Taxi Driver Online

Well go on then Mick?

As a member of the NPHA I am aware that the Secretary of the organisation wrote to all members about the report, telling us where to find a copy and telling us that if we didn't like what was said we owed it to ourselves to write to the Department of Transport.

He also gave his opinion that it would suit some and not others.

As for his opinion in PHM, well it is what it says 'Opinion of B Roland'. And I have to say that I didn't read it

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A member of the Hire or Reward Industry

I have sympathy with the opinion of Mr Angel if he is saying that he is not in agreement with the NPHA views re: the OFT study.

Just saying that here it is, and it's up to everyone else to do what they want with it, to me looks like a big fat buck pass.

If something as big to the HC/PH trade as the OFT report is buck passed by the NPHA, then one has to wonder what's their point?

I bet Mr Angel you didn't expect that.

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IDFIMH

Sussex

It is similar to the Tories and the position they find themselves in on the Euro.

Same party, many different opinions that will never be reconciled.

It is impossible for one voice to be representative of the mass on the issue.

Surely a subjective report on the pro and cons of different aspects of the report and allowing (even imploring) those with opinions to voice them direct is a sensible process.

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A member of the Hire or Reward Industry

I just don't understand how the ONLY spokesman of a National Association can adopt such an attitude.

At least we all know the opinion of the T&G, right or wrong, believe them or not at least they are representing some peoples opinion and expressing their concerns.

Maybe we need a new, all encombasing body.

Maybe it could be called The National Association of Hire and Reward Drivers.

Maybe then REAL driver opinion could be heard in Westminster, putting BOTH sides of each argument.

Just maybe.

B. Lucky

I agree Tom, but I have yet to see anything like that from the NPHA.

Now I know just because I haven't seen it doesn't mean there isn't one, but if there is one out there I'm quite sure TDO would run it.

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IDFIMH

Westminster dont want both sides of an argument they want one voice.

they can always see the other viewpoint.

But the point is they can't.

How can they, there are points within the OFT report, for example, which do not go far enough, and there are points which are never raised at all.

The biggest benefactor to de-limitation are the licensing authorities. As far as I'm concerned the OFT have encouraged each council to increase their revenue by releasing the H/C plates. Licensed driver numbers have more than doubled in Gateshead and vehicles have risen by an even bigger margin. By opening up the plate issue less enforcement is required as well as fewer administration staff, again I point at Gateshead for a perfect example of this where there are absolutely NO dedicated "taxi" licensing staff.

Does anyone really believe that any local authority gives a monkeys toss about our trade or have any concern if anyone makes any money, I don't believe that they even consider Public Service before they consider each years balance sheet.

The comment made elsewhere on this site quoted a Newspaper article which claimed the Licensing Authority wanted to double the numbers, are we expected to believe that this was done in the best interest of the general public over the best interest of the public purse.

You see, if the OFT were concerned about Public Service from the trade they would have also made the authorities responsible for increasing the number of ranks in prime locations and encouraged our integration into the "Public Transport" sector, this must accompany any delimitation of numbers particularly when they justify their actions by stating its in the best interest of the general Public.

Neither of the National Bodies have picked up on this, in the T&G's case I believe its for political reasons and, as a member, I am demanding that OUR council is brought to task whatever the political implications. With regard the NPHA, all we can assume is that as it will not directly benefit their spokesman the whole association has no comment other than to send a response direct to the DoT.

Madness, sheer madness.

B. Lucky

Well Mick,

the trouble is you look at things one sided, and assume everyone has the same ends, they have not.

You may look, more revenue more revenue but local authorities dont.

on monday our authority took a number of measures that will reduce the licensing stock, ie stiff driver tests, and did so with a braying mob from our trade.screaming down thier necks.

and a number of measures like re testing if drivers continue to get into trouble.

not popular, and it will shrink our trade.

if only you had the courage to advocate this.

If a council's expenses are going to drop following de-limitation via less enforcement needed and less admin staff, then that should lead to a smaller license fee.

If it doesn't then we all need to do something about it, and ask why.

Come next year we will have the new 'Freedom of Information' Act, which should allow all license fee payers the option of examining the budgets in fine detail.

No more should we get the mushroom treatment.

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IDFIMH

Regarding the point raised about no national body mentioning councils providing cab ranks, they shouldnt need to. Local Associations should already be part of Local Transport Committees as part of the government Local Transport Plan initiative.

But if your a disorganised rabble, who constantly argue amonst yourselves, well like the cab trade really, we'll get continually [edited by admin] on by those in power.

The issue around de-limitation is not the increased numbers of plates, it the standards the trade can get locally to ensure those who come into the trade are an improvement on what we have now.

As for the guy from the NPHA, he's entitled to his view (and doesnt he tell us!), but he should remember he has to act for the majority opinion of his body, sometimes this will conflict with his own view, if he cant do this he should ensure that he states its not the opinion of those he puports to represent.

Personally, the problem with the NHPA is that they are trying to encorage both trades into it, there are always therefore bound to be conflicts of interest.

Mick

Very interesting point you raise about Council's profiting from our trade.

I wonder how a fee comparison between restricted and unrestricted areas.

Certainly the resticted areas near to me have far bigger 'Taxi Departments' then the unrestricted ones.

We use to have our Administrators sharing taxi licensing with Cemetries and Burials!

A couple of years back I saw a document that stated our council would be better off by 56K through Taxi Licencing, the only other activity to give them a return? Cess Pit clearance.

Captain Cab, why do you refer to 'both trades'? Ok I know the answer and I think it is misconceived of you. The hire or reward industry has some many different playing fields in this country that we cannot (IMHO) look on it as simply two trades!

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A member of the Hire or Reward Industry

Tom,

I refer to the two trades because I think that there is a common misconception by (us) in the hackney trade that think all private hire want to be hackneys.

The probable results of the OFT will lead to more hackneys, most of which will come from the private hire sector.

Dont have a particular problem with it, and I am quite looking forward to seeing all those faces when they see their little windfalls disappear down the bowl. As I said before its these people that have kept the trade back and stopped it developing.

There will still be a private hire sector, but I would have thought that would be mainly the executive and speciality part that will almost certainly not want all the restrictions that a hackney would be expected to face.

When all this does take place, I will accept your point that my view is misconceived, until that day, i'm right!

regards

CC

you can now see any bill, doccument or financial reccord, what you cannot do, is have a roving commission to demand to weed through all.

get in touch with external auditors.

I asked the licensing to see the budget and spending and I said I would get in touch with external auditors, the councils legal officer phoned me at home, and asked exactly what I wanted and invited me down so simple.

Yorkie, it's nice to see you back on TDO.

Where have you been all this time?

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IDFIMH