Taxi Driver Online

I've only read about a third of the report so far, but I was wondering Wharfie, what has disappointed you?

Alex

It don't really say a deal anyway nothing we already knew.

To a degree Nigel you are right, but when you say we, I assume you mean the 1% of us that actually have a clue as to what happens in our trade, and what governs our trade.

The other 99% just plod on.

However now, instead of Nigel saying this or that, or SM saying this and that, we have proper research to back both us and the government up, when they decide which way to go.

We may not like it, we can have a moan up about it, but unless people prove the research wrong, then what OFT recommend will happen.And I for one hope it does.

As they say in the bit of the report I've looked at. Following de-limit in Bristol, the HC trade grew by 150%, but the total HC/PH fleet by only 4%. Also in Cambridge and Sheffield, following de-limit the HC/PH fleet remained static.

But of course the scaremongers will say different.

Mmmm.. Haven't worked my way through the whole lot as yet but does anyone know if it mentions anything about councils being obliged to provide more rank space in proper places.

This of course would be necessary for all the extra taxis that will be floating around..... or does the report fail to mention this point?

That goes to all us drivers Andy as you say who know the trade.

Just to emphasis the ignorance of the trade, I have just scanned through four other web forums for this industry and not one of them mentions the publication of the report today.

If web based forums don't keep up you can't expect those on the street to have a clue.

Old Foster is to busy offering a service to the muggers of peoples mobile phones and making abusive posts under many guest posts to include it on his site.

Claude

What I meant by 'Free and Open Access' was the campaign for unfettered access to transport interchanges etc. Maurice, hence the capitals!!

As for the KOL, I thought they might recommend watering it down, but it doesn't even seem to be mentioned.

But apart from de-limitation, there's not really that much in it, as far as I can see, certainly not what you'd call radical.

But I still haven't printed it off!!

Dusty

The FT and this guy seem to have gotten hold of the wrong end of the stick:

"Taxi drivers associations, who have been campaigning for more restrictions across the country, are expected to lobby heavily against the suggestion.

"Garry Slattery, a London cabbie for twelve years, said: "This is a step in the wrong direction. Just look at all the empty cabs on the streets of London. Supply far exceeds demand. What the OFT is suggesting is disastrous news for taxi drivers."

Dusty

if the trade is altered it needs to be radical, you can hardly get a bill at abolition of restriction of numbers, nige has made a point not one I might add that hes thought about, nothing we didnt already know! he says thats because all these issues have been discussed on taxi forums, and on here ironicaly nigels channel barred me for saying much thats in the report they called it abuse!

this report more or less leaves the private hire they dragged in to investigate, it doesnt reccomend single code but gives 4 reasons why we should go single code.

every single argument given in the report regarding retention limit by numbers has been answered in exactly the same way as I have on these forums.

It make me feel as if they have been looking on the forums, and printed my replies.

Alan on Taxiforums must not have had a copy, they are deliouriously blissfully unaware and still fighting over the best ways to abuse me! just typical of the moment.

if councils go rushing in on this there will be [edited by admin] all over the floor, for another view of mine they have endorsed it aint about de regulation its about more regulation, so far that point is missing the target.

by the way Alex its a reference doccument and not to be read cover to cover, bit like the bible you look at the areas and study them you are obviously reading the dross as well

Wharfie

Quite right Wharfy, save a few Amazonian rain forests!

Dusty

Scanner,
that proposal is part of the transport planning process, it doesnt realy cover it but mentions that some will rank up and some roam and ply.

Wharfie

More rubbish being spoken by those drivers who should know better.

As OFT have not recommended the dilution of the KOL, then really it doesn't effect London at all. So what gobby is complaining about empty cabs for, in relation to OFT, heaven only knows.

Perhaps it's the case that nothing is earth shattering, but as we have been debating the inns and outs on a number of taxi forums, it comes as no great surprise to me.

In my manor, we have proper vehicle and driver standards, however we also have quotas. So if we get rid of those quotas, then I believe we might have cracked it.

Not too sure the existing HC trade will share those views, but at least the rotten dead wood will be gone.

And amen to that.

That's something your LA needs to address, following pressure from your local trade.

I'm assuming the local PH trade must sit somewhere, so give them HC vehicle licenses, and paint up their waiting areas as HC ranks.

If councils are allowed to do nothing, they will.