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| Newcastle taxi drivers return for second mass protest http://www.taxi-driver.co.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=8204 |
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| Author: | captain cab [ Wed Mar 12, 2008 5:32 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Newcastle taxi drivers return for second mass protest |
Newcastle taxi drivers return for second mass protest NEWCASTLE taxi drivers descended on Berwick Borough Council's offices for a mass protest this afternoon. The 25-strong group, all members of the Newcastle Hackney Carriage Association, had a heated face to face discussion with the council's licensing officer David Wilson. The taxi drivers claim their livelihoods are being threatened by a flood of Berwick-registered drivers plying their trade in the city. The number of hackney carriage licenses issued by Berwick Borough Council has increased from 46 to nearly 500 in less than two years. It was their second visit this month and they have promised to return in greater numbers, bringing disruption to the town centre, if their protests are ignored. Berwick Borough Council, which is being taken to the High Court by Newcastle City Council over its policy, maintains it is doing nothing illegal by issuing reduced price licences. |
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| Author: | JD [ Wed Mar 12, 2008 6:13 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Newcastle taxi drivers return for second mass protest |
captain cab wrote: Newcastle taxi drivers return for second mass protest
What do Newcastle drivers want Berwick to do? Regards JD |
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| Author: | Sussex [ Wed Mar 12, 2008 6:32 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Newcastle taxi drivers return for second mass protest |
JD wrote: captain cab wrote: Newcastle taxi drivers return for second mass protest What do Newcastle drivers want Berwick to do? Well it appears they want Berwick to stop licensing taxis, or put a condition on those licenses saying they can't work outside of the district. I wonder if anyone believes that's within their legal powers. 
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| Author: | gusmac [ Wed Mar 12, 2008 6:37 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Newcastle taxi drivers return for second mass protest |
Sussex wrote: JD wrote: captain cab wrote: Newcastle taxi drivers return for second mass protest What do Newcastle drivers want Berwick to do? Well it appears they want Berwick to stop licensing taxis, or put a condition on those licenses saying they can't work outside of the district. I wonder if anyone believes that's within their legal powers. |
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| Author: | captain cab [ Wed Mar 12, 2008 6:57 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Newcastle taxi drivers return for second mass protest |
gusmac wrote: Sussex wrote: JD wrote: captain cab wrote: Newcastle taxi drivers return for second mass protest What do Newcastle drivers want Berwick to do? Well it appears they want Berwick to stop licensing taxis, or put a condition on those licenses saying they can't work outside of the district. I wonder if anyone believes that's within their legal powers. Breathing? 
CC |
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| Author: | gusmac [ Wed Mar 12, 2008 7:18 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Newcastle taxi drivers return for second mass protest |
captain cab wrote: gusmac wrote: Sussex wrote: JD wrote: captain cab wrote: Newcastle taxi drivers return for second mass protest What do Newcastle drivers want Berwick to do? Well it appears they want Berwick to stop licensing taxis, or put a condition on those licenses saying they can't work outside of the district. I wonder if anyone believes that's within their legal powers. Breathing? CC They could try a local knowledge test for drivers and decent vehicle standards. 
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| Author: | JD [ Wed Mar 12, 2008 7:27 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Newcastle taxi drivers return for second mass protest |
Sussex wrote: JD wrote: captain cab wrote: Newcastle taxi drivers return for second mass protest What do Newcastle drivers want Berwick to do? Well it appears they want Berwick to stop licensing taxis, or put a condition on those licenses saying they can't work outside of the district. I wonder if anyone believes that's within their legal powers. If Berwick capped licenses to their present number would it cure the current situation in Newcastle? Regards JD |
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| Author: | captain cab [ Wed Mar 12, 2008 7:31 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Newcastle taxi drivers return for second mass protest |
JD wrote: Sussex wrote: JD wrote: captain cab wrote: Newcastle taxi drivers return for second mass protest What do Newcastle drivers want Berwick to do? Well it appears they want Berwick to stop licensing taxis, or put a condition on those licenses saying they can't work outside of the district. I wonder if anyone believes that's within their legal powers. If Berwick capped licenses to their present number would it cure the current situation in Newcastle? Regards JD If Newcastle CC done what the BBC managed to do and prosecuted the drivers concerned that might have more effect 
CC |
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| Author: | GBC [ Wed Mar 12, 2008 7:36 pm ] |
| Post subject: | |
So when these local Berwick Licensed taxi's are running around Newcastle as PH vehicles . . . Do they carry roof signs with the word TAXI on them? . . . and in turn does that then allow the operator of the firm running them to call themselves a TAXI firm opposed to a PH firm?
