Taxi Driver Online

This little piece has just appeared on another site, and I'm grateful for that other site's existance.

By all accounts this article will be in next months Taxi'talk'.

I have taken the opportunity to point out a few errors.

Alex


It’s That Verification Thing

When I became a trade representative, one of the first things I learnt through painful experience that if you receive a piece of information always ask where it came from, who said it and why are they saying it. Always verify a story, and crosscheck the source if its at all possible, and I like to think I take this ethos into writing for Taxi talk to be as accurate as possible. Please see the others thread re your accuracy.

I’m reasonably proficient with computers and sometimes spend hours on the internet, but I have never been into a chatroom, some people are amazed at this especially the ones who spend hours in them. My reply is I’ve no wish to talk to a 22 lorry driver from Scunthorpe passing himself off as Inga from Sweden, it’s that verification thing again, in cyberspace you can be anybody you want to be, male or female old or young ,Britney Spears or Gandalf or Britney Spears and Gandalf at the same time.

And where is this leading me to? To TAXI DRIVER ONLINE!
Now firstly, I’d like to make it clear that although I don’t visit chatrooms, or join web community groups, I’ve got nothing against them. In fact provided you always remember that the person on the other end mightn’t be who they say they are, they are generally a good thing. I’ve also got nothing against people that compile lists, after all Britain is unique for the hobby of trainspotting, they just don’t get it (in more ways that one) in other countries which is why the Greek authorities thought planespotters were spies!

What I do object to is a faceless organisation purporting to be an official taxi trade organisation please point out where and when anyone on TDO has implied anything of the sorts or think tank, compiling reports like ‘Restricted numbers myth & reality’ which some council officers have used for ‘information purposes’ for committee members, and sending every regulated council a list of ‘plate values’ to try to influence the ongoing review of taxi policy surely those that make decisions should be aware of all the facts, not just some of them.

So who is/are the people/person behind TDO why does it matter? Your guess is a good as mine, but the main man appears to be JD (apologies if I’ve got that wrong but it is a guessing game) yes you have got it wrong but it seems that TDO & JD are the same entity as I said, yes you have got it wrong, so can I call you JD(aka TDO). No on second thoughts because I’m extremely p***ed with you and as you can shed your skin in cyberspace, I’ll call you Johnny Wannaplate, or JW (aka JD, aka TDO). He compiled the ‘database’ of plate values, and how did he get the information? He asked forum members to post in how much a plate is in their authority oh dear, that point has been made, and pointed out how wrong it is, therefore councils up and down the country have been told the plate values in a particular area on the evidence of Jaw D. Lad or Snake Hips McGraw or some other daft username the only plate values JD received from members were, in the main wrong.

And who are they? They could be cab drivers or private hire drivers well it's on TDO's frontpage, and has been since its launch http://www.taxi-driver.co.uk/aboutus.htm, or a schoolboy in Croatia trying out his English and having a laugh at the same time, it could even be Rik Shaw(aka JW aka JD, aka TDO)or in a remarkable role reversal could be a Swedish au pair passing herself off as a 22stone Scunthorpe-based lorry driver I agree it could be, but it isn't.

Next performance, our friend Glenda (aka Rik Shaw aka JW aka JD aka TDO) pops up in a newspaper article about Taxis in Brighton morphed into ‘David Spencer (aka Glenda aka Rik Shaw aka JW aka JD aka TDO) taxi expert’ from the North West! Blimey! That’s where I’m from and I know or know of most of the trade reps in the area, and I’ve never heard of Oedipus Rex (aka David Spencer aka Glenda aka Rik Shaw aka JW aka JD aka TDO) is this the same story that Taxi'talk' edited out the plate value?

