Taxi Driver Online

Taxi fares for first in the queue?

TAXI drivers in Torridge are to be consulted over a contentious policy of hiring cabs.

Conditions state that drivers should not accept a fare if they are not at the head of the Hackney Carriage stand.

However, many members of the public have a favourite operator that they prefer to use, and if they accept a fare when not at the front of the stand, they are said to be committing an offence.

As a result, Torridge District Council is reviewing its current policy about hirings from a taxi rank and is consulting with members of the trade.

The council said the issue of hiring from a taxi rank has been the subject of numerous discussions in the past with the local taxi trade and is contentious.

The condition — to not accept a hire if not at the front of a Hackney Carriage stand — has been attached to the licence for many years, but the council says has never been rigorously enforced.

In a report to the licensing committee, licensing manager Tony Nicholls, added: "The reason for this is that, in a small town like Bideford, many members of the public who use taxis have a favoured operator who they use regularly.

"If at the time of their arrival that operator happens to be part way down a rank, they will wish to hire the vehicle at that point rather than wait for the operator to move to the head of the rank which could take some considerable time. By accepting such a hiring, the driver is contravening the condition of licence and commits an offence.

"In larger towns and cities the system of 'first cab on the rank' works effectively because there is generally no personal relationship between the hirer and the proprietor of the vehicle.

"There is therefore no reason for a member of the public to hire a cab other than at the head of the rank."

Mr Nicholls said the issue has been raised on a number of occasions by members of the trade.

He added: "Efforts were made several years ago to enforce a 'first cab on the rank' policy, but it proved controversial and was unpopular with the public who felt it restricted customer choice.

"The trade is also split with some drivers wanting the licence condition properly enforced, while others are content with the present arrangement whereby the public may hire a cab at any point on the rank."

The committee heard that there are legal implications for the authority in failing to enforce the condition. And the district council can either enforce it or rescind it.

The consultation through questionnaires will take place with results reported back to the licensing committee before any decision is made.

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

I was recently reported for not taking a fare when i was second on the rank.I still send them to the first car i think it is only fair.

I dont think Skippy is going to like this article

CC

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

Yes i remember reading one of his posts on (etiquette was i in the wrong)

For the sake of fairness it should always be the 1st cab in the queue should be 1st off, but, reality is it's customer choice. As said in large cities it's not really a problem but I would think in smaller towns where everybody knows everybody there is bound to be some favouritism and as to whether you regulate that I'm not so sure

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

They dont seem to have that in Skippys manor.....but tbh he doesnt seem to mind telling the rest of the country what WAV's they should have, so why should I care

CC

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

I also think that it is not always the case that the first car gets the job.In Dundee their are a lot of different types of taxis so first car may not be suitable for the job ie wheelchair, 5,6,7, seat-er taxis.

Thats 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

I always thought it was a un written rule,i did not know that some areas had it as part of there conditions .

I don't know how enforceable it is....perhaps that's why the council are thinking about removing it.

CC

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

The cabs enforcement officer who interviewed me after the complaint did understand where i was coming from and said i had no case to answer.But you are right it would be very hard to police especially with the different types of Taxis

And drivers.

If the customer got in your cab...and you were second cab....and they told you the driver in front once overcharged them / killed their guinea pig and they didn't want to get in with the minging tw*t.....what you supposed to do?

CC

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

If people want to use a particularly operator ring them, if you're going to a taxi stand use the first one.

In a city like mine that has a a WAV only hack fleet there's no difference except that some have a different seating capacity (5, 6 and 7)

Anyway, I've already spouted my opinion on this subject in several topics around here already so there's no point me bleating on.

Are you suggesting that some drivers are hygienically challenged

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

Yes...some of them smell like poo

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