Taxi Driver Online

Of course some in the trade wish that the extra 15,000 doesn't come into fruition. But if it does happen, will the world suddenly stop?

There are currently 75,500 licensed HCs in the UK. So the extra 15,000 equates to about an extra 20%. So if you work in an area that has say 200 HC, in time that will increase to 240.

But where will these drivers come from? Not thin air, they will come from those already in the trade. Journeymen will buy their own vehicles, if they wish, and PH drivers will just change codes.

Yes, it is fair to say that some ranks will have more HCs plying on them. But if the ex PH are there, then there will be more radio work available for all, including HCs. And if the antedotal info that the customer base increases is right, then there should be more rank and path work available.

So although the OFT report may not be what many would have wished. In my view, for some, it could have been a hell of a lot worse.

as the songf said, I second that emotion

I suppose if we get rid of the deadwood in the nicest way. Then the 15000 extra will hopefully not kill the trade.
The lads on the rank thou are not happy one little bit. I cant see anyway they are going to be made happy. No chance at all.

Well depending on exactly does come out of the DTI or DfT, I suppose all of us have to make it work.

Am I happy with the OFT report, not really, but it's out there, and I don't believe it's going to be amended by the government.

So for those of us that don't like some parts of it, I think we are just going to have to lump it.

Alex

Why should we assume that the figure of 15,000 to be correct? From reading the piece, I think that they have extrapolated data from flawed reports,they have started off with preconceived ideas and produced accordingly.
There is no denying that we needed change, and radical change at that, but they cannot do it piecemeal.
I would hope that if nothing else this report is the catalyst for a far reaching agreement that takes control Nationally of the trade,I for one wanted less control at the town halls not more!!
This piece of woolyheaded reportage will not be the answer that I think we deserve. At the risk of repeating myself just by adding cabs is not the future,any fool could have said that.We needed a complete overhaul and the Oft with the starting point of customer satisfaction was not the body to do that.
Ged

Yes, the 15,000 isn't a very credible figure - many new plates would be HC jockies getting their own plate, or PH drivers doing likewise/

So as regards supply in the total combined market, the net affect is no change.

Let's face it, some of the figures for reductions in passenger waiting times and the like are pretty paltry, and I suspect that's the reason.

Dusty

I suppose there is little we can do about it whether its 15,000 or 15 million.
If we concentrae on our customers then why should they stop using us. If drivers and vewhicle standards are made better then it should make for better standards all round.
Because lets face it we must all know drivers that are poo and usaullly there vehicles match. Get rid of them if they wont cahange. Get rid of the parttimers and the deadwood, and we might be better off.
Oh and sussex, the T&G don't scaremonger me. dealt with them a long time ago. Long story never again.

I'm sorry Mr Gull you can't get away with that.

Come on give us the story about your dealings with the T&G.

Alex

Too long Im afraid. But what broke the camels back was when i asked the local branch to support my request for free and open access to the railway station.
To cut a story short our local station needs a pass. No problem with that but they have now limited that with the full support of the T&G.
So when I ask them to fight for one of there policys. They say **** off Im alright Jack.
So to the T&G I say **** off. If they cant help with one of there main policys then wants the point of them?

Fantastic Cgull.

Doesn't that just about sum it up.

An organisation that is so two faced it makes you want to puke.

Sorry. Mr Guest was me.

I feel that also sums up parts of this trade.

Many people say you should do this and that, but seldom do it themselves. The 'free and open' access policy is perhaps the only one of the T&G's that I support. But it appears that it only applies in some parts, but not others.

Do the T&G support 'free and open' access for the yellow London boys into Heathrow (which is in yellow boys area)?

Do the T&G support 'free and open' access for Cgull in his manor?

Do the T&G support 'free and open' access for licensed PH in bus lanes?

Do the T&G support 'free and open' access for all to become HC vehicle proprietors?

If they don't, then they are just a bunch of hypocrites. I will leave you to decide.

There are currently 75,500 licensed HCs in the UK. So the extra 15,000 equates to about an extra 20%. So if you work in an area that has say 200 HC, in time that will increase to 240.

It would be ok if it was just 20%. In one area there are currently 360 HC, the council have a waiting list for plates with 109 drivers on it, also one PH operator has asked for 30 HC plates. An extra 139 cabs which represents a far bigger hike than 20% it's nearer 40%. As there are no restrictions on the number of PH vehicles why is there a shortage of taxis at peak times, and how would increasing the number of HC ease this situation? Where are the extra drivers going to come from, if they are out there waiting for HC plate why aren't they PH at the moment? And if they are going to swap from PH to HC how will that mean more taxis? Or am I missing something.

All these numbers make for fascinating reading, but they matter not a jot.

As I said on another thread, you could have an extra thousand cabs, but they don't drive themselves.

If you look at the OFT case studies, you will see that the extra HCs came from those already in the HC/PH trade.

De-limitation allowed those previously not permitted to pick up from the streets legally, to be legally able too.

This also had the effect of increasing the number of customers using HCs, cos when customers walk home, having been unable to flag down a HC, nobody wins.

But when they can flag down a HC, then everyones happy.

There is a shortage of taxis at peak times, cos restricting the number of HCs means that they are unable to adapt to customer needs.

Those that are on the waiting list are, in the main, both PH vehicle owners, and HC and PH journeymen. If the present PH fleet swap to HC, then they will be able to pick up the flaggers that seem now to walk home.

But the idea is not just to swap from PH to HC, it's to bring new blood into the trade. Now the new blood has a choice if they want to own a HC vehicle, either they pay up to £50/60,000 for a black market plate, or they wait up to 26 years off the list.

Which one of them would bring you into the HC trade?