So what was his/her/its expert advice? Brighton needs more taxis to encourage competition. Hey J Arthur (aka Oedipus Rex aka David Spencer aka Glenda aka Rik Shaw aka JW aka JD aka TDO) why didn’t you mention that our fares are fixed by the council and we are all metered and therefore we all charge the same rates, and before you say you can charge less than the meter (and always have been able to) the reality is that unless it’s an ‘involved’ job, it’s pay what’s on the meter or there’s the bus stop over there; and I suspect that even THE MIGHTY VIKING WARRIOR (aka J Arthur aka Oedipus Rex aka David Spencer aka Glenda aka Rik Shaw aka JW aka JD aka TDO) does the same, that is assuming he’s/she’s a cab driver and not a sheep shearer from Wonga Wonga just doin’ this to wind the poms up. I take it economics is not your forte?

My area Wirral has delimited and the fleet has grown from 126 to 220 in little over 2 ½ years, yet I haven’t seen any evidence of this competition he was promising the good people of Brighton; no drivers offering 3 for 2 or happy hours or discounts for OAP’s, in fact even on the slowest Tuesday you could imagine, if someone flagged me down and asked me to go to the station explaining that instead of the £3.00 it normally costs, he will offer me £2.00 because he is aware of the increased competition, my offer to him would some way removed from “y’ drive a hard bargain, hop in mate”,I look forward to that being deciphered someday.

And another thing Tax E Xpert (aka THE MIGHTY VIKING WARRIOR aka J Arthur aka Oedipus Rex aka David Spencer aka Glenda aka Rik Shaw aka JW aka JD aka TDO) why didn’t you inform the Brighton councillors that they’ll have to increase ranking spaces so it’ll be bye-bye to that car park bay that rakes in a fortune each year, or that complaints by the public will rocket and ‘rip-offs’ will soar? Maybe it slipped your mind; mind you what with all that ‘experting’ you’ve been doing lately it’s a wonder you can remember your own name. So now the much famed 'managed growth' must be accompanied with 'managed car park de-growth'.

Now this isn’t the first little pop I’ve had at TDO (and probably won’t be the last) about refusing to tell the world who they/he/she is, they in turn have pointed out that we at taxi talk have ‘name and address supplied’ and regular columnists who write under a pseudonym. But the columnists are cab drivers talking to other cab drivers, Count Bartelli is a harmless nutter (albeit an amusing one) whilst the Riever is a wind up merchant par excellence. I think the word you are looking for is hypocrisy What they don’t do is go into the outside world claiming some sort of legitimacy, presenting a highly subjected (some would say distorted) view of the trade as the truth-nobodies got the copyright on that. Please point out where that was done.

So whoever you are, we are giving you the opportunity to reply to these criticisms, on condition you use your own name, so we’ll need to see your Birth Certificate, passport oh and a DNA sample wouldn’t go amiss. I expect it wouldn't

_________________
ʎɐqǝ uo pɹɐoqʎǝʞ ɐ ʎnq ı ǝɯıʇ ʇsɐן ǝɥʇ sı sıɥʇ

Simply the best taxi forum in the whole wide world. www.taxi-driver.co.uk

Are you sure this is not a Troll?

My database must be really getting to Mr Cummins, Mr Casey and Mr T lol. But why denigrate TDO? I suspect they just don't like councils exercising their democratic rights. You can forget all the bravado about "councils know best" that was just a smoke screen, this mob really thought that they could manipulate freethinking local councillors. The sound bite has backfired and pretty soon you will probably see another sound bite that states "councils know best" but only when they listen to Derek Cummins.

As for the reference to my plate values, I suppose Mr Cummins has to find something to discredit so why not pick on something that he knows nothing at all about, that’s about par for the course for Mr Cummins. lol. I notice he doesn't say which plate value is incorrect?

Publishing lies won't earn Mr Cummins any plaudits but it might boost the membership of TDO lol. It wouldn't surprise me if he goes to bed each night counting de limited councils and plate values.

He will have a good read anytime now after I've put the finishing touches to Wirral Part 2. That should cheer him up. One final point, considering he is Internet literate I'm surprised he doesn’t know the difference between a chat room and a Forum.

