Tom Thumb wrote:
Well responded Mr Cabby.Pleasure to discuss the topic with a London Cabby who argues his points and not simply throws insults.
I fully agree with the level playing field comments. My views are based on what I expect the Private Hire industry in London will become over the next three or four years.
Clearly I see the PH industry developing into large fleets of good quality cars and professional drivers. These companies will focus purely on the corporate market, how the cash in hand/pocket industry develops in the suburbs will be another matter.
The PH trade, in my view, if it wants to succeed, have got to join with the licensed taxi trade in eliminating the touts. The touting is what the LPH largely originates from and has to shed itself of this millstone around its neck if they want to be seen as truly legitimate. Their presence is a constant reminder of what you once were often seen as - so the question is, how to get rid of it?
There are still too many minicab 'cowboys' (drivers) out there, although seeking legitimacy, who want to do work out of the gaze of the office and take the full amount from the passenger with no deductions by the boss. Sorely tempting for some out on the street, but unless their licence and their reputation is worth protecting they will never really shake off this 'back-pocket' practice, will they? If they were adequately paid the likelihood of this happening would be much less and the safety of the public would increase. (Insurance-wise).
The recruitment of new drivers, or should I say lack of it, is going to have an impact and it will be the minicab offices who will have to face the Real world. With driver licensing a pre-requisite now, buiding a professional team of drivers can only come about by having suitable rewards and long-serving drivers and not the cheap labour that has been their salvation for too long.
Indeed, times ARE changing. Unless the high turnover of minicab drivers is reversed little progress on the lines you envisage is likely to take place on any large scale. High standards is surely the best way forward, but it comes at a price. Some are indicating that they don't want to pay this price and are moaning already. They wanted a licensing system - well, they got it! No raising of standards, less chance of legitimised progress.
The taxi trade has its problems too, to a certain extent. Taxi drivers are highly trained and good at what they do. Their world-wide reputation is not based on urban myth. They are a fiercely independent group of individuals who express their individuality in many different ways, including dress code. Some are not aware what an impression they make on corporate clients in this regard, if they are not dressed as well as perhaps they ought, particularly radio circuit drivers. It's a touchy subject, but in my view it is something we as a trade should consider for our collective good and I don't mean the introduction of uniforms.
Even the worst touts in the street are often better dressed than some taxi drivers; but appearance, when it comes to safety has little meaning. We are highly trusted even if some drivers go to work in a string vest and shorts in the summer, and look like they have just come off the beach. Strange, but true.
Minicab drivers can be 'suited and booted' but, according to the statistics from TfL, are still responsible for one rape and 3 sexual assaults every week, on average. It seems there is no rhyme or reason to the difference.
I see no reason why there shouldn't be a legitimate private hire industry but it shouldn't try to encroach into traditional taxi work if it is to abide by the regulations recently laid down. If they persist in 'eating away' at the taxi trade then why did they want so-called legitimacy, when what they were really seeking was to be taxi drivers via the back door.
That, in my opinion, will never be allowed to happen regardless of how much lobbying is undertaken. The LPH trade, from much of what they have done, are very jealous of us and want to be where we are, but seemingly by stealth. They don't have to be jealous - they only have to apply for a taxi licence and/or a taxi proprietor's licence and join us. The front door is open - they don't have to try and get in surreptitiously via the back door.
Cruisin' Cabby
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posters mentioned that at times it would get heated, and alas sometimes personal. It was also mentioned that my 'Rose Tinted' glasses would get very steamed up at times.
