Taxi Driver Online

I council wishes to maintain a policy of restricting the number of HC licenses it issues ?

Does it -

A - have the right to do it of their own volition.
B - have to justify their policy to the DFT (which I believe is a government department)


If a council needs to justify its policy to a government department then is it not fair to say that the government have demanded it.

Does the government department not expect to see a survey completed to justify the councils policy if it chooses to retain numbers.

Does it therefore not follow that by insisting that councils justify their decision to retain numbers to the DFT, and considering that a survey is required to prove that a restriction of numbers is not to the publics detriment, any sane person would conclude that the government indeed demand a survey if a restriction of numbers is to be retained.

Preparing to be "spun" in your usual manner, taking quotes from other questions within the same thread.

B. Lucky

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Skull on TDO

TF pi$$ed on his chips.

I need to correct you here because a man of your standing shouldn't go around stating things that are not true. "The Government" demand nothing, it is the law as in section 16 that does the demanding. The Government under the auspicies of the DfT merely remind councils of their obligations under the law. I'm sure any of the 343 councils will tell you that the Government has never demanded they have a survey.



I don't see why you find it difficult to understand?

You asked Gateshead council to re-restrict numbers but in order to do that they are going to have to show there is no unmet demand, this means a survey of some sort. Without a survey you don't get your restriction, therefore unless you have other methods of restricting numbers, the survey is your only lifeline.

JD

With over 200 + HC and only 2 nightclubs I don't think they'll have a problem proving there is no unmet demand. You have to see it to believe it.

Sorry JD but I don't understand what your getting at here.

We asked Gateshead Council to restrict numbers and a temporary suspension was implimented.

I understand that an un-met deand survey will need to be carried out if that temporary suspension is to become re-restriction HOWEVER neither our association OR the council see the necessity of a survey as the lack of demand is clearly evident.

The council have had a massive number of complaints about HC's forming long queue's around the town centre as the overflow is effecting businesses as well as residents. This has lead to the traffic wardens threatening to give tickets to drivers sitting behind the ranks.

The reality in Gateshead is that if all the on street parking in the town centre was turned into ranks tomorrow there would still not be enough room for the taxis wishing to wait for work.

It is Section 16 which demands the survey, but it is the government who write the laws and it is the government who is demanding justification. If it was the governments will section 16 could be ammended, so I see clear justification in my statement that the government demand the surveys.

The problem here is that Dusty has concentrated more on my earlier mistake, than on the questions raised.

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.

300+ HC Nigel and neither of the nightclubs are doing well as they are both within 800 yards of Newcastle City centre where newer nightclubs have become the place to be seen.

OH and add to the fact that the town centre is to be demolished before being re-developed (with one big Tesco store apparently) and you can see that any unmet demand survey will conclude over provision.

The government insist on surveys which cost a considerable amount of money, money that doesn't need to be spent as the demand in Gateshead is so clearly for customers and not for vehicles.

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.

So you've spent hundreds of words trying to say that it was me that had it wrong, now you're admitting that you made a mistake?

All I was doing was pointing out your rather imprecise use of language, and if you'd not tried to blame it on me then I wouldn't have 'concentrated' on it, would I?

And of course, the spin is yours, not mine

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Taxi Driver Online
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I wouldn't say 100's of words like ................ but if thats what you claim and it makes you happy then so be it.

The fact though still remains that you have failed to respond to majority of each post choosing instead to concentrate on my mistake.

B. Lucky

_________________
"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.

That is accepted and no one is denying the current temporary state of affairs in Gateshead. However, you clearly realise the reality of the situation in your next paragragh when you say, "a survey will need to be carried out if the temporary situation is to become permanent".

No one on here has ever questioned or offered an opinion on demand in Gateshead but it should be remembered that councillors implemented the current policy and they alone are responsible.

It should also be remembered that the majority of those hackney carriage owners in Gateshead got their plate issued for the cost of the license fee and now they want to restrict others, from obtaining what they got for free.

JD

I accept that, and admit that all of the WAV plateholders got their plate for the cost of the licence.

The problem is that at some stage the trade and authorities need to examine properly exactly what is in the best interest of the people of the borough.

In Gateshead we are currently going through just that, our association is seeking balance and the council agree that standards need to be increased.

I suppose what I'm saying here is that there is no fair way to impliment restrictions whether they be quality or quantative. For example is it fair to expect a new applicant to buy a vehicle less than 2 years old when previous applicants have been able to licence a scrapper which has barely scraped through a council test.

A line needs to be drawn .............. some people will suffer wherever that line is drawn and I can assure you that if there were a way to restrict numbers without the plates attracting a premium I would support its implimentation 100%.

The changes being made in Gateshead are to improve service to the public, and force current drivers to become professional in their approach.

The results will be interesting indeed.

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.

Of course I agree that the responsibility lies with the council ................. but when the DfT are constantly asking for justification of policies if they choose to restrict numbers is it not the case that they are being forced.

I hate surveys ................ I believe that a decision can easily be made through proper consultation with the WHOLE of the local trade, the council and the Police.

Local policies need no interferance from people who know nothing about the needs of the local people.

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.

Well there's 173 in the top quote, and that's just from one post.

So I'll add an inability to count to your other weaknesses?

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

Well if you're unable to admit to your mistake and instead try to waffle and blame me then isn't it right that I respond?

Again, you're trying to blame me for your own cock up and subsequent inability to admit your mistake, and even when you do admit it it's my fault somehow!

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

As for the substance of your post, it all got a bit boring on the umpteenth occassion about three years ago, so it's all pointless now.

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

Funny, you used to wax lyrical about surveys.

And why join the NTA if it's all about local policies for local people.

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

Oh yeah there you go again, I have admitted I made a mistake yet you try and say that I haven't.

I MADE A MISTAKE WHEN I STATED THAT TDO USED THE WORD DEMAND WHEN IN FACT I HAD USED THE WORD EARLIER IN THE POST

I hope that makes you happy ................... but it still doesn't answer my questions.

3 years ago Gateshead was deregulated and service levels were at an all time low.

With 3 years worth of experience we have turned the corner, the future for the HC and PH trade and the service the customers will get significantly better.

What have you changed in the last 3 years .................. probably nothing more than your underpants.

[edited by admin].

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.