Taxi Driver Online

Here in Leeds, the local council over the festive period introduced taxi marshals at four ranks around the city, they were manned from 2300 - 0300 Fri - Sun, it was funded via an initiative from the council....while it lasted it was great....we could actually get on ranks without having to fight the private hire minicabs for fares ( we have a major, major problem with illegal plying for trade), with the same council's licensing department noticeable in their absence with a view to enforcing THEIR OWN RULES; but that's another story!!
The news that has filtered out today is that there will be no more funding for the marshals, but in their wisdom the council, and Metro the local transport have announced their freecitybus, which has been going for a year now, has been given more funding to continue running from the train station on a loop around the city centre and back....quite apart from the fact that this bus is free, us Hackney drivers are losing out on fares, albeit small, but none the less welcome...and the people that pay for this service are the council tax payers of this city. It's not sour grapes, but how come the council can't find the funding for the marshals, yet can for the freecitybus???
Sorry for the rant, but what are your views please???

a link for the Leeds freecitybus >>>>>>>>> http://www.wymetro.com/News/070129-1.htm

a link to the local council commitee meeting (item 14)>>>>>>>>>>> http://www.leeds.gov.uk/moderngov/ieListDocuments.asp?CId=174&MId=1215&Ver=400

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best regards

Surely it's in the police's best interest to get the marshalls back, as the quicker the trade can clear the crowds, the less chance there is of trouble.

Do you have a local trade association that could enlist the police to get the marshalls back?

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IDFIMH

Down here (Cardiff) they have extended it for another couple of months, but from one rank only The idea was to get the punters to go to one rank as if, anyway the guys rank/pick up all over the city so it does not make much difference.

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if you cannot be yourself, then who can you be.

I think generally most folks think marshall are good for the trade.

But who pays is the issue that maybe Gov should get involved with.

Methinks the drinks licensed trade should meet the bill.

They cause the trouble, they should help solve it.

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IDFIMH

A pound to a pinch of salt it will land in our laps - cost wise, or am I being cynical - nah they would'nt do that would they?

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if you cannot be yourself, then who can you be.