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Exeter taxi drivers claim they are being discriminated
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Author:  captain cab [ Thu Jan 22, 2015 12:00 am ]
Post subject:  Exeter taxi drivers claim they are being discriminated
Exeter taxi drivers claim they are being discriminated against in council’s plan to remove restrictions


TAXI drivers in Exeter fear their livelihoods could be destroyed if plans to remove restrictions on the number of hackney carriages are given the go-ahead.

Councillors will consider proposals to de-restrict the quantity of cabbies allowed to collect passengers from the city’s 10 taxi ranks and be hailed in the street.

But some drivers in Exeter insist there is not enough trade to justify an increase on the current limit of 66 licensed hackneys and predict it would lead to reduced cab quality.

The cabbies claim they would not be able to earn enough money to stay in business and have accused the council of discriminating against them.

Amir Mossadeph, chairman of the Exeter St David’s Taxi Association, said: “De-restriction would be an absolute disaster and is completely unacceptable because it would destroy whole businesses. The foreign drivers would become like chickens for the slaughterhouse. There is a sense of discrimination.”

But the council said any suggestion the policy would be prejudiced against overseas drivers was “misguided”.

It claimed that the majority of new applicants seeking to obtain a hackney carriage licence were drivers of foreign origin.

The taxi association has urged the council to maintain the quantity restrictions, and has offered to fund the commission of a customer survey into unmet demand.

It claimed a council report published last July in support of de-restriction contained ‘gross factual inaccuracies and omissions’.

But the council denied the claim, saying it had “firmly rebuffed” a number of written correspondences to that effect.

Hassan Al-Seaidy, 58, who owns two Hackney license plates in Exeter, said: “This policy will open the floodgates for people to get hackney plates.

“The whole community of taxi drivers is very worried about it. Many taxi drivers came here with nothing. They worked in chicken factories to save money to buy a license plate. Now they are worried their investment will be worthless and they will not have enough money to live. But the council is not listening to us.”

A taxi and private hire services report published by the Law Commission in May 2014 identified a number of arguments against removing quantity controls.

These included traffic congestion, noise and air pollution, reduced driver income, licensees unable to afford to maintain safety standards, and a taxi rank ‘free-for-all’.

The report concluded quantity restrictions could play a ‘positive role’ within the taxi licensing framework, and said there was a ‘lack of empirical’ evidence of the benefits of de-restriction.

It added that evidence from a consultation suggested removing restrictions would not bring ‘significant consumer benefit’.

In a letter to the city council, Exeter MP Ben Bradshaw said he had “serious concerns” about the possibility of de-restriction following his own research into the matter.

The licensing committee will consider the plans at a meeting on February 3.

They will also discuss a related bid to impose higher quality criteria on city taxis including a distinctive colour scheme, in-cab CCTV, improved wheelchair access and lower emission vehicles.

A council spokesman added: “Officers feel that higher quality criteria would prevent the increase in numbers and lowering of standards seen elsewhere when de-restriction has taken place in an unmanaged way.”


Read more: http://www.exeterexpressandecho.co.uk/E ... z3PV2uQDlM
Author:  Sussex [ Thu Jan 22, 2015 12:35 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Exeter taxi drivers claim they are being discriminated
captain cab wrote:
Amir Mossadeph, chairman of the Exeter St David’s Taxi Association, said: “De-restriction would be an absolute disaster and is completely unacceptable because it would destroy whole businesses. The foreign drivers would become like chickens for the slaughterhouse. There is a sense of discrimination.”

What a load of utter boll***s, and the fella is a prize tit for bringing such an excuse up, as actually it's the reverse of what he is saying.

At present the only way Johnny Foreigner can get a plate is to buy one, if the council de-limits then said foreigners will get one for sweet f*** all.
Author:  captain cab [ Thu Jan 22, 2015 12:37 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Exeter taxi drivers claim they are being discriminated
The fishmeister knows better than me - but half the trade in Exeter are mental - I think :lol:
Author:  Nidge2 [ Thu Jan 22, 2015 5:30 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Exeter taxi drivers claim they are being discriminated
This one's a belter

Quote:
“The whole community of taxi drivers is very worried about it. Many taxi drivers came here with nothing. They worked in chicken factories to save money to buy a license plate. Now they are worried their investment will be worthless and they will not have enough money to live. But the council is not listening to us.”