Regards

JD

Sorry JD I dont see any reference to either MrT or Mr Casey in the piece.

regards

Captain Cab

_________________
Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

JD's database is clearly ruffling a feather or two, and well it should. But the most sad part of Mr Cummings rant is that he doesn't take issue with any of the facts in JD's list.

Or he hasn't got the front to come on here and discuss the issue. Some people might well view that as cowardice.

But by having a pop at the author of the list, as opposed to the content, is a high compliment indeed. As it was when the self same people (apart from the Captain) had a pop at the author of M&R, again as opposed to the content.

It has been claimed by an ex member that JD's database has caused negative results for those wishing to see the end of quotas. Well all the fuss and nonsense from the likes of Mr Cummings clearly proves otherwise.

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IDFIMH

It's a bit sad that Mr Cummins seems to think that anonymity effectively invalidates the stuff on the site.

His chat room analogy, for example, doesn't really hold water in my opinion.

If he was a bit more specific about how anonymity was relevant to the substantive arguments then his piece might be worth responding to, but he isn't - all he does is try to puff out his point with a caricature/parody of the use of pseudonyms on the internet.

There's plenty of other points that effectively misrepresent the site as well, as pointed out by Alex - for example the 'official trade organisation' bit, and thinking that I'm JD - even the hardcore troublemakers that we've banned didn't think that.

Oh well, at least it gives the site a bit of publicity, and anyone interested in an objective appraisal of the arguments won't afford Mr Cummins's piece much weight, and it might help his kudos with much of his readership (who we knew we would never influence anyway), so everyone's happy

But we might as well wait until publication before responding in full.

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

The reference was to the nonsense you wrote under "Your local TOA". You didn't have the baaalls to sign your own name so instead you asked Cummins to be keep it anonymous.

Sad individual you are matey.

JD

What I can't understand is why Mr Cummings thinks posting or writing anon is so very wrong.

What does it matter? If a person point is valid, then surely his/her point is valid. Same if it's not valid.

The name at the end, appears only to make a difference, when those with opposing views can find no fault with the content.

I feel that Taxi'talk' is starting to lose the plot, which is a shame.

Alex

_________________
ʎɐqǝ uo pɹɐoqʎǝʞ ɐ ʎnq ı ǝɯıʇ ʇsɐן ǝɥʇ sı sıɥʇ

Simply the best taxi forum in the whole wide world. www.taxi-driver.co.uk

Touchy Touchy JD, thats almost as bad as saying you were sending LO's anonymously compiled lists.

Best Regards

Captain Cab

_________________
Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

At least what I write is fact sunshine.

Tell me, when did Carlisle get a copy of my database?

When have I ever tried to influence events in Carlisle?

I can see you're rattled Mr Casey that's why you put out that press release on behalf of the NTA. You thought to influence free thinking councillors in order to pursue your policy and not theirs. That's why you desperately wanted to know whom the non existent Spencer was because you thought it might give you some mileage. And now you are so frustrated at not knowing the author of this database that you revert to the tactics of the gutter press. It's just water off a ducks back to me. But remember this, "Liars often set their own traps".

If you had any misgivings about the database you could have clarified them on here by asking TDO or myself, however you thought you would be a smart azz and write a misleading article in Taxitalk and state that it is ground breaking news. lol. Well it might be ground breaking news to you but to others its just factual information of who's de limited and who hasn't.

Up to now I've only been toying with this database for a bit of fun but that's all changed. You just upped the ante and from now on I'm going to make what's gone before look like child's play. Every council that delimits from now on, "is on your head" matey.

Wayne Casey wrote"

What's this groundbreaking information?

Wayne Casey wrote


We know Wayne Casey is referring to Carlisle, which is an unrestricted Authority. So why the lie? You know as well as I do that the only authorities that were sent a copy of my database were restricted authorities. So why the lie?

