Taxi Driver Online

JD started a thread from Bournemouth with this link;

http://www.bournemouth.gov.uk/news/pres ... lation.asp

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

So the Government issue their Action Plan in June 2004, but Bournemouth take until January 2005 to say they are going to do what they should have started 6 months ago.

But then again this is the council that puts a condition (albeit illegal) on newly issued plates, that they can't be transferred for at least 5 years.

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IDFIMH

lol It would seem there is no urgency in Bourenmouth, perhaps everything is run at a sedate pace.

Best wishes.

JD

There's probably a connection between that and the ombudsman's case about the hiring of plates in Bournemouth.

Just a watered down version of Dundee really.

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

Sefton are in the same boat as Bournemouth, they have a survey llined up for July and won't present a report until late in the year. There are some Authorities who are relaxed about the letter from Rupert Cope and because there is no mandatory order in the letter, some councils are treating it as advice and nothing more.

On the whole the majority of councils are addressing the guidance but in theory the deadline of March is flexible.

Best wishes

JD

J.D. In all fairness to you this is a pretty true appraisal of how sefton views this situation.
we have spken to both rupert and pippa, There are no new laws(no penalties) if you do not commply to their REQUEST,But in the interest of betterment for the taxi trade we will.
love mr .T

Quite right Mr T - that's exactly what we said on here after the Govt's announcement, in or Political fix piece (extract below)

However, it took some in the trade a good while to work this out. Remember Mr T, good or bad, you'll read it here first

But one fundamental point is that the process does not envisage any immediate legislatory change, thus local authorities will be under no legal obligation to adhere to the DfT's new guidance. Of course, the current unmet demand test in the legislation is fleshed out by case law, and to that extent the judiciary could use the DfT's guidance to amend the legal obligations of local authorities, but without new legislation only the courts can change the law, not the Government.

But even assuming that the courts fall into line and incorporate the DfT's new guidance into the law, this would first require a legal challenge if local authorities decide not to follow the guidance, and even then individual authorities could still choose to ignore the amended law, as some clearly choose to do currently, on the assumption that they won't be challenged in court.

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

But the review must appear in your local Transport Plan, else it will make it difficult for those councils when they apply for grants etc.

I know it sounds strange, but I bet you anything this time next year a council or two will regret being so slow.

Watch this space.

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IDFIMH

SUSSEX. As i have said before,We are already complying with all the proposals that rupetts department has issued,And have been doing so for years.
We were derestricted years ago (we know it does not work), Only causes extreme finaincial hardship to drivers and owners, Everyone ends up working longer hours for less money .The public end up with a second rate taxi service.Run with part time work force.And the best of it is,When somebody in power realises that they have cocked-up ,We get the blame ,And have to clear up the mess.
We lived through this and know from first hand experience,
but as you, t.d.o, and j.d. would say we know nothing.
love mr T

If you were de-restricted a few years ago, then it's fair to say that a lot of drivers got their plates for nothing. How much are those plates worth now? Why should some drivers get plates for nothing, whilst others have to pay through the teeth? Is that what you mean by commitment?

I have yet to see any evidence that de-limiting effects the trade, customers don't just suddenly dissapear. However it does effects those that dictate to drivers when they work, and how much they should pay for the priviledge. Why not ask the non plate-holders of your manor if they would rather plate their own vehicle. And if they say no, then you have nothing to fear.

What I have seen is poor vehicle and driver standards effecting the trade. What I have seen is economical downturns having an adverse effect on the trade. All councils can control the former, but none of us can do a lot about the latter.

Take Liverpool, the world was going to end when they de-limited. Strange that none of those extra plates issued were never handed back. Yes those £30,000 ones.

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IDFIMH

SUSSEX. I do not know who it is that gives you your information,But i wish he would get it right ,liverpool plates were handed back in .And the sefton drivers assocs voted unaminously against unlimiting the number of licences issued.
love mr T

Well if the drivers voted as one to stay restricted, well then you have nothing to worry about, because no-one will take one of any newly issued plates. So what's the problem with de-limitation?

As for Liverpool, are you really saying that the day before they re-restricted every was terrible, drivers were handed plates back, too many cars on the ranks, and the day after everything was so good that nobody has ever handed a plate back?

In short, if everything is so bad, why would anyone wish to license a cab? What have you got to worry about, apart from preserving your plate premium, that cost you nothing?

Why should the likes of you get a plate for nothing, but equally qualified drivers have to pay tens of thousands?

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IDFIMH

sussex, Do you ever get your facts right ,(before you open your big mouth).......love mrT

No Liverpool plates were ever handed back in. Perhaps you can offer up some names? Liverpool licensing department have put it on record that no plates where ever handed back in...and yes I have the record. So before one opens ones mouth, one should be sure that what comes out is factual, and not hot air.

Best wishes

JD

YES...........lots of it .........mr t