I bet the Council are listening to that bellend.
Author:  Chris the Fish [ Thu Jan 22, 2015 10:30 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Exeter taxi drivers claim they are being discriminated
captain cab wrote:
The fishmeister knows better than me - but half the trade in Exeter are mental - I think :lol:

Yes, that is the mental half.......
Author:  Nightdriver101 [ Tue Jan 27, 2015 1:18 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Exeter taxi drivers claim they are being discriminated
No idea where the English drivers are going ? if the foreigners are going to the slaughter house, but must remember this guy represents Exeter St David's taxis maybe he should have called his taxi association Exeter foreign owners taxi association!
All he is worried about is loosing £80k in plate value or maybe his driver getting a plate leaving him £400 a week worst of,hes not worried about drivers wanting to come into the trade and improving the Hackney trade by providing better vehicles and higher knowledge standard then the majority of owners out there that slipped through the net before the council reviewed and updated its knowledge test.
It wouldn't be as bad if this guy actually spent time working his taxi instead of teaching English at Exeter university and see how the taxi trade in Exeter is changing, as for Hassan who is also featured in the papers article and owns two plates it would also be nice to see him out and about actually working one of his cars instead of renting the pair out seems to me all they are worried about is loosing there drivers and there plate value RANT over !
Author:  captain cab [ Fri Jan 30, 2015 9:58 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Exeter taxi drivers claim they are being discriminated
Exeter taxi drivers threaten to take city council to court



Image
Hassan Al-Seaidy, who owns two Hackney carriage plates in Exeter

A GROUP of Exeter taxi drivers is considering legal action against the city council over plans to remove restrictions on the number of hackney carriages.

Councillors will decide on proposals to de-restrict the quantity of cabbies allowed to collect passengers from the city’s 10 taxi ranks and be hailed in the street.

Some cabbies fear their livelihoods would be destroyed if the plans are given the go-ahead at a meeting on Tuesday.

The Exeter St David’s Taxi Association will seek a judicial review in court if the licensing committee rules for an increase on the current limit of 66 licensed hackneys.

In a ‘warning’ letter to the council, Terry Falcao of Stephens Scown solicitors, said: “The instruction to me is unequivocal: to resist at all costs and to take such legal steps as are necessary to ensure that a fair and legally compliant process is followed in relation to any steps to deregulate taxis in Exeter.

“The council should think carefully before it changes a system for which there is no evidence that it is failing, that it does not pass the public benefit test, or that there is unmet demand.”

Hassan Al-Seaidy, who owns two Hackney carriage plates in Exeter, warned removing quantity restrictions would “open the floodgates” for drivers to get plates.

Drivers fear they would not be able to earn enough money to stay in business, because custom would be spread more thinly.

Nick Holladay, chairman of Exeter Taxi Association said: “By de-restricting the council can put into place new conditions making standards similar to London cabs.

“But with more vehicles on the road drivers are going to take less money. And with more vehicles available to drive the cost of rental will come down, meaning owners will get less income.”

Exeter MP Ben Bradshaw said he had “serious concerns” about the possibility of de-restriction after a Law Commission report concluded there was a ‘lack of empirical’ evidence of the benefits.

The licensing committee will also decide a related bid to impose new quality criteria for taxis, including a distinctive colour scheme, in-cab CCTV, improved wheelchair access and low-emission vehicles.

The council said the enhanced standards would improve standards and prevent any negative impact from de-restriction.

If approved, the new policies would come into effect on May 4. The council began a public consultation in July 2014 to decide whether to remove the policy of restriction in a ‘managed’ way.

A spokesman said: “A report is tabled for Licensing Committee on February 3 in respect of the outcome of this consultation. And while the strong interest of the 60 proprietors is acknowledged, there are also the interests of other stakeholders such as the 309 licensed taxi drivers, the many users of taxis and the wider public interest to take into account.

“The licensing committee will be considering these matters very carefully before making a decision on the matter.”


Read more: http://www.exeterexpressandecho.co.uk/E ... z3QLAUpYy4
Author:  captain cab [ Fri Jan 30, 2015 9:59 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Exeter taxi drivers claim they are being discriminated
Image
Author:  Nidge2 [ Fri Jan 30, 2015 10:16 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Exeter taxi drivers claim they are being discriminated
Quote:
“But with more vehicles on the road drivers are going to take less money. And with more vehicles available to drive the cost of rental will come down, meaning owners will get less income.”


Is that why they're taking the Council to court?

Image
Author:  captain cab [ Fri Jan 30, 2015 10:29 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Exeter taxi drivers claim they are being discriminated
Has there been an unmet demand survey?

If yes - what did it say?

If No - the council will have to issue licenses until it has one.

Finally - If the trade in Exeter weren't aware a demand survey was needed they need shooting, because that's like forgetting you have £60K in the living room and not locking the front door..... they should have been reminding their council about it.

Finally, finally - the taxi trade better start avoiding points that make them look like greedy b*stards - telling the public and press how much money your going to lose isn't going to do anything except breed resentment.

Image
Author:  Sussex [ Fri Jan 30, 2015 10:31 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Exeter taxi drivers claim they are being discriminated
It always tickles me when dinos in the trade moan about SUD surveys.

What the f***wits don't realise is those surveys are the only thing keeping restrictions.
Author:  grandad [ Fri Jan 30, 2015 11:29 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Exeter taxi drivers claim they are being discriminated
captain cab wrote:
Terry Falcao of Stephens Scown solicitors, said: “The instruction to me is unequivocal: to resist at all costs.

