16.30 round table 5.......Tony Mullane

And RJ

Don't we all know the self serving sh*te that the city and central scum will come out with.

Nothing about drivers. Nothing about their rights to access to the tools of their trade. And nothing about how the industry exists on discrimination, all at the expense of the SNP sanctioned serfs.

Napier needs the city and central scum, and the city and central scum depend on Napier University to prop up their vested interest.

A band of brigands having an away day.

BTW. How much will the Murray and McVay scum be ripping off their patsy members for expenses for this little jolly?

Law Commission goes to Edinburgh

capitalism is supposed to support enterprise in a free market. Ideas and effort, tied to investment are the key elements.

But what we have is a system of heavy regulation, where enterprise and choice are stifled.

None more so than the taxi trade.

Take private hire for instance. it exists primarily because the availability of taxis is restricted. So the demand not being met by the taxi trade is met by PH. PH exists because of the taxi trade not despite it.

Of course PH will claim they offer choice. But the taxi trade could offer the same choice.

PH will claim that they are cost competitive. But the taxi trade could be just as competitive.

PH will claim lots of things but nothing unique. Its sole unique selling point is that it is not the taxi trade.

We don't need PH. Customers don't need PH. Except of course for the fact that the trade wants them to exist. And is anti-competitive and restrictive to encourage them.

capitalism is supposed to support enterprise in a free market. Ideas and effort, tied to investment are the key elements.

But what we have is a system of heavy regulation, where enterprise and choice are stifled.

None more so than the taxi trade.

Take private hire for instance. it exists primarily because the availability of taxis is restricted. So the demand not being met by the taxi trade is met by PH. PH exists because of the taxi trade not despite it.

Of course PH will claim they offer choice. But the taxi trade could offer the same choice.

PH will claim that they are cost competitive. But the taxi trade could be just as competitive.

PH will claim lots of things but nothing unique. Its sole unique selling point is that it is not the taxi trade.

We don't need PH. Customers don't need PH. Except of course for the fact that the trade wants them to exist. And is anti-competitive and restrictive to encourage them.

I've no doubt that PH was flourishing at any point of dereg. That's the problem, Pandora's box has already opened.

And with the advent of technology I've no doubt people will sit in the pub and fone a cab, hack or PH.

But the problem is that PH is inherently inefficient.

Jobs called 10-15 mins before due. Customer not turning up, particular from pub or club calls. Then on the to the same next time. And all while fares are being driven down in order to compete.

I've no doubt there are PH companies who make it work. Not my experience. It's a pell mell rush to the bottom of the pond, with the serf bearing the brunt. This mentality will always hold PH back. It will always be a fringe affair.

Some in the companies who are given special treatment will survive. But the vast hinterland will always be drivers struggling to make it work, ensconced only by their desperation, cannon fodder for those making the money.

What this means is that quality will never be there. If LAs had real customer interests at heart they would recognise the failings and promote a real taxi service, based on properly funded tariffs and real vehicle and driver controls.

Tell me I'm wrong.