Taxi Driver Online

Cabbies bracing themselves for council chambers

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TAXI companies are bracing themselves for a quadruple council whammy which drivers representatives say could force them out of business.


Shropshire Council's strategic licensing committee is consulting on moves which could compel any new or replacement vehicles to be fully wheelchair accessible by April next year - something drivers say is unnecessary and undesirable.


At the same time it will bring in three times a year tests for older vehicles; force down Oswestry fares into line with Bridgnorth and increase vehicle licence fees by 50 per cent next year and drivers licence fees by 120 per cent over three years.


Drivers' representatives have lambasted the council for proposing the measures against national guidelines and without consultation with the drivers.

Mark Higgins, of Oswestry Taxis said that since Shropshire Council took over the number of licensed taxi drivers had dropped from over 100 to around 64 and he feared that the latest moves could finish them off completely.


"When they implement these new changes there are going to be no drivers left. Businesses will have to subsidise it and it will be unaffordable," he predicted.


Mr Higgins said he would be using his two minutes of debating time to oppose the measures when they come before the council on Wednesday.


Andy Goldsmith, Shropshire Council's Assistant Director for Public Protection, said the measures were being taken following three months of consultation with drivers and operators on the abolition of zones across the county and a common set of conditions instituted by a Task and Finish Group.


"The group took into account the findings of the consultation and has proposed conditions that seek to protect the travelling public without imposing unnecessary regulatory burdens on the trade. Their proposals will be considered by the Strategic Licensing Committee when it meets on December 15 and, if approved, will be subject to a further period of consultation before final determination in the New Year," he said.

http://www.bordercountiesadvertizer.co.uk/news/

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

http://www.shropshire.gov.uk/committee.nsf/0/52BA7FD675B73801802577E7004886CC?opendocument

Some interesting statements in the reports

CC

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

Do you think they might wait the outcome of the equality bill before diving headlong into the mire???

I think your right skip.....but saying that, they'll probably deregulate anyway, if they are'nt deregulated already, with any new licenses being WAV only?


CC

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

like Oswestry is any kinda urban centre, you can see wales from there...

"How to kill a Hackney trade without trying"


PH will do well!

That could turn out to be appropriately named

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

As they are de-zoning they really have two choices.

One is to go 100% taxi WAV, the other is stay as they are, but as night follows day most of the lads currently forced to run WAVs will soon bin them off for saloons.

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IDFIMH

I wonder why they are forcing drivers in the higher meter rate zone to take a pay cut some may have commitments based on there income
it would be far better to bring the others up to it

Not for the customers it wouldnt.....besides you offer 20% off anyway

CC

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

No its now £1.00 off with a £2.00 min charge