Well it looks like terry will be making a fortune and the owners will be losing one.
Author:  captain cab [ Fri Jan 30, 2015 11:39 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Exeter taxi drivers claim they are being discriminated
grandad wrote:
Well it looks like terry will be making a fortune and the owners will be losing one.


I fear you will be right -

but lets look at this

somehow two associations forgot they needed a survey to help give the council evidence that a limit should be in place - presumably they spent the past 2 years fighting each other (they did believe me)

the first reaction from one group was seemingly to call deregulation racist

the solicitor draws our attention to a 'public benefit test' - which I personally have never heard of

the council do not have to prove unmet demand in order to deregulate - but the council needs to prove no unmet demand in order to maintain regulation - someone better tell the solicitor this ffs

'opening the floodgates' isn't actually an argument

'not earning enough money' isn't an argument either

'owners will get less income' isn't an argument either

I find all this incredible to be perfectly honest.
Author:  Nightdriver101 [ Thu Feb 05, 2015 4:00 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Exeter taxi drivers claim they are being discriminated
Exeter taxi association had on many occasions asked the council for a survey report only to be told that it was going to be brought up at the next licensing meeting which as follows

Policy Tool of Restricting the Number of Taxi Licences


The Assistant Director Environment presented the report advising Members that Exeter City Council was required to decide whether it wished to:-

(1) Maintain the current policy of taxi restriction, and agree the commissioning of a survey report to:-

a. ascertain the level of any unmet demand for taxis;

b. determine whether any unmet demand is significant;

c. determine what would be an optimum quantity level to robustly meet that unmet demand over the next 3 years; and

d. quantify the public benefit and dis-benefit deriving from the operation of a policy of quantity restriction at that optimum level

Or

(2) Enter into consultation with the public, trade and other stakeholders to consider whether to remove the policy of taxi restriction in a managed way, and enhancing the quality controls for taxis to improve standards further and prevent any potential negative impact from de-restriction. Exeter‟s current policy of restriction required a survey of unmet demand, at least every three years, the last survey having been carried out in March 2010, with an interim top-up survey in March 2011, reported to this Committee in September 2011.

Since 1987, when the Council‟s limit was set at 38 taxis. Nonetheless, there had been an average growth of taxi plates of around one per year, to the current figure of 66, the growth being both from the result of successful challenges by applicants to the courts and the Committee determining exceptions to its policy of restriction.

It was the view of the Assistant Director Environment that from a systems thinking approach, there was a great deal of failure demand and wasted work associated with dealing with and hearing applications for taxi plates, their refusal, and defending challenges. The May 2014 Law Commission report on „Taxi and Private Hire Services‟, recommended that the justification for a policy of restriction should not rest on demonstrating no significant unmet demand but, instead, should rest on a test of public benefit.

Most local licensing authorities did not impose quantity restrictions and both the Department of Transport and Office of Fair Trading were critical of taxi restriction for not benefiting the travelling public. Experience elsewhere demonstrated that concerns relating to de-restriction could be adequately addressed with appropriately managed controls. Recent examples of de-restriction (e.g. Bristol, Cardiff, Cambridge and Sheffield) had seen only very small increases in the overall taxi and PHV combined fleet. Higher quality controls had acted as a proxy restriction elsewhere (e.g. London and Ipswich), but could act to visibly enhance the quality of the taxi fleet, for example, by introducing requirements for a distinctive colour scheme and livery, wheelchair accessibility, low emission vehicles and in-cab CCTV.

Another option was to adopt a policy of managed growth in taxi numbers, incrementally increasing numbers year by year, but this would still require an affirming survey to be commissioned and still open to challenge; therefore this option had been discounted.

Members were supportive of the second option of consulting on whether to remove the policy of restriction. A Member felt that the current practice was anti-competitive and stated that there were strong vested interests which were opposed to change. He felt that drivers without plates who relied on plate holders for jobs were at a disadvantage and referred to the loss of control by the Council on the granting of a licence which had, in the past, led to the sale on to another party. Other Members agreed that consultation was required for all options to be considered,

Responding to Members‟ queries, the Assistant Director advised that testing public benefit would be based on prescribed standards to be applied nationally. In addition, enhanced quality controls would be phased, to come into effect immediately for new applicants, but with an appropriate timescale to be set for existing plate holders, including the end of the life of the vehicle.

Members voted unanimously in support of the second option.

RESOLVED that consultation be entered into with the public, trade and other stakeholders with a view to considering whether to remove the policy of taxi restriction in a managed way, and enhancing the quality controls for taxis to improve standards further and prevent any potential negative impact from de-restriction and a report brought back to a later Licensing Committee for a decision.

So as you can see we are at the mercy of said council
Author:  captain cab [ Thu Feb 05, 2015 5:01 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Exeter taxi drivers claim they are being discriminated
thanks for that Nightdriver101 - I tidied it up a little :wink:
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