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| Row over taxi licensing in Aldershot and Farnborough http://www.taxi-driver.co.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=18969 |
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| Author: | captain cab [ Tue Apr 10, 2012 11:59 am ] |
| Post subject: | Row over taxi licensing in Aldershot and Farnborough |
Row over taxi licensing in Aldershot and Farnborough It is an issue of safety… That from taxi drivers in Aldershot and Farnborough. They’re concerned about proposed changes to the way taxi licensing works in Rushmoor. Currently taxis can only be licensed if they are either brand new or have always been licensed in the borough. Shaun Orriss from A-line taxis tells Eagle why he is concerned about the proposed changes: “The council has a record of everything that has ever happened to that vehicle. “If has been involved in an accident, they get to find out about it straight away. “Now someone could bring in a 20-year-old vehicle that could have been written off. “It could be patched up, made to look good, given a service history and on you go.” Rushmoor council says it is still consulting on the idea which was proposed to address inconsistencies in the system. “Our current policy only allows brand new vehicles or vehicles continually licensed by the Council since new to be licensed as taxis in Rushmoor. “For example a 15-year-old vehicle from within Rushmoor can be licensed, but not a one-year-old vehicle originally licensed by Surrey Heath Council.” source: http://www.964eagle.co.uk/ |
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| Author: | edders23 [ Tue Apr 10, 2012 5:32 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Row over taxi licensing in Aldershot and Farnborough |
I take it this is for Hackney if it is then that is certainly one way to keep numbers down |
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| Author: | captain cab [ Fri Apr 13, 2012 4:54 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Row over taxi licensing in Aldershot and Farnborough |
Protest staged against 'crazy' second-hand taxis PRESSURE is mounting against 'crazy' proposals to introduce second-hand taxis in Farnborough and Aldershot. Taxi drivers flooded to the Rushmoor Borough Council offices in Farnborough on Tuesday (April 10) to hand over petitions, letters and questionnaires, all of which object the new policy, to the council's licensing team. Rushmoor Borough Council released a new taxi licensing policy draft in February, listing proposed changes to the policy now in place for Farnborough and Aldershot. The possible changes include the introduction of second-hand cars to be used as taxis, to replace the current policy of only using new vehicles. More than 70 taxi drivers travelled both towns to confront the council over the issue, using bus lanes to ensure the protest did not cause traffic chaos for other road users. The drivers then presented Rushmoor Borough Council's licensing team with petitions containing thousands of signatures, as well as more than 100 letters, mostly written by members of the public. Shaun Orriss, manager of A-Line Taxis, said: “The council has proposed bringing in any car of any age. It is the most ridiculous idea I have ever heard. It is crazy – I cannot get my head around it. “It is certainly going to compromise standards, and we believe the public safety. It is a big worry.” Mr Orriss, who is also a member of the Taxi Trade Board, said the drivers had wanted to carry out the protest peacefully. He said: “I hope we have made an impact. We did it very peacefully, we were very careful not to make it a big militant meeting. “We drove in the bus lane, which we are allowed to do, so we did not cause any congestion. It was just us making a point, because we have got a valid point, and I hope they listen to us." Mr Oriss said taxi drivers pay around £30,000 for a new taxi, but said he felt they do so willingly to maintain high standards. He added that it was not just taxi drivers who were concerned, but also members of the public. He said: “We want the council to know it is not just us making a fuss here. It is the travelling public saying 'we do not want this'. “Not one person has said they want this. The trade do not want it, and the customers do not want it.” Rushmoor Borough Council has said the information and documents presented by the taxi drivers will be looked at as part of the wider consultation on the policy. But John McNab, licensing manager for the council, remains adamant that no standards or safety will be compromised. He said an increased number of vehicle maintenance checks will ensure the second-hand taxis are up to scratch. He said: “It is a matter of striking the right balance. The issue is not about brand new vehicles, it is about how well the vehicles are being maintained. It is about ensuring that standard. “The taxi trade feel that moving to a second-hand vehicle policy will allow vehicles to be or a lesser quality. I am not sure that is the case.” Mr McNab also said if the plans were to go ahead, increased competition within the trade might bring taxi prices down for the public. The plans to change the taxi policy are in the proposal stage and a decision is expected to be made by Rushmoor Borough Council in June or July. source: http://www.gethampshire.co.uk/news/s/21 ... and_taxis_ |
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| Author: | captain cab [ Fri Apr 13, 2012 8:34 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Row over taxi licensing in Aldershot and Farnborough |
http://www.rushmoor.gov.uk/article/4486 ... nsultation More to this than meets the eye I think. CC |
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| Author: | captain cab [ Fri Apr 13, 2012 8:38 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Row over taxi licensing in Aldershot and Farnborough |
In light of our plans to withdraw the second-hand vehicle policy as detailed on page eight, we will also require applicants to submit all relevant documents detailing a full and independent service history of their vehicle for up to three years, or from new where the vehicle is less than three years old, immediately preceding any application for any vehicle that is not brand new. |
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| Author: | captain cab [ Fri Apr 13, 2012 8:57 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Row over taxi licensing in Aldershot and Farnborough |
LICENSING & GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE AGENDA ITEM NO.3 26 SEPTEMBER 2011 4.0 TAXI LICENSING POLICY 4.1 In part response to the findings of the review, a draft taxi licensing policy has also been developed. The purpose of the document is to set out the policies and arrangements the Council will apply and consider in exercise of its functions, particularly when making decisions on relevant licence applications. 4.2 In accordance with relevant case law in this field, it is appropriate that policy changes are subject to public consultation; particularly with those who may be affected. It is proposed that the draft policy will therefore be subject to a 12 week period of public consultation between October and December 2011. It is anticipated that the draft policy will subsequently be put before Cabinet for approval early 2012 (Jan / Feb). Members are asked to comment on the policy document when published. The Committee discussed the Report and the presentation and, in particular, discussed issues around the need for robust consultation with the taxi trade and the costs associated with carrying out a review. RESOLVED: That (i) the systems thinking review work undertaken to date be noted; (ii) the new processes arising from the approach be endorsed; and (iii) once published, the taxi licensing policy be considered and comments put forward, prior to its consideration by the Cabinet. I cant find this thing on Rushmoors Cabinet meetings. CC |
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| Author: | captain cab [ Fri Apr 13, 2012 9:29 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Row over taxi licensing in Aldershot and Farnborough |
I cant find the consultation results anywhere on their website, and the taxi trade board....nobody from the cab trade turned up for the september meeting in 2011. The mystery deepens |
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