Taxi Driver Online

Alex,
I think that we can forget Lti if delimitation goes ahead. I think that they can only make 12 vehicles a week so not a cat in hells chance of them being the only supplier.
Ged

_________________
taxi driver @manchester airport

Which to me is a massive plus point.

_________________
IDFIMH

i bet LTI where rubbbing their grubby hand together when they read the OFT, "think of all the new cab they'll have to buy!!"

lucky for them eh? up until some big car making company jumps on the taxi band wagon and brings out a new PB.

what are the chances of LTI being bought out by BMW or GM?

Perhaps LTI were steveo, to the extent that 15,000 new cabs were forecast, but I think that since that the MCF turning circle was one of the few specific conditions actually singled out for criticism in the report then on balance I don't think they'll like the report, which seems to come through in the press release.

But as with anything other than the taxi quotas, the OFT just were clearly non-commital about it, and in any case were just stating the obvious:

"Nonetheless, it is important that these regulations are applied in a
proportionate manner. Our analysis has highlighted substantial variation
across LAs. An example of this is the application by some LAs of the
Metropolitan Conditions of Fitness (MCF) which set out detailed
specifications for taxi vehicles such as a maximum turning circle, a
maximum step height and wheelchair accessibility to certain
specifications. These were written expressly to meet the needs of
London but have been adopted by other LAs so that they cover 44 per
cent of taxi vehicles in the UK. Only certain models of vehicle currently
meet these requirements. These are significantly more expensive than the
saloon cars and wheelchair accessible vehicles allowed by many LAs.
There is a danger that the additional cost of MCF compliant vehicles may
raise prices and deter entry to the market thus limiting supply and leading
to a poorer service for consumers."

Dusty