I suppose it had to fit in with your mythical TOA, otherwise the article would have been meaningless.

Wayne Casey wrote.


What is confusing to some of us, is why you have to lie and fabricate in order to make a point. Your local Authority is unrestricted Carlisle, that database has never been anywhere near Carlisle. It's a pity you had to hide the fact that you were writing on behalf of Carlisle TOA and who's LO has never received a copy of this document.

I think we should put out a health warning where you're concerned, "Beware of the person with two faces"

JD

First of all, Dont call me sunshine, my late father didnt call me sunshine, so I dont see that you should have the honour. And please dont call me Mr. Casey, Ill think your talking to somebody else.

The article never said you tried to influence events in Carlisle, so where did you get that impression from? From what I have read of the letter it was an open letter.

I never put out a press release on behalf of the NTA, the NTA directors do that, although a copy of the press release was sent to TDO as a matter of courtesy, if you take a look at the main page it does basically say the ethos of the site is information.

It wasnt my thought to influence freethinking councillors, it was obviously yours, through sending your own thoughts to freethinking licensing officers, in an attempt to sway their reports.

I dont give a flying fig who Spencer is, although as I have stated in previous threads, I have never heard of him so who is Spencer? The question still remains.

I have stated misgivings before about the database, although I think I have never been anything other than supportive towards this site and indeed the right of a person to compile a list. Furthermore, if you take a look at Mr. Marchants site I even supported this site on there. For what its worth I think I agree with more points made by Sussex and TDO than anyone else.

Are you American? Because you fail to grasp the irony in the letter in taxitalk. By groundbreaking, the author was obviously being ironic.

I dont think that anything has actually changed, the database has been sent to local authorities, and was sent to local authorities before the last issue of taxitalk, if anything the letter acts as a warning to local TOAs of what is going on.

On my head? Wow! Youre the one who sent your thoughts to local authorities, now your getting a complex about it and its my fault. Go Figure.

As for things getting worse, well what could my LA do to make things worse? Deregulate? Allow Saloons on the station? Bearing in mind I own more saloon hackneys than purpose built, and operate a radio circuit, I dont actually think Ill be affected at all, indeed I could be better off.

It would certainly appear that your doing your level best to upset me, you see I can take a hint! Indeed it would also appear that you dont want me to contribute to the site anymore, if this is the case then so be it, although nemo me impune lacessit.

As for the two faces remark, I think youre a little off target and should perhaps look at yourself before casting judgement upon others, your going a long way towards ruining a good debating site for the trade.

Pro tempore

Captain Cab

_________________
Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

Yes, I noticed that Captain, thanks for trying to stick up for us.

I notice that in response the allegation made was a good bit from all that stuff that we recently had to rebut in an article and statement.

But still the allegation is a load of nonsense, and there's never been a shard of evidence presented to us that in any way suggests that the claims made are true.

For example, our accuser makes a huge deal of the fact that we started to make registration compulsory to post, all this required was a pseudonym and an email address that did not have to reveal the person's real name. This still makes the site as open, or even more open, than any similar past sites and all the current ones except those barely off the ground yet.

The reasons for this were made clear to him umpteen times in the past, but still he persists with his nonsense. And in previous sites administered by our accuser he made umpteen policy changes like this. Indeed, Mr Marchant recently opened one forum, then abandoned that one and opened another in less than a couple of weeks or so.

And the rest of the stuff on there is mainly misrepresenting or defaming us.

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

No I'm calling you by your real name Wayne Casey, you wrote the article and you haven't the baaalls to admit it.



Lets get one thing straight, The article was written by you. You live in Carlisle. You said in your article,

"The reasons why someone from another area, would wish to influence events in this borough are a slight mystery to me"

Where exactly is this borough you refer to? = The borough of the author, which is you, therefore your borough is Carlisle.



