Taxi Driver Online

http://www.dft.gov.uk/consultations/clo ... chspec.pdf

Above are the new Taxi specifications to accompany the new Equality Bill. We all know many of the the bill's contents are likely to be watered down, but I must stress this bill has already 2 readings in the commons, the last being in the end of May this year. The bill was left over from last parliment, so is a priority for this term. If it goes through in the present form it will cost us a fortune. I have posted a link so you can all read it but these are a few of the points that jumped out on me.

1. The wheelchair dimensions. Page 4 tells us that wheelchair users need 1290mm height on current models used. The TW200 is the biggest vehicle I have seen but its door height is only 1250mm 40mm short of existing requirements and a whopping 250mm short of the requirement for NEW vehicles i.e. 1500mm. The TX4 is nowhere near either of these. The TW200 has only 1200mm lenth on the floor for a wheelchair, the new requirement is 1300mm.

P19 of the report shows that new vehicle are required to have an induction loop for people with hearing aids. Hearing aids have a "T" position on thier controls, when selected it connects by bluetooth to your intercom so partially deaf people can comunicate clearly with the driver. How much is that going to cost ?

P19 of the report tells us that "talking taxi meters" are a requirement for new vehicles. Presumably this is to tell blind people how thier fare is escalating, but imagine the headache a voice say £2.30, £2.50 £2.70 £2.90 £3.10 all day long. Unless of course it just repeats the fare when you stop and total up. Either way everybody needs a new meter just for the very odd occasion when a blind person gets in. How much will that cost us.

God help us lets hope this Bill gets squashed or at least gets well watered down.

Source= mrblack.proboard

Will it stop the Doblo's??

No the bill has provision for rear loaders. Individual councils do have the power to stop them though. However many manufacturers have launched new PH vehicles to cope with the expected demand look in the trade mags and you will see new models based on Ford Connect, Volks Caddy, Citroen Berlingo, Peugot and Fiat freedom. I dont think its a coincidence so many have been launched now.

http://www.dft.gov.uk/consultations/closed/consulttaxis/

The results of the consultation;

http://www.dft.gov.uk/consultations/clo ... report.pdf


CC

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

Do I take it that these new regulations are going to be europe wide?
If so can you see the French and the Spanish accepting them? How many WAVs are there in Spain as we speak?

_________________
Grandad,

Captain cab

Did any one attend the DFT workshops

The figure of 40 in paris was recently mentioned

That figure amazes me, I didn't think it would be as many as that.

_________________
Grandad,

The NTA and STF in so far as I'm aware attended various workshops throughout the country.

CC

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

A sledge hammer to crack a nut..a biggish nut maybe! If its going to be purgatory to everyone in the trade I'll think Id rather sell up and let the poor old punters walk, its not as if many newbies could start up with an all whistles and knobs fully compliant Wav and still make a living out of the job..not in this area at least.

Think I'll then Vote labour...the creator of this monster and sign on the dole where they would look after me in glorius splender..I feel my back playing up so Incapacity benefits should be obtainable...Indeed my knees a bit stiff to and along with a bout of depression then I shall drive away with my Mobility car and Disability allowance...that should work out Tax free at around £20,000 per year.

Damn what im I waiting for..I could live that life now..and have the profits of the sale of my cars...


Thank you Gordon Brown and Harriet harman....youve made my day

Dobloist.