Taxi Driver Online
http://www.taxi-driver.co.uk/phpBB2/

The miracle of Xmas?
http://www.taxi-driver.co.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=20844		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  captain cab [ Wed Dec 05, 2012 12:13 am ]
Post subject:  The miracle of Xmas?
TDO readers will be aware of the following article;

http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/communit ... -32024706/


Blueline Taxis forced to lose 90 jobs in Newcastle

A TAXI company claims a row over its telephone number has forced them to scrap expansion plans.

Blueline minicabs has been operating from its office in Wallsend since 1958 and is licensed by North Tyneside Council.

But owners, Ian and Paul Shanks and Jane Bell, have been locked in a row with Newcastle Council since setting up Blueline Taxis (Newcastle) Ltd in 2010 and opening in Walker.

The row focuses on Blueline’s desire to use its 0191 262 6666 telephone number at both the Wallsend and Newcastle offices.

In January last year, council chiefs revoked Blueline Newcastle’s operators licence, claiming it failed to abide by the condition the Newcastle office had to have a separate telephone number from Wallsend.

Now Ian Shanks said he is handing back his operator’s licence and claimed the dispute had forced them to close down their Newcastle office with the loss of 90 jobs.

Mr Shanks said: “I am absolutely devastated that due to council red tape I have had to shut down the expanding arm of a flourishing business and worst of all tell 90 people they no longer have a job. It is absolute madness and unnecessary.”

In January, a district judge overturned the council’s decision to revoke their licence and allowed the company to continue trading.

But Blueline Newcastle was banned from using the 6666 number and that triggered an appeal to the High Court.

The company argued the city council’s insistence the two offices use separate phone numbers was undermining its business and amounted to an “improper interference with its commercial freedom and its ability to expand taking its brand with it”.

But Mr Justice Hickinbottom dismissed that and Blueline Newcastle was prohibited from taking bookings on the 6666 number.

Stephen Savage, Newcastle’s director of regulatory services and public protection, said: “We’re delighted to have had our judgement upheld in the High Court that taxi firms set up in Newcastle and North Tyneside should have different phone numbers.

“Blueline Taxis continues to be licensed as a private hire operator by Newcastle City Council and we have not revoked their licence or closed their office. If the company wishes to continue to operate under the licence it may do so.

“It is simply untrue to say that the council is putting Blueline drivers out of work and if this is the information that has been given to Blueline staff then we are very disappointed by that. Drivers are self-employed and therefore eligible to work for any Newcastle licensed Private Hire Operator in the city.”

Sufficed to say things looked bleak for Blueline, but those plucky chaps seem to have turned it around from the brink with the following report;

Taxi firm needs more drivers

Published on Tuesday 4 December 2012 13:00

ONE of the region’s largest taxi firms is on the lookout for drivers.

Blue Line Taxis hopes to employ an additional 100 drivers to respond to the estimated 90,000 calls it takes each week, with the possibility of more if the workload continues to increase.

The Wallsend-based business has already recruited 42 taxi drivers from its Newcastle division, which closed last month after a row over using one central telephone number, and is in the process of transferring more to North Tyneside licensed plates.

But the 54-year-old private hire business says it needs at least 50 additional drivers as it looks to expand its base in Wallsend.

For more information on becoming a driver, call the firm on 209 8010 or e-mail info@bluelinetaxis.com

Who says miracles don't happen near xmas?
Author:  toots [ Wed Dec 05, 2012 12:55 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: The miracle of Xmas?
You see anything can happen at Christmas it's a wonderful time for miracles, how amazing :roll: :lol:
Author:  Nidge2 [ Wed Dec 05, 2012 1:15 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: The miracle of Xmas?
He's been owned well and truly. I wonder how long it takes for him to go into hiding?
Page 1 of 1 All times are UTC [ DST ]
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group
http://www.phpbb.com/