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| GMB Complain about Westminster Council http://www.taxi-driver.co.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=18321 |
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| Author: | captain cab [ Mon Jan 16, 2012 9:04 am ] |
| Post subject: | GMB Complain about Westminster Council |
GMB Complain That Westminster Council Is Deterring Private Hire Cabs From Accepting Work In The West End As drivers earn £60 a day a parking fine incurred while waiting to pick up a customer leads to the loss of a full day’s pay which members cannot risk so West End abandoned to the illegal touts says GMB GMB is complaining that Westminster City Council’s increased parking restrictions is deterring licensed private hire drivers from accepting jobs in the West End as they risk losing their living if fined while waiting for customers. Terry Flanagan of the GMB Professional Drivers Branch said, “Westminster Council’s parking restrictions is deterring licensed cab drivers from operating in the West End. This in turn is exacerbating an already dangerous problem as even more unlicensed touts operate picking up unsuspecting passengers from clubs, pubs, theatres and music venues that are the lifeblood of the West End’s economy. Legitimate cab drivers are licensed. They have had criminal record checks, medical and topographical tests. Their cars have been properly checked and they are properly insured for passenger transport". These drivers struggle to make £120 a day. Half of that will go on rent to the proprietor, petrol, passenger carrying insurance, maintenance and other overhead costs. That leaves the driver earning £60 net for the day. So if a parking fine is incurred while waiting to pick up a customer the day’s pay is gone. As the drivers have to pull up to pick up customers there is no alternative but to abandon the West End to the touts. Many drivers will simply not risk a Westminster pick up. This means more and more unsuspecting, and at times very vulnerable passengers accepting lifts from touts posing as legitimate drivers." What this means is that unlicensed drivers in uninsured and in many instances unroadworthy cars, who have not been criminal record checks could have other motives other than ripping the travelling public off. GMB believes that the attacks on lone women passengers that have taken place over the years could increase as a result of the outrageous decision of Westminster council to extend it's night time and weekend parking restrictions. GMB members have the support of Westminster Councillor Dimoldenberg and GMB backs the Labour opposition’s calls for the Leader of the Council to resign.” Ken Livingstone, London Mayor candidate said, 'I believe Westminster council’s plan to massively increase the number of double yellow lines and introduce huge parking charge increases will make it harder for licensed mini-cabs to operate in the West End. Where the legitimate cab trade cannot work we know that illegal touts will prosper, putting Londoners at risk. 'Westminster council’s parking policy seems designed to fill council’s coffers rather than catering for the needs of businesses and residents. It's time for the council to drop its plans which are going to make it harder for people to get home safely and threaten real damage to the private hire and black cab trades." http://www.egovmonitor.com/node/45404 |
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