Taxi Driver Online

Howards Solicitors
Taxi – press release
25th August 2011

Manchester taxi trade to fight Council’s “unfair restriction” of trade at airport
LEGAL taxi trade specialists Howards Solicitors will be representing the Manchester Cab Committee in its bid to lift alleged restrictions of trade at Manchester Airport.

Peter Eatherall, taxi law partner at Howards, will be representing the Committee’s fight to fully open up business to the trade at the airport.

The Manchester taxi trade has taken issue with the Council for giving Arrow Cars preferential treatment in its dealing with the airport and its passengers. This has effectively shut out competition, according to the Committee.

The Manchester Cab Committee brings wide support and is made up of the GMB Union, Taxi Owners and Drivers Association, Airport Taxi Association, Mantax and Taxifone.

The complaints focus on Manchester Airport’s website booking facility for taxis, as well as its booking kiosks in the three main terminals, which are devoted to Arrow Cars at the expense of rivals. There are also objections from the trade regarding Arrow Cars’ unlawful ranking activities.

The Committee now has barrister’s advice and representation through Howards Solicitors, with a possible judicial review to follow to determine the law on this matter.

Sean Kenny, chairman of the Manchester Cab Committee, comments: “We have no problem with competition. We do take issue though when a private hire office opens next to the taxi rank and misleads customers by calling themselves “Taxi Private Hire.” In addition it has vehicles illegally ranking and what can be consider unbalanced promotion by Manchester Airport. Then, it’s not fair or acceptable.”

Kenny also points out: “Manchester City Council compels all Hackney Carriages to meet a rigorous set of standards concerning issues such as driver knowledge and wheelchair accessibility at some considerable cost. Private hire do not have to meet the same high standards, including licence fees, yet are being given the opportunity of immediate hirings. This opens up another issue of fairness in the eyes of many in the trade.”

Eatherall, who has direct experience of running his own taxi firm before migrating his knowledge to law, comments: “The Council do not feel there are any issues that need to be radically addressed, but many, many voices within the trade in Manchester strongly believe that there are.”

“We have tried to resolve what we think are sound grievances through dialogue with the licensing and legal departments of the Council. We have not received a constructive response. The Manchester Cab Committee has been left with no other choice to resolve the matter other than through legal recourse.”

Contact details
Rob Baker
Artisan Marketing Communications
07957611834
rob@artisanmc.co.uk

I was under the impression the Airport gave the contract to Arrow.

CC

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

I can't see what they hope to achieve if their arguments are based on what is fair rather than what is legal

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

Going to end in tears.

But at least some will be having next year's holiday paid for.

_________________
IDFIMH

what are the black cabs going to achieve apart from a huge legal bill, they will just have to accept the fact that robust competition is the way in which the real world operates.

Am I correct in the assumption? The Manchester Taxi Trade, who benefits from their council's restrictive practice, when it comes to the issue and sale of licence plates, intends to take their council to court for a similar restriction. Which favours a private company contracted to service Manchester Airport?

Is it just me or does no one else see the irony?


How much can one expect to pay for a Manchester Council, owned, taxi licence plate, these days?


What's to stop Manchester Council, opening up the airport and removing the cap on plates? One might say, “killing two birds with one stone.”

They should reduce their fares substantially so they are more competitive instead of trying to stitch every customer up.
They should also get newer vehicles instead of old bangers.
And they should also smarten themselves up to a decent dress code.
And also learn to know the shortest route instead of going the long way.
etc
etc
etc

Is this post aimed at the Hackney trade or Arrow cars? Because the first statement sums up Arrow cars to a tee.

_________________
Grandad,

Have I gotten the above correct or have I missed something?

I am curious to know if Turkey's really do vote for Christmas?

I knew you'd be back; sooner or later, like a bad penny!!!

_________________
Kind regards,

Brummie Cabbie.

Type a message, post your news,
Disagree with other members' views;
But please, do have some decorum,
When debating on the TDO Forum.

Robust competition?

So Arrow are allowing free and open access to those who don't subscribe to their radio circuit?

ffs those guys are generous.

CC

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

The press release, which I admit to posting, does not reflect what is actually going to take place in Court. If it gets THERE.

There are five points of Law, which having been looked at by "Councel" ,appear to have been broken.

I cannot post more at the monent, but I will update when I am able.

Still looks like a lot of people who are going to waste a lot of money to a solicitor who hasnt told them about a certain case. (I'd tell you but you'd have to be an NTA member! )



CC

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

You could be right Captain. Gossip today is that the Asian lead Airport driver's association, whose spokesman is funnily called "The Captain", has said they will not be putting anything in the pot to fund this case.

As Asian driver's outnumbered all others by about 4.5 to 1. It looks like any challenge is doomed.

I will update where possible.

New Update, it would appear things are moving, the GMB rep, and new Chairman of the cab Committee, Sean Kenny, yesterday secured £2500 to start the ball rolling. £500 was donated by the retiring former rep, Pat Connor.

It would appear everybody is serious about this.

"everyone has questions, but no one wants to know, how far the anger in some one, can really make them go"

Noah and the Whale (2011)