Taxi Driver Online

Bournemouth Taxi association boss John Tye steps down in protest at rogue drivers




BOURNEMOUTH'S taxi trade has been blasted for "ripping-off" customers, "flouting traffic regulations" and creating an aggressive "dog eat dog" atmosphere.

Chair of Bournemouth Taxi Trades Association John Tye launched a stinging attack on both the private hire and Hackney carriage trades as he publicly resigned from his position.

He has represented the trade for almost two decades, but told councillors: "I cannot continue to represent a trade of which I am ashamed."

He told members of the licensing committee there were numerous problems in Bournemouth and very little enforcement.
He claimed:
•A reduction in rank work and aggressive marketing by private hire operators had created a "dog eat dog" situation.
•Hackney carriage drivers were viewed by customers as "rip off merchants" with aggressive and bad attitudes.
•There was a "blatant disregard" of the law, traffic regulations and council controls, especially at Horseshoe Common.

He also criticised the recent takeover of Star Radio Cars by United Taxis. He said it had reduced the travelling public's choice of provider by 25 per cent. He also claimed it was clear United intended to continue to grow and dominate the market, which would make things worse.

Mr Tye said: "The working rules and etiquette once operated by the taxi trade are now completely redundant. The reduction of rank work due to the economies being made under the constraints of the last few years and increasingly aggressive marketing by the private hire operators have created a dog eat dog situation.

"The blatant disregard of the law, traffic regulation and council controls is totally unacceptable.

"I have undergone a period of introspection and, much to my surprise, discover that I still have standards and principles which are at odds with the way I see the trade now and dread to envisage its future.

"I cannot continue to represent a trade of which I am ashamed."

After the meeting, he told the Echo standards had "plummeted to zero" and he was most concerned that customers were being "ripped-off."

Cllr Andrew Morgan, chair of the licensing committee, said Mr Tye had been a "very powerful advocate" for the private hire and Hackney Carriage trade.

"There's obviously quite a lot of concern with some of the points you're raising," he said. "Illegal ranking at Horseshoe Common is something we are determined to stop.

"This board is certainly keen and ready to have taxi drivers sitting in front of us who are flouting the regulations at Horseshoe Common."

Derek Heritage, marketing director at United Taxis, said their takeover of Star had not caused any extra problems. He said: "United Taxis took over Star because the owners wanted to retire. All drivers were offered a place with United.

"Competition between drivers can only be good for customer service at the end of the day, I don't understand how the takeover has led to aggression between drivers.

"The only way it has become more competitive is because we are now in a position to answer more calls more effectively in the Boscombe and Christchurch areas."

source: http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/13370378.display/

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

I don't think the issues the fella mentioned are confined to Bournemouth.

I suspect what he sees every day, is much the same as many of us do.

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IDFIMH

Indeed I have lost count of the times when asking for the fare the customer asks for example "how come it's only £6.00 today when the driver yesterday charged me £10.00 for the same run".
Even if customers report them to the office the owner does next to nothing as they don't want to get rid of a driver as they don't want to lose there rent.