Taxi Driver Online

Read the story here:

http://www.taxi-driver.co.uk/ltda.htm

Discuss the issues below.

I have a degree of sympathy with the LTDA over this poster. For them to do such a thing, perhaps tells us exactly what they are up against.

However not all minicab drivers are scum, although a percentage of London cabbies believe that to be true, most of the attacks are committed by touts. These pieces of s*** are not illegal minicab's, they are illegal taxis.

But what is the answer?

Surely the only way forward is happening, in that operators must be licensed now, drivers have started to be licensed, but must be registered, and vehicles will be licensed in due course.

Yes it is taking ages, but what other option do those that didn't want PH licensing in London full stop, offer up.

get rid of minicabs or private hire and just have black cabs. the green boys can do the city, and the yellow boys can do the suburbs.
the yellow boys are struggling at present, so they will easily be able to cope with the demand.

Interesting solution.

However I doubt the existing Black Cab trade, be they green or yellow, could cope with the demand that 40,000+ minicabs/PH currently meet.

I also suspect that some of that trade they wouldn't touch with a very big barge pole.

Lurking!

Where did the 10'000 go since this thread began?

Well I suspect they decided they didn't want to go through all the licensing lark, and the trade is therefore best rid of them.

But surely you must think it's a good thing less cabs out?

_________________
IDFIMH

Indeed I do.

Just having a little trawl through some of the discussion from 2 years ago.

Interesting.

The number seems to have come down gradually - 60 or even 80 thousand was commonly posited in the late 90s.

I think those figures must have been over-estimates, but as Sussex says, no doubt some have 'opted-out' of licensing.

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

the ltda do a very good job but if i was the boss i would get rid of minicabs for good as they are a waste of space lets face it you can go down the car auction and buy a car with the yellow stickers in the window and go out touting as they do when iam watching them on a sat night so how safe is that ban dont licence

And how can the LTDA boss do that?

_________________
IDFIMH

Doing a good job at what?

LPH are taking all your work, even from within your own taxi circuits.

And stop the world because cars are being sold at aution with their stickers on, and of course the bowler hats suddenly change into something else when they are de-licensed.

You sound a bit stressed mate, no brasses in the back tonight?

Ollie

_________________
Happy to be legit.

Shutting down your dodgy operators.

Preventing your mob getting adverts on their cars to assist them touting on the streets.

But the best one, is getting right up your nose, and as long as they do that Ollie, I'm laughing all the way!

I think that's a bit unrealisitic, unless of course you want to be able to use saloons as taxis and water down the KOL - any takers?

Anyway, if Mr LTDA is doing such a good job, why do you keep on wailing about minicabs?

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

Your 'baby on board' stickered cars can be sold on to anyone, rapists, Illegal Immigrants and violent offenders.

And thats just the licensed Minicab drivers.

Taxi's can only be sold plated to a Taxi proprieter or a Taxi dealership.

Un-plated Taxi's once retired can be bought by anyone, but having been worked to the hilt, they are not a common sight.

Perhaps you could buy one Ollie, it'll be the closest you get to becoming an iconic London Cabbie.

Trouble is, GBC, I had Ollie down as an iconoclast

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