Can the law be any more of an ass? |
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| Author: | skippy41 [ Wed Mar 12, 2008 7:42 pm ] |
| Post subject: | |
I dont know why they are moaning FFS its mainly Geordie's who are getting the licences due to idiotic conditions and prices imposed by Newcastle council the more the merrier I say
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| Author: | JD [ Wed Mar 12, 2008 7:45 pm ] |
| Post subject: | |
GBC wrote: So when these local Berwick Licensed taxi's are running around Newcastle as PH vehicles . . . Do they carry roof signs with the word TAXI on them? Yes. Quote: :? . . . and in turn does that then allow the operator of the firm running them to call themselves a TAXI firm opposed to a PH firm?
No Regards JD |
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| Author: | chris007 [ Wed Mar 12, 2008 8:25 pm ] |
| Post subject: | |
GBC wrote: So when these local Berwick Licensed taxi's are running around Newcastle as PH vehicles . . .
Do they carry roof signs with the word TAXI on them? . . . and in turn does that then allow the operator of the firm running them to call themselves a TAXI firm opposed to a PH firm?Can the law be any more of an ass? I was one of the drivers that decided "enough was enough" and wanted answers from Berwick Council - today was positive as it has already been on BBC Look North and is expected to be in The Evening Chronicle tomorrow. There are numerous Private Hire firms operating with Berwick plated vehicles in Newcastle and most of them have a yellow "taxi" sign NOT Private Hire advertised. Again, most of them have their plate blu-tacked to their rear windows - making it very difficult for anyone to see it. Many don't even advertise the Private Hire company they are working from. (I wonder why). I followed a Berwick Plated vehicle on Saturday night over the Tyne Bridge and headed for the first available rank - he tried to pick up right in front of me from the front of the queue. (I was out my taxi and telling him to move on). That is how bad it is and that is happening ALL the time. We were told today that Newcastle Council CAN prosecute as well as Berwick. Complaints can be made to both councils. We were also told if ANY Berwick Plated vehicle has a For Hire sign illuminated he is "plying for hire" and therefore can be prosecuted. We have been told to carry a camera and photograph any Berwick Plated vehicle that has an illuminated signage. Action will be taken if proof is shown. He does NOT need to pick up to be prosecuted! HE only needs an illuminated for hire sign to be prosecuted !! Very interesting. Berwick Council are going to carry out investigations and visit Newcastle on a regular basis and find out for themselves how bad it is. Chris |
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| Author: | captain cab [ Wed Mar 12, 2008 8:33 pm ] |
| Post subject: | |
Quote: We were told today that Newcastle Council CAN prosecute as well as Berwick
Who told you they couldnt? CC |
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| Author: | JD [ Wed Mar 12, 2008 9:48 pm ] |
| Post subject: | |
chris007 wrote: I followed a Berwick Plated vehicle on Saturday night over the Tyne Bridge and headed for the first available rank - he tried to pick up right in front of me from the front of the queue. (I was out my taxi and telling him to move on). That is how bad it is and that is happening ALL the time. I'm afraid Newcastle is not exceptional when it comes to blatant illegal plying for hire. It is the same all over the country. Quote: We were told today that Newcastle Council CAN prosecute as well as Berwick. What do you mean you were told today? Are you saying that the Newcastle taxi trade and Newcastle licensing enforcement weren't aware that they could prosecute any vehicle found breaking the law in respect of illegally plying for hire? Quote: We were also told if ANY Berwick Plated vehicle has a For Hire sign illuminated he is "plying for hire" and therefore can be prosecuted.
Not quite so, that would only apply if the vehicle was standing in a street or on a taxi rank for the purpose of plying for hire. It would probably not apply to a hackney carriage in motion, regardless of whose licensing area they where in? Regards JD |
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| Author: | grandad [ Wed Mar 12, 2008 9:57 pm ] |
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When I go to say Nottingham to pick up a pre booked fare in one of my taxis, I have the top sign on to help the customer find my car. Is this illegal then? |
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