Pontypridd taxi drivers’ anger at Cardiff cabbies stealing trade

TAXI drivers in Pontypridd claim that they are losing custom to Cardiff-based hackney cab drivers – because they haven’t got “The Knowledge”. Licensed taxi drivers need to pass a special test called “The Knowledge” before they can operate in Cardiff while the test does not apply to cab operators in Rhondda Cynon Taff.

A spokesman for the RCT Taxi Association said: “More than 10 taxi drivers who are based in Cardiff arrive on the town’s taxi rank during the evening. “They can get a licence from RCT because they don’t need “The Knowledge” while we would need it if we wanted to operate in Cardiff.

“The Cardiff test is expensive and quite difficult and that is why they won’t take it. “It is getting out of control and there is nothing we can do about it. “Established taxi drivers in the town are trying to earn a decent living while fares are being taken by these out of town operators.

“Ponty is just a dumping ground for Cardiff taxi drivers. “We have had people who have used the Cardiff taxis telling us that they have had to give directions to the drivers and sometimes end up in the wrong destinations. “I know that RCT are in the process of bringing in an NVQ test which will prevent this from happening and the sooner that comes into force the better”.

A spokeswoman for Cardiff City Council said: “Taxi drivers in Cardiff have to undergo a test known as ‘The Knowledge’ in written and oral form. “Until they have passed that test they will not be allowed to operate. “There is nothing preventing a taxi driver from Rhondda Cynon Taff coming into Cardiff to pick up a pre booked fare but they would not be allowed to operate from a rank.”

An RCT spokesman said: “The council have a responsibility to protect the public from rogue drivers. “The Cardiff-based taxi drivers who are properly licensed are not doing anything illegal. “The council has introduced an NVQ test for new applicants to ensure they come up to the standards required by the licensing authority.”

Sounds like it's drivers who live in Cardiff who can't pass the knowledge so are working in an area which has no knowledge, it's like our Council they are handing out badges to drivers from Derby, Birmingham, Leeds and Keighley then giving them a knowledge form to take away with them, they then phone the man Asian man who is bringing them all in to ask him the questions. They don't roll the questions over they use the same ones for each new applicant.

I'm lost, excuse the pun.

How can a Cardiff licensed taxi go out of area to this rank and ply for hire? Are they using dual licensed taxis and drivers?

If its legal, I might do the same and work north herts when it suits?

Well organised these sheep shaggers then sit by and watch their work being nicked, really you couldnt make it up this plot is too stupid even for EMMERDALE

What do you suggest they do?

YOU FIRST SUSSEX

Come on SUS surely you can assist with advice for these unfortunates ???????????????????

Sorry I didn't reply sooner, but some of us have to work for a living.

What they should be doing is lobbying their council to increase the standard of entry criteria. But I bet they don't.

What "THEY" should be doing, careful there mush your intimating ~"THEY" should be organised in some way perhaps you could elucidate upon that aspect of your advice.

Appreciate you are hard at work at wheel of your PH or is it hack cant remember