Taxi Driver Online

Southampton taxi chiefs hit out at £15K transport review



Taxi trade leaders have called a survey that could flood Southampton with more cabs “flawed”.

Trade representatives have spoken out as consultants prepare to release the findings of a review into the number of hail and ride cabs in the city. They fear more taxis will make it even harder for struggling cabbies to make ends meet.

Transport consultants Halcrow have been paid £15,000 to recommend whether or not a limit of 282 Hackney Carriages in the city should be raised.

Three years ago the council agreed to issue 19 more lucrative taxi licences – worth up to £35,000 on the open market – in a controversial secret lottery exposed by the Daily Echo.

But trade bodies said the findings of the latest survey will be skewed because it was carried out before the last eight new plates were issued in December.

Perry McMillan, from the taxi section of the Unite union asked: “Why commission a survey out on the streets throughout November, if you’re not going to take account of the impact of eight more plates going on in December?” he said.

“If they had held off until April or May at least it would have been a true reflection of things. The whole survey is flawed,” he said.

Ian Hall, chairman of the Hackney Carriage Association, said: “As far as we’re concerned the survey wasn’t done correctly. We will challenge the findings.

“We don’t need any more cars with drivers struggling in the worst recession we’ve had since the 1930s. We need more taxi ranks.”

But Clive Johnson, chairman of the Southampton Trade Association, which has around 450 members including 100 Hackney Carriage drivers, said: “I don't believe we should be jumping up and down before we get the result in.

"The way the economy is I can't believe there is a shortage of taxis. There is a shortage of customers. I'm confident the findings will show there is no unmet demand for taxis.”

Under Government guidelines Southampton City Council must show that retaining a limit on the number of taxis in the city benefits customers.

The number of licensed private hire vehicles – more than 550 - is not limited.

Council leader Royston Smith said: “These independent reports need to be undertaken every three years by councils which have limited taxi plates to see whether those limits are still the right number. Any criticism of this report is bizarre as we have not even seen the findings yet.

“Of course this report will take into account all of the relevant factors including the current increase in plates since the last review.”

The findings of the Halcrow review will be put before councillors later this year to decide whether to issue more licences.

http://www.andoveradvertiser.co.uk/busi ... __flawed_/

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

As thick as pig's sh**.

If the SUD survey is challenged, and it is deemed unlawful, then the council has no legal defence if anyone wishes to apply for 100/200/300 plates.


Thank f*** someone has a brain down there.

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IDFIMH

Why do we need the law commission.....these people are doing the work for them ffs



CC

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

Seriously, anyone who believes we need more taxis in the current climate is obviously not a driver of one..

I dont disagree.....but by law a council has to justify their policy if challenged.

If what these people seemingly want is no survey.....then fine....but they should be aware of the consequences.

CC

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

That does depend on which city, town, village or hamlet you are licensed in.

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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.

That does depend on which city, town, village or hamlet you are licensed in.

Sorry but dont know many places that are having it that good?

Irrespective tbh.....if the council cannot satisfy itself of demand it must issue licenses......thus the majority of the people spoken to in Southampton aint got a scooby.

CC

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

But take here for instance, the council dont want more taxis,a survey would definately show no need,so i suspect the same for the vast majority of areas.

so push for the removal of section 16.....like unite.....then your council will not have to do a survey, and anyone wanting a plate can have one.....but bearing in mind how dead you say it is......that wont be a lot of people.

Strange thing taxis......I dont see many people in regulated areas handing plates back.

CC

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

Why would i push for the removal of section 16 ? Of what purpose would that be to the taxi trade here ? I understand your sarcasm but the reality is slightly different.The trade as a whole is suffering from lack of passengers which doesnt take a union to see that.The old boring argument of "plate values" becomes tedious but the end argument is the same" we dont need more taxis"I Whats the big difference really of being forced to buy a 30 grand plus wav or a 30 grand plate?

Strange thing taxis......I dont see many people in regulated areas handing plates back.

No you see them selling them on

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

Don’t rock the boat’ warns boss of taxi association


THE chairman of a taxi body in Southampton has criticised fellow trade leaders for “rocking the boat” over a review into the number of cabs in the city.

Transport consultants Halcrow have been paid £15,000 to recommend whether or not a limit of 282 Hackney Carriages in the city should be raised.

Taxi union chiefs and the Southampton Hackney Trade Association warned a street survey was “flawed” as it was carried out before eight new plates were issued in December.

But Clive Johnson, chairman of the Southampton Trade Association, which has around 450 members including 100 Hackney Carriage drivers, said: “I don’t believe we should be jumping up and down before we get the result in. The way the economy is I can’t believe there is a shortage of taxis. There is a shortage of customers. I’m confident the findings will show there is no|un-met demand for taxis.”

The council will consider the findings later this year.


http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/9523453 ... sociation/

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