It was you who informed the NTA in your roll as administration officer, of the current state of play in respect of councils lifting numbers. It was on your advice that a statement be put out requesting councils to think twice before lifting numbers.


You were able to inform the NTA of the current position only because of the information, which could be found in my Database. If it weren't for my database you wouldn't have had a clue what was going on.

Remember this?


I think it's about time you got another NTA Press release ready because there are only 10% of councils in England and Wales that have so far made a firm decision to restrict numbers. You must be wondering how many of the 73 remaining councils who have yet to decide, will follow suit? Type that in your next Casey column.



For the last two years you have done nothing else but to try and influence anyone who will listen to the gospel of the NTA. You and every other so-called trade representative have all put your two penneth in. Now, when you see a document that does nothing else but advise on facts, you get paranoid because you think the document is in someway influencing councils to lift numbers. Hence your article in Taxitalk.

Perhaps you should be reminded of what you said at the Roker Hotel on November 18 2003.

W. Casey gave details of the Carlisle response to the O.F.T. Report.

Control should not be taken away from Local Authorities. The Report also goes against DIPTAC and the D.D.A. Carlisle deregulated in 1998 and any type of vehicle can be licensed as a hackney carriage wheelchair accessible or saloon. The result is that whilst it is easier to hire a taxi on Friday, Saturday or Sunday nights, it is almost impossible to hire at taxi at 7.30 a.m. on Wednesday mornings. All taxis are now single shifted owner-drivers, there are no double shifted taxis. Mr. Casey felt that the initial N.T.A. response should be to rubbish the report, but to have a fall back position. The fall back position should be that all new licenses should be purpose built, but at the very least wheelchair accessible. Existing licenses should have grandfather rights. Taxis are a localised form of transport and they should be controlled locally.

So we have Mr Casey admitting that since de restriction in Carlisle it is easier to get a cab on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights, something which the NTA have never admitted before. In fact they have always said that there are less cabs available under de restriction but in private they think the opposite. It is also gratifying to see your comments about rubbishing the OFT Document.

The most striking comment in your statement is your suggestion of a fall back position. That fall back position you advocate is more or less exactly what most of these delimiting Councils are opting for today.

To repeat what you said.

The fall back position should be that all new licenses should be purpose built, but at the very least wheelchair accessible. Existing licenses should have grandfather rights.

Therefore you can't complain when Councils carry out a policy which you yourself advocate. Now why am I surprised that you didn't mention that in your Open letter to LO's?



That's why you emailed the Argus because you don't give a flying f...



You haven't stated any misgivings whatsoever about the database. I asked you purposely over two weeks ago what you thought of it, if you had any misgivings you could have pointed them out there and then but you didn't. I suspect that is because you had already written your local TOA piece for Taxitalk.



This site isn't the issue, it's you're article that's in the dock, not this website.



Well that doesn't surprise me in the least when you compare the common sense and reasoning of the two parties you just mentioned.



Well you should know the mens rea of the author because you wrote it. To me and probably a great many others, you're comment was facetious.



You're letter is nothing of the sort, it is an attempt to publicly discredit me through misrepresentation and lies. Those lies came from your hand.

What do you mean by what is going on? According to you the database is a groundbreaking piece of information, now you imply it's sinister. Just because Wayne Casey doesn't like the facts it doesn't mean they aren't welcome in the quarter in which they are directed. The problem with you is that you think you have the right to dictate policy to every council in England and Wales, the inference of your last sentence says it all.

I've got a good suggestion for you Mr Casey, The next time you put pen to paper try writing the facts.

JD

hehe

next months issue should be a cracker

Captain Cab

PS the roll of administrator is to administrate, not to dictate policy

_________________
Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

I've been told to say nothing, so nothing I will say.

Apart from

So that cleared that up.

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IDFIMH

lol sussex thats perhaps just as well, least said soonest mended?

I'm still trying to figure out how you can discredit an anonymous person

Captain Cab

_________________
Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin