| Taxi Driver Online http://www.taxi-driver.co.uk/phpBB2/ |
|
| Perth taxi policy row http://www.taxi-driver.co.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=14876 |
Page 1 of 1 |
| Author: | captain cab [ Fri Sep 10, 2010 9:42 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Perth taxi policy row |
Perth taxi policy row A PRIVATE hire taxi operator yesterday called for the local authority to deregulate the trade and end years of a lucrative “black market” trade in their prized plates. Bernie Munro was responding to last Friday’s PA article highlighting fears voiced by several key players in the local taxi industry. They expressed “deep concern” that Perth and Kinross Council could be tempted to deregulate the Hackney cab trade, creating a “free for all” on Fair City streets and jeopardising ongoing investment in vehicles, support services and staff. But private hire operator Mr Munro, of Bernie’s Taxi Services operating from Perth’s Oakbank Road, insisted it was time to open up the market in the best interests of drivers and the public. He said: “Last week, some operators were warning us of chaos, job losses and madness if the council contemplated deregulation of taxis. That shows only their self-interest in the black market of taxi plates and the stranglehold they have at present on the taxi business. “But does the council have any option but to deregulate taxi plates due to the greedy minority of plate holders who control the majority of council plates?” Mr Munro said single Hackney taxi plates had changed hands locally for sums up to £50,000. “Yet council officials tell us taxi plates have no monetary value other than the annual administration charge of £240,” he protested. Mr Munro said it was high time the council reclaimed control of their own taxi plates. He questioned how often a taxi plate was ever handed back to the council which had given it out, perhaps decades ago. “That just doesn’t happen – they have acquired a currency,” he insisted. “Older drivers looking to retire see it as a nest egg. I have every sympathy for them but it was never theirs to sell on.” Another driver told the PA: “Why should you have to dip into a black market to earn an honest living? “Deregulation would open up the market, be fairer and still provide the public with a good service.” He maintained that in the past the local authority had vetoed the transfer of taxi plates between operators, but claimed around a third of the 73 plates were controlled by “one man who has never driven a taxi”. Mr Munro added: “Perth taxi needs should be decided by the people of Perth, not a handful of operators. The public are happy to get a taxi when they need one. “If deregulation would threaten 300 jobs, how many jobs would it create? The opinion of a few multiple plate owners should not fool the people of the Fair City. “Could it just be possible we can look forward to a fair market in the taxi business, where hard working taxi drivers can serve the customer rather than black market middlemen?” A spokeswoman for Perth and Kinross Council said: “We are aware of a number of different cases where the taxi business is subject to a partnership agreement. “In those cases, the taxi plate is held in the name of the partnership. That is an acceptable method of holding a taxi plate in terms of the legislation. “There is nothing in the legislation which prevents one individual from holding more than one taxi operator licence either as an individual or in partnership.” http://www.perthshireadvertiser.co.uk/perthshire-news/ |
|
| Author: | Sussex [ Sat Sep 11, 2010 8:45 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Perth taxi policy row |
captain cab wrote: He maintained that in the past the local authority had vetoed the transfer of taxi plates between operators, but claimed around a third of the 73 plates were controlled by “one man who has never driven a taxi”.
SNP got rid of the Land Barons for them to be replaced by the taxi version. 
|
|
| Author: | Jasbar [ Sun Sep 12, 2010 1:45 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Perth taxi policy row |
Sussex wrote: captain cab wrote: He maintained that in the past the local authority had vetoed the transfer of taxi plates between operators, but claimed around a third of the 73 plates were controlled by “one man who has never driven a taxi”. SNP got rid of the Land Barons for them to be replaced by the taxi version. The momentum is building. This is why Dundee are going down the wrong route. For the city to restrict licences now would be a return to all the problems. 50 grand licence plates. Fixed rentals that don't vary with market conditions. Punters unable to get a taxi at peak periods. The risk of the public coming to harm through getting into unlicensed vehicles or walking the streets in the dead of night. This what Dundee want? Shouldn't it be demanding higher regulation to keep out the fly by nights? Restriction is a disgrace in any free market economy. It stifles enterprise. restricts employment (sorely needed now). It corrupts the market in favour of a privileged few. And it gives the public a raw deal through lack of availability and higher tariffs. |
|
| Author: | BusyTodayCabby [ Sun Sep 12, 2010 4:25 pm ] |
| Post subject: | |
Same old crap yawn, yawn, yawn. |
|
| Author: | toots [ Sun Sep 12, 2010 5:11 pm ] |
| Post subject: | |
Quote: Restriction is a disgrace in any free market economy. It stifles enterprise. restricts employment (sorely needed now). It corrupts the market in favour of a privileged few.
When you say it stiffles enterprise are we talking about similar enterprises such as Addison Lee or Delta were drivers are exploited on a daily basis to line the pockets of the privileged few. Imo and experience the only people who benefit from de-restriction are the PH companies and the unemployment agencies. Best practise doesn't really like it when there are onerous conditions attached to the license of a taxi and having false obstacles put in place and calling them regulations are such onerous conditions that the best practise is referring to. Restriction would work fine if they actually prevented the selling of vehicle licenses when not being used by the holder for a vehicle they drive or by restricting the amount of plates issued to an individual or a 'company'. If you wanted to work in a truely free market go be a PH driver |
|
| Page 1 of 1 | All times are UTC [ DST ] |
| Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group http://www.phpbb.com/ |
|