Taxi Driver Online

Doncaster Taxi drivers say, thanks for letting us in but now it's time to close the town.

I hope Doncaster council turn around and tell these owners, that they will close the town but only on the proviso that all those owners who got free plates since the council removed restrictions, handed back their licenses.

Then we'll see how many want to close the town?

Something like the Sheffield scenario, give us a plate and then close the town and stupid councillors fell for it.
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Doncaster Free Press

January 28, 2008

Cabbies plan on 'drive-thru' licence protest

SCORES of angry taxi drivers are planning to drive through Doncaster town centre in protest at the number of licences granted in the borough.

The town's newly-formed Hackney Carriage Drivers Union claims Doncaster Council has granted too many licences for the amount of work available.

The group also says there is not enough rank space for black cabs to wait at on the streets.

Hackney Carriages or black cabs are allowed to wait at ranks or stop in the streets to pick up fares.

The union claims there are 210 black cabs operating in the borough. However, there are only 26 spaces available at taxi ranks in East Laith Gate and St Sepulchre Gate.

Jarnel Singh, spokesman for the Hackney Carriage Drivers Union, said the council should only issue about 150 black cab licences.

He said: "There are just too many Hackney carriages at the moment and

it is becoming a problem.

"There seems to be less and less work going round because there are more and more taxis going in.

"The drivers are up in arms about this, and there is simply not enough room.

"We've now set up the Doncaster Hackney Carriage Drivers Unions and we want to have a rolling rally with all the drivers driving through the town centre.

"We've met people from the council about the problem, but people are disheartened and we want more support and recognition for the valuable service we provide."

Jane Miller, Doncaster Council's director of neighbourhoods, said the authority was looking at the possibility of increasing the number of cab ranks in the borough to improve their accessibility.

She said: "In common with the majority of local authorities, Doncaster has removed the limits on the number of Hackney carriages that can operate in the borough.

"Allowing more black cabs enables local people to get home quickly,

safely and conveniently after an evening out and is another transport choice for Doncaster's residents.

"As with any service industry, some periods are busier than others."
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Perhaps Mr Singh should hand his plate in as a gesture.

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IDFIMH

Once you reach an overcrowding situation it is almost impossible to do anything about it except work longer hours to make up the differance

In my experience councils pay little attention to protestd by cabbies because they are an insignificant group in terms of their influence at the polls

What I could never understand is why people enter a trade that is already saturated and then complain to the council that they can't earn a living, as though the fault lay with the council? Who would they blame if councillors didn't have control of licensing?

I think the fact is, that it's too easy to become a cabby because in most cases all you need is a driving license, a vehicle and nothing else.

Regards

JD

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Copyright notice © The contents of this post are copyright of JD and are not to be reproduced outside of TDO without written permission.

Agreed.
Decent knowledge tests and decent vehicle standards are what is needed.

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http://wingsoverscotland.com/ http://www.newsnetscotland.com/

Try our standards

http://www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/downloa ... opack2.pdf

Regards
BB

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Mick Hildreth (07814 032002)
GMB PDB P39 Southern Region Branch Secretary
mick.hildreth@gmbtaxis.org.uk
www.gmbpdb.org.uk

Not the best example, surely, since quality control was being posited as an alternative to numerical controls on vehicles.

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Taxi Driver Online
www.taxi-driver.co.uk

I would say that our City has a very high standard for driver entry.

Regards
BB

_________________
Mick Hildreth (07814 032002)
GMB PDB P39 Southern Region Branch Secretary
mick.hildreth@gmbtaxis.org.uk
www.gmbpdb.org.uk

The temptation to reply . . . .

(My little joke Mr BB)