Taxi Driver Online

Noticed a different version of this a few weeks ago, but didn't bother posting it. But headline here caught my eye, and as I knew it was about amalgamating Wiltshire's zones, the comments from the owner/proprietor/operator could kind of be predicted. And he doesn't disappoint

His point about centralising the vehicle testing function is fair enough, but the rest of it is largely bovine excrement


All The Sevens owner responds to Wiltshire Council's proposal

https://www.salisburyjournal.co.uk/news ... -proposal/

A SALISBURY taxi company owner is “very much against” Wiltshire Council’s proposed licensing changes.

On May 6 Wiltshire Council began seeking feedback on proposed changes to hackney carriage licensing zones.

Part of the change would allow taxi drivers to accept fares from any part of the authority area, yet a longstanding taxi company owner thinks “it won’t be beneficial to drivers” to work cross borders.

Gary Taylor, owner of All The Sevens, is concerned about how much knowledge of the county his drivers will be expected to know and the potential impact it could have on customers.

He said: “In my 17 years of taxi driving I’ve never known anyone want to go cross border, drivers work in an area they know and understand.

“It could cause customers to be overcharged as drivers wouldn’t know their way around the area.”

Wiltshire Council require two annual inspections for hackney carriages which are currently carried out in either Salisbury, Devizes, Trowbridge, or Chippenham.

Part of the proposal will centralise all vehicle inspections in Devizes which is a big concern for Gary and his drivers.

He said: “Everyone, like us, in the south would have to use three hours of their working day to take a 50-mile round trip, costing £10-15 in fuel, to do an inspection which is being done weekly in Salisbury.”

Wiltshire Council say the proposals would be environmentally beneficial and reduce carbon emissions as there would be fewer passenger-less journeys.

Taking into account the biannual trip to Devizes, Gary is sceptical that the changes will be more eco-friendly.

He added: “Wiltshire Council need to track taxis to see if it actually would be environmentally beneficial.”

Cllr Mark McClelland, cabinet member for transport, said: “We are really pleased that taxi operators are engaging with this consultation and will be carefully considering all the responses and views expressed.”

All taxi drivers and anyone with an interest in the industry can take part in Wiltshire Council’s consultation and express their views before the closing date of 10 July by visiting the website.

What's the point of sneaking in the word 'weekly' other than to confuse the issue? It's a twice-yearly test. Not ideal having to travel 25 miles, obviously, but no need to make it sound a lot worse than it is.



Ain't gonna happen, but what would be the point anyway? If it's before the change then it tells us nothing, after the changes and it's too late.

Another aspect that the article brushes over is that it's all really about where HCs can rank up, and wouldn't affect PH licensing.

His drivers, I just love that.

_________________
IDFIMH

What's the problem then?

If the drivers are akin to 'homing pigeons there is no issue.

_________________
IDFIMH

That extra 100 miles a year isn't going to raise sea level by too far methinks.

But that's assuming all 'his' drivers live locally. Some of them may live in Devizes and are killing the planet every time they go to work.

_________________
IDFIMH

These Eco/green arguments really do annoy me

whilst we do all individually contribute a little to green house gases nobody ever takes into account the billions of tons annually pumped out by volcanoes or Chinese, Indian and USA coal fired power stations. It is always argued that we who contribute less than 1 % of green house gases can change the situation unilaterally

If our government was really serious about reducing CO2 they would give grants to power stations to set up seaweed ponds to soak up the CO2 produced after all one hectare of seaweed pond can produce as much cattle feed as 50 hectares of farmland and you never know that might even help food prices

_________________
lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector

It's just typical of certain people who spout what they think people want to hear, rather than what they actually believe.

_________________
IDFIMH