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PostPosted: Sat Jul 23, 2011 7:30 pm 
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Press Release Dated 19th July 2011

Today the Transport Select Committee has published its report “Taxis and private hire vehicles: the road to reform” in which the case is clearly made for parliamentary legislation in the current Parliament to overhaul the rules and legislation, much of which goes back to 1847.

NATU is delighted that many of the Committee’s recommendations show a way to achieve better quality provision of taxis for users.

More liaison with taxi users

NATU strongly welcomes this: there is an urgent need to listen more to users, particularly vulnerable groups such as the disabled and those on lower incomes who are heavily reliant on taxis and PHVs. The establishment of NATU will also bring the views of users to the table at a national level. Related to this is one of the report’s most important recommendations – namely that taxis and PHVs should feature more prominently in local transport plans (LTPs) and that Government should issue guidance to local authorities to help ensure this. Currently many LTPs ignore the role of taxis especially in providing the missing link to and between other methods of public transport. This means, for instance, that ranks are frequently in the wrong place and unsigned, and that information on taxis and PHVs is absent from local authority web sites.

The impossibility of maintaining the current distinction between Hackneys and PHVs

Another helpful recommendation is to combine the legislation on taxis (hackneys which can be hailed) and private hire vehicles (PHVs – which need to be booked in advance) into one Act. However, NATU disagrees that the current distinction between hackneys and PHVs should be maintained within the legislation since the widespread use of mobile phones means that users can simply phone the number on the side of the PHV from the street. This is why users are so confused or even unaware of the distinction.

New boundaries

NATU also supports the idea of creating larger licensing districts which will simplify the process, reduce costs and fit the reality of the growth of conurbations and suburbs.

Improve the quality of taxi services

NATU welcomes the recommendation that the background of drivers should be carefully vetted and loopholes eliminated. This would avoid the current situation where in some areas drivers with criminal records, including sexual assault, are able to obtain a licence. Another essential recommendation is to develop national standards to improve the quality of taxis and their maintenance. However, it is disappointing that no specific mention has been made of the need to improve standards of driver and operator training, currently often non- existent, of a low standard, or easy to manipulate.

Conclusion – bring taxis into the 21st Century


In conclusion, the Committee has been bold in grasping the nettle, challenging vested interests and raising much-needed policy changes. There is still much detail to debate but overall NATU will be urging the Government to introduce new legislation to bring taxi travel into the 21st Century.


Should taxis and taxi drivers be licensed nationally?

QUESTIONS FOR DEVELOPING A TAXI USERS’ MANIFESTO

Should taxis and taxi drivers be licenced nationally with common standards applied to all (as for buses and bus drivers or lorries and lorry drivers)?

Should NATU include the need to end the two tier system in the Taxi Users Manifesto?

As long as the two tier system exists, should NATU include the need for all hackneys to be purpose build vehicles and thus easily distinguishable from private hire in the Manifesto?

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PostPosted: Sat Jul 23, 2011 7:33 pm 
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Sussex wrote:
Another helpful recommendation is to combine the legislation on taxis (hackneys which can be hailed) and private hire vehicles (PHVs – which need to be booked in advance) into one Act. However, NATU disagrees that the current distinction between hackneys and PHVs should be maintained within the legislation since the widespread use of mobile phones means that users can simply phone the number on the side of the PHV from the street. This is why users are so confused or even unaware of the distinction.

Interesting. Is there a theme developing? :-$

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PostPosted: Sat Jul 23, 2011 9:54 pm 
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Who are The National Association of Taxi Users and who is behind them?

Who are Kristine Beuret & John Austin and what are their motives?

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PostPosted: Sat Jul 23, 2011 9:58 pm 
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gusmac wrote:
Who are The National Association of Taxi Users and who is behind them?

Who are Kristine Beuret & John Austin and what are their motives?

We had a thread about this seven months ago.

http://www.taxi-driver.co.uk/phpBB2/vie ... hp?t=15771

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PostPosted: Sat Jul 23, 2011 10:07 pm 
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Shouldn't take too long for the NATU mob to come to a consensus.....

....Only got about 20 members to consult.

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PostPosted: Sat Jul 23, 2011 10:09 pm 
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Chris the Fish wrote:
Shouldn't take too long for the NATU mob to come to a consensus.....

....Only got about 20 members to consult.


Do they all belong to the same PH circuit? :oops:

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PostPosted: Sat Jul 23, 2011 10:14 pm 
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Chris the Fish wrote:
Shouldn't take too long for the NATU mob to come to a consensus.....

....Only got about 20 members to consult.

It's not the numbers that matter, but how loud they can shout.

And that lot seem quite savvy on what's what, and how to make their mark.

Most of the cab trade could do with copying them, instead of ridiculing them.

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PostPosted: Sat Jul 23, 2011 10:19 pm 
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Sussex, you are so right.

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PostPosted: Sun Jul 24, 2011 4:23 am 
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Here are a few other links folks may find helpful.
Who is bankrolling them I wonder? Government? There is plenty swill in this trough that's for sure.
With their backgrounds impartiality is certainly out the window for us.
I imagine setting this up under our noses relies heavily on the apathy factor to fly right over our heads.

http://mediaweek.blueboomerang.com/listings/270218/
Looks to me like a spin project given to the academics with government finance?
From http://www.transport-associates.net/mem ... memberID=8
Kristine Beuret.
Social Research Associates
12 Princess Road West. Leicester. LE1 6TP
Tel: 0116 2858 604
Email Kristine Beuret
Website: http://www.sraltd.co.uk



Kris Beuret OBE FCILT FIHT is the Director of Social Research Associates (SRA) a company which specialises in public involvement and research into social aspects of transport. Kris has advised Government, the House of Commons Transport Committee, TfL and the DfT, including Crossrail, on diversity issues. She has also served on the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC) and is currently a member of the Independent Transport Commission.


Recent Projects
• Study of the role of taxis in journey choices - view
Study of the role of taxis in journey choices

Taxi strategy is a special area of expertise and studies have been carried out for a number of local authorities. Evidence has also been prepared and presented as an expert witness in court cases.

Contact: Kristine Beuret.



• Road safety and the integration of Education, Training and Publicity Work - view
• Modal choice decision making - view
• Docklands Light Railway Walking Audits (2006 to date) - view
• The link between public transport use, perceptions of security and walking - view


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