Taxi Driver Online

Taxi firms in Gloucester have hit out at new Government legislation to remove roof lights from private hire vehicles.


They believe the measure could put potential customers in danger of being picked up by unmarked, unlicensed drivers.

John Dancey, owner of John's Private Hire, feels the new legislation could have a devastating impact.

"It is ludicrous," he said.

"There is a massive safety issue here. Anyone could pose up as a private hire driver in a bogus car.

"Within three months someone will get picked up and they will be raped or assaulted."

He claims he was given 48 hours notice by council officials on Friday last week to remove the lights from the private hire vehicles.

Meanwhile, he said members of the public will not be able to identify a private hire vehicle if the legislation is passed.

"If someone comes out of a club or bar at 1am, they're not going to be able to tell if the car is the one they booked or not," he said.

"People will just be getting into anything that is parked up and that is where the danger lies.

Crazy

"This really is absolutely crazy. We are trying to run a professional business here and this is a backwards step."

Les Hawkins, co-owner of Andy Cars, which is based in Eastgate Street and has a mixed fleet including taxis and 45 private hire vehicles, thinks the council is in the wrong.

He said: "This is totally out of order.

"The customers are up in arms as well. They are not going to know what is a taxi and what isn't."

A spokesperson for Gloucester City Council said: "Following Government guidance and consultation in October and November with private hire and taxi drivers in the city, the licensing committee is looking at updating the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licence conditions.

"This involves considering the removal of roof signage from private hire vehicles and the introduction of numeracy and literacy tests for all drivers and this was agreed in principle at the November meeting.

"The safety of members of the public is of paramount concern and to ensure this, the proposals would see the introduction of mandatory door signage for private hire vehicles in the city. This would be as well as the identification plate on the rear of the vehicle and the photographic driver identification cards.

"Private hire vehicles should only be picking up pre-booked customers and should have a name, location and time, which was pre-specified by the customer. They must not ply for hire."

http://www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk/gloucestershireheadlines/Gloucester-taxi-firms-hit-lights/article-1575806-detail/article.html?cacheBust=KR3465XTJkYu&success=true#community

Typical over reaction by PH, if they are pre booked the customer will be waiting.

The paper is just as bad using the word taxi to describe private hire.

CC

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

At last, a sensible authority that knows how these roof lights are abused by drivers masquerading as licensed Taxis.

I tend to agree GBC, the statements of the PH would suggest illegal plying is rife too

CC

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

They will.

The licensed Taxis will have roof signs saying 'TAXI', and the pre booked cars will have a nice registration plate on the front and rear that the company can text / tell the punter all about, and a nice PH license on the back bumper.

The driver will also have his nice little i.d card.

Simple really.

Almost revolutionary ffs

CC

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

Don't forget that some councils also have nice big oval stickers on the rear doors.

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Grandad,

Another reason roof signs aint needed.

CC

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

And anyone could buy a Ph or a Taxi roof sign and pretend just the same..

Personally I think no roof signs for PH is the best option...Ive seen lots of PH's using roof signs that at first glance made me think they were Taxis..and im PH..

Wonder what legislation that is?

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IDFIMH

Well it was very strange in Gloucester tonight seeing all the PH without their roof boxes. There was a few clever ones who had the roof lights on the rear parcel shelf all lit up. Whilst i was sat crawling down kebab ally i noticed two coppers pointing at the PH behind me who still had his box on the roof, i heard the one say see that one there he is illegal and went over and pulled him over dunno what happened but all i could see in the mirror was the car stopped, all the doors open on the car and a copper inspecting his plate.

I think it’s a good idea.
I took my roof light off ages ago when I was on circuit. Bloody people ran out in front of the vehicle, when roof light was on the vehicle and turn off.