaning about bilkers....
No problem with a Hackney spec wav.... Unless one is stupid and let's the punter out before they have paid or better still have paid fare upfront (night time) just in case!!.... Sixth sense savvy?
Let's not forget the the protection in a Hackney spec wav either.... forget the "It's less personal bit" and turn up the intercom!!
Ever wondered why the "iffy" types/bilkers prefer saloons/private hire?
Those unfortunately wheelchair bound, plus mums with prams/buggies, punter with lots of luggage/shopping/trolleys bla bla, tend to opt for a Wav when there is one available on the rank at the end of the queue.
Far easier to clean out if a punter gets "travel sickness".... Bucket of hot water, disinfectant and sponge plus one up on the soiling charge. Back on the road in less than 15 mins and not the faintest whiff of vomit, wretch wretch!!
So is this not the future for anyone thinking about entering the trade as a "career" I wonder!?

Yep it sure does...... Has a cathedral don't you know.... but is small and very affluent or "effluent" depending on which part one lives in....

Sooner than they think.

http://www.taxi-driver.co.uk/?p=1493

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IDFIMH

So that actually backs up what Edders said about citys having more private hire than hackneys.

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Grandad,

I think the word was "big"? Winchester is not "big" Just flooded with private hire.....

.......All wanting to get Hackney plates.....

That's a tad pressumptious don't you think

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Note to self: Just because it pops into my head does NOT mean it should come out of my mouth!!

But true

CC

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

Shall assume from that comment that Wincester is regulated still

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Note to self: Just because it pops into my head does NOT mean it should come out of my mouth!!

Absolutely not!! There is no limitation here, just "quality control."
The "Equality act" prevents the Council here from limiting unless the all important "unmet demand" survey takes place..... Cabbies here can't afford it, Council can't afford it..... catch 22 scenario.
Licensing admit we are well over prescribed by 65 cabs (and still rising) and say it should be one cab per 1000 population, Winchester around 65000 including villages etc. Altogether 129 of us in total. They are sympathetic, but are powerless if someone produces a Wav and can jump through the hoops!! They have tightened it up as far as they can without contravening the "act" So it's survival of the strongest, fittest (slipperiest) and cleverest will survive.....
As for the 218 private hire most are made up of part timers, fill in work, or those trying to escape the effects of the reccesion with more coming in by the month..... and dare I say it? Most are from "ethnic minorities" who travel here from all over, some as far as 60 miles!! So it's pretty much dog eat dog here and as soon as as someone is selling off cheap and given up, or retiring they're in like a shot!! Thinking that it's greener on this side and then finding out to their stupid dismay that it was all a myth!!
It gives you some idea as to how desperate the situ has got here....
Thinking of applying here then?

142 cabs for a population of 12700 here

Well we are on less than the minimum working wage after overheads are taken out.... so you must be on zilch?

I take it then that the fact the 218 PH vehicles don't wish to be WAV's is the reason why you think they are all wanting HC plates?

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Note to self: Just because it pops into my head does NOT mean it should come out of my mouth!!