taken from cab trade newspaper of the T&G
Following the decision in early January by Train Operator, Silverlink to evict the taxi trade from the forecourt rank and award an exclusive franchise to a private hire firm, T&G members have mounted a 12 hour daily picket. Last month’s drive-in supported by fellow union members from around the country ensured that the dispute remained at the top of the political agenda.

taken from the institute of licensing lastest newspaper
Fearful that Silverlink’s success in excluding hackney carriages at Watford Junction may lead to similar action at other stations throughout the country, the TGWU organized what was promised to be a large-scale protest attended by taxi drivers from throughout the country. In the event, only halfdozen supporters from London, Mansfield and St Albans turned out, and other ‘slow-drive’ protests tended to be quickly dispersed. Whilst the longer-term effects of the dispute, both in the town and on the wider national stage, are still to be played out, the immediate effects have been obvious. Previously a small player in a town of ten private hire vehicle operators, AA United has rapidly grown to be the largest, now employing over seventy vehicles on three shifts in which they limit their drivers to working only seven hour days. The public are reassured by the presence of a booking agent at the station during the day and night, who can tell them how long they will wait for the vehicle to arrive – a luxury previously denied to taxi users. Watford’s night-time revelers now benefit from a more plentiful supply of taxis as drivers are forced to work at the more lucrative times rather than from the more lucrative pitch.

We have now got a big long contract for the station. Nothing will take it away from us. Not even the half a dozen from elsewhere who want to stick their noses in our business.

Look after your own area and let us look after ours.

taken from cab trade newspaper of the T&G
Following the decision in early January by Train Operator, Silverlink to evict the taxi trade from the forecourt rank and award an exclusive franchise to a private hire firm, T&G members have mounted a 12 hour daily picket. Last month’s drive-in supported by fellow union members from around the country ensured that the dispute remained at the top of the political agenda.

taken from the institute of licensing lastest newspaper
Fearful that Silverlink’s success in excluding hackney carriages at Watford Junction may lead to similar action at other stations throughout the country, the TGWU organized what was promised to be a large-scale protest attended by taxi drivers from throughout the country. In the event, only halfdozen supporters from London, Mansfield and St Albans turned out, and other ‘slow-drive’ protests tended to be quickly dispersed. Whilst the longer-term effects of the dispute, both in the town and on the wider national stage, are still to be played out, the immediate effects have been obvious. Previously a small player in a town of ten private hire vehicle operators, AA United has rapidly grown to be the largest, now employing over seventy vehicles on three shifts in which they limit their drivers to working only seven hour days. The public are reassured by the presence of a booking agent at the station during the day and night, who can tell them how long they will wait for the vehicle to arrive – a luxury previously denied to taxi users. Watford’s night-time revelers now benefit from a more plentiful supply of taxis as drivers are forced to work at the more lucrative times rather than from the more lucrative pitch.

We have now got a big long contract for the station. Nothing will take it away from us. Not even the half a dozen from elsewhere who want to stick their noses in our business.

Look after your own area and let us look after ours.

Why dont the taxi lads just join the ph firm?
Then they will get loads of work from the station and have half a chance of getting one back to it.
I think they need to bite the bullet and start paying the bills instead of whining.

I dont think we have a duty to carry anyone.
If we did then we wouldnt be losing all the work to the ph trade.
The reason some people use ph is a sad inditment of our trade.
We have lost them because they dont want to use us.
In some areas we are to dear. In others we dont cover the area as we should.
Some are just to concerned with keeping the plate val;ue than offering a service.
And that from someone with half a dozen cabs in an unrestricted area.

My friend. Why has the ph trade grown by nearly 200% in the last 15 years, and the cab trade by about 10%?
Is it becuase ph are better cars than taxis, I dont think so.
It's because they are flexible and can meet any new custom.
Whereas taxis have to have many meetings just to show ourselves how important we are.
Take my station. The passes went up in price in line with inflation, no big deal.
However the hot heads wanted to do this and do that, which could have lost us the station to others.
Do you think a ph firm would have objecyed to an inflation incresae.
They would have bit off there hands.

taxis are the most versatile public transport this land has to offer, regretfull the nutcases that dont see this.