Taxi Driver Online

Barnsley are deciding on whether or not to have a survey in April of next year to retain their current policy of restriction, one other option proposed as per usual was of course deregulation of numbers. Whether or not Barnsley will take into account the DfT guidance and remove numbers control is anyone's guess but at this moment in time it is only one of three options. Licensing informed me that they will probably have a survey but one never knows?
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The Star (Sheffield)

November 8, 2006

HEADLINE: Taxi drivers' plea on 'free for all' plan

PRIVATE hire drivers are urging their colleagues to lobby Barnsley Council chiefs about taxi deregulation to ensure they reap the benefit of a "free for all" on picking up passengers.

Town hall bosses are set to consider new rules allowing the public to flag down taxis or private hire vehicles in a licensing review early next year.

The radical move would mean customers would no longer have to book a lift in a private hire car and could spell the end of the weekly radio fee of up to £160 private hire drivers pay to the firm they work for.

It would also make coveted taxi plates worthless. At present these can change hands for £50,000.

But one private hire driver, who does not wish to be named for fear of losing his job, believes they, and the public, would benefit from a "free for all".

He said: "The Hackney Carriage Association doesn't want deregulation because it means their plates would have no value.The private hire bosses don't want it because they'll lose too much money, but what about us and what about the people?
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My long lost twin.

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IDFIMH