Taxi Driver Online

Things are starting to get tough in Edinburgh, work is dropping off markedly. Talk on ranks is about how bad it is now and how bad it’s going to get in the next few months.

I’ve spoken to guys who have bought in recently and are up to their eyes in debt. One guy bought in just before Christmas, he is virtually living in the taxi to pay for everything.

Is it the same or worse down south? The ranks up here are bursting at the seams.

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All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others.
George Orwell, "Animal Farm"

Oh and before anyone tells me we aren’t yet in a recession, the taxi trade is one of the first get hit, and usually about 4- 6 months before everyone else admits to it actually being a problem.

It could be said that the taxi trade is a litmus test of the economy.

If we escape a full-blown recession it would be a miracle but I don't doubt we are well on our way into one.

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All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others.
George Orwell, "Animal Farm"

The rest of this year, and the whole of next year, ain't going to be too clever.

Look after every punter.

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IDFIMH

I've heard the same thing, the only trouble is, how far does this rabbit hole go?

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All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others.
George Orwell, "Animal Farm"

Will rentals come down along with plate "values" or will drivers get the opportunity of putting on their own vehicles?

I wonder if Mr. T or Captain Cab will drop their drivers rentals in line with the fall in work?


Remember, Mr. T has just become a granddad again and a man of conscience

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All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others.
George Orwell, "Animal Farm"

Drivers will vote with their wallets. If income drops far enough, they will walk away.

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

Yes, it's rather slow down here at the minute, has been since well before xmas.

Occasional busy blips but generally crap.

Taxi journeys are always the first thing to go by the wayside when money is tight, particularly down here where the wages are so bad but the cost of living is high.

Says the man who's trying to burst the doors open.

But remember that they don't think that the number of cabs will have an effect on the income of the drivers.



B. Lucky

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"Here's a simple solution. If you don't want to pay more for a premium service then wait in the queue, problem solved".
Skull on TDO

TF pi$$ed on his chips.

Same guys doing the same job driving their own vehicles.

I know drivers who are paying in excess of £300 a week for a rental. The average is about £250-£300 depending on what shifts you work and that’s for 60 - 72 hour week.

A driver can put on an E7 or a second hand TX1 for £200 a week all in, with his taxi doubling as his private car, a big saving right at the outset as he doesn’t need to pay for a second vehicle.

He can then work the hours he wants around his family commitments.

Forget about ridiculous plate “values” and drivers rentals, this is about guys having the right to control their own working environment without propping up someone’s little illusion. It’s hard enough to scrape a living without someone feeding on you ... Nigel

It was only a matter of time before the bubble burst, it had to happen.

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All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others.
George Orwell, "Animal Farm"

Cabs don't drive themselves. It's only an increase in drivers that give the customer a increase in taxi services.

Same guys doing the same job driving their own vehicles, it's that simple.

In Edinburgh the taxi trade have always left any increase in transport services to the Ph or Council operated bus group. And now that their market share is shrinking they can't work out why.

Something to do with guys like you GA, claiming to represent the trade but don't.

Oh look at me (GA), I'm on a committee I must be clever and important:roll:

Brain-dead more like .....

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All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others.
George Orwell, "Animal Farm"

The brain dead aspect of the argument comes from you Mr Skull.

Firstly, I represented the trade, and delivered what I was asked to by the people who elected me ....................... I have not done that for some time.

Secondly, are you really so stupid to not understand that the people renting the vehicles are doing so to people who can't afford or obtain a plate of their own. If every driver was given a plate I would imagine that they'd have to buy a vehicle, not everyone can do that for many different reasons.

You then go into a rant about recession and then encourage people to go into debt to get their own cab ............................. I say rent off those who have the financial risk and then when the economic climate is better, or indded if the economy ever recovers, come back and try and make an argument.

Do you still not mind paying more for a premium service or waiting in a queue to get it?

I though I saw your name on a loaf of bread the other day ................ but then I realised it actually said Thick CUT.

B. Lucky

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"Here's a simple solution. If you don't want to pay more for a premium service then wait in the queue, problem solved".
Skull on TDO

TF pi$$ed on his chips.

We have been feeling the effects of the recession down here for 6 months as I have mentioned several times before on here looks like it has reached Edinburgh now then at least you got to have a descent xmas before it kicked in

London's fine. School holidays finaly finish next week ,so that always helps.

Not too difficult 'down sarf!' Schools being off has made a difference. A lot of independents who rely on their school runs have killed the ranks tonight and the phones seem a bit quiet. Add to that a few of our drivers putting in extra hours and it's been a tough week.

Next week will return to normal and everyone will be happy again.

There is a danger of you lot talking yourselves into a recession. It's as quiet as you want to say it is. Think positive and 'bubble' with your passengers and you're on the way to maintaining your income level. Customers will look for you if they've had a pleasant experience at a reasonable price.