Mr PHM wrote:
http://www.phtm.co.uk/media/1133361369.pdfQuantity restrictions.
The National Association views each case on its merits, and on that basis we are able to regard with dispassion the views of taxi drivers attempting to protect their market, and private hire drivers who are wishing to be part of that market.
Through a minefield of case law and personal experience, we have on the one hand acquired licences for members.
It would be interesting to know how far back he is going when he says, "they secured licenses" for their members?
Quote:
and on the other, protected members from deregulation.
What does he mean by "they protected members" from deregulation?
Which members is he talking about? Every association that has so far taken a council to court to stop them deregulating numbers has so far ended up on the losing side.
Quote:
Where deregulation has taken place, we have attempted to put in place such conditions as will ensure that those entering the trade have to make a significant financial contribution so as to ensure their intention to work within the industry in a proper and acceptable manner.
Ever had a feeling someone might be steeling your clothes?
Out of all the 51 authorities that have removed numbers control within the last eighteen months, I can honestly say I have never read a report, which cited the NPHA as being influential in them formulating their policy of Quality control? Perhaps I'm missing something here?
Quote:
We are concerned that in some areas where deregulation has been just that – no set parameters, no qualifications, just bring a car and get a licence – have led to a massive over-supply of taxis in the market. We particularly mention Worcester and Hereford.
I think it should be known that according to the DfT stats both Worcester and Hereford have a stipulated age requirement, which is compatible with many restricted authorities. Worcester in particular has a far better age quality regime than Sefton. Worcester stipulate 8 years maximum age where as Sefton stipulates 11 years. Trafford still has 16-year-old vehicles licensed and I bet many other restricted authorities are far worse off than Worcester or Hereford.
Mr PHM fails to mention that both Worcester and Hereford removed numbers control quite some time ago, so why he specifically singled them out over the other 234 authorities I'll never know?
I think whoever wrote this piece is scraping the bottom of the barrel and has a distinct bias towards retaining numbers. I wonder why he never singled out Sefton, Blackpool, Liverpool and Trafford as having aged vehicles? Perhaps those facts might have blown a large whole in the message he was trying to put across.
If anyone from Worcester or Hereford want a pop at Mr PHM you know where to write.
Regards
JD