| Taxi Driver Online http://www.taxi-driver.co.uk/phpBB2/ |
|
| Let's legalise touts? http://www.taxi-driver.co.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=3008 |
Page 1 of 1 |
| Author: | TDO [ Wed Dec 28, 2005 6:01 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Let's legalise touts? |
An idea from Australia, which if introduced to London, for example, would basically turn the touts into taxis during peak times. But these people will never learn - they babble on about lack of career paths, retention problems and the like, while I'll bet badges are handed out like confetti and at the same time many drivers won't be able to afford a plate. Cut-price licences may tackle taxi wait Jason Gregory 24dec05 LONG and sometimes dangerous inner-Brisbane taxi queues could be shortened by a "poor man's" taxi licence scheme to entice new drivers into the industry, according to publicans and the drivers' association. One proposal would allow private citizens to use their own vehicles as de facto taxis in times of heavy demand, and introduce cut-price permits for individuals to set up their own business as a long-term career option. Brisbane City Licensees Association spokesman Godfrey Mantle said that "there is clearly a problem with waiting times, and we need to look at other cities to find solutions". An independent survey, endorsed by the BCLA, found that 60-minute waits at some ranks at times of high demand were common – despite the new NightLink service, extending some train and bus services after midnight, easing the passenger load. Transport Minister Paul Lucas was due to inspect inner-city taxi ranks last night. Mr Mantle has suggested a voucher system, loosely based on London's "gypsy" cabs, which would provide a mechanism for prospective drivers to use their private – and roadworthy – vehicles in peak times. The drivers – who would need to pass standard tests such as criminal background and the Blue Card – would usually be taking on the role as a second job, and would be restricted to driving during set periods. Under the plan, patrons could pre-purchase their fare at an inner-city venue and be picked up outside by the driver, who would be handed the voucher on arrival and reimbursed at a later time. The patrons' safety would be monitored by registering who purchased the set price voucher – say, $20 for a trip to Indooroopilly – and who took them home. Despite intensive recruitment drives, taxi owners struggle to attract new drivers in late-night peak periods, with the widespread belief that the danger does not match the financial return. Queensland Taxi Drivers Association president Michael Powell said Sydney-style licences, leased out for $1000 a year to owner-drivers who cannot then resell them, would present an opportunity to remedy the owner/driver shortage and create a real career path. In NSW, cabbies are offered financial assistance, low-interest loans or grants to establish the business and to assist with the purchase of the vehicle, estimated at $75,000 fully set-up on the road. In 1994 a Queensland licence cost $140,000. That has now soared to $350,000. Mr Powell said the industry was gutted by poor retention and recruitment caused by a lack of basic working conditions or a career path, and the price of taxi licences "destroyed the chances for drivers who want to work for themselves". "Taxi delays are because of a shortage of drivers, not cabs, and this is causing unrealistic delays for customers," he said. Spokesman for the owners' association, the Taxi Council of Queensland, Blair Davies said the use of substitute taxis, normally restricted as exchange vehicles for those being repaired, during peak times had been beneficial, and he called for more licences. "It is a complex issue because for the majority of the week cabs spend their time waiting for customers rather than people waiting for cabs," Mr Davies said. There are nine supervised taxi ranks in inner Brisbane. |
|
| Author: | TDO [ Wed Dec 28, 2005 6:04 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Let's legalise touts? |
TDO wrote: Mr Mantle has suggested a voucher system, loosely based on London's "gypsy" cabs, which would provide a mechanism for prospective drivers to use their private – and roadworthy – vehicles in peak times.
I think they're confusing London with New York. 
|
|
| Author: | Sussex [ Fri Dec 30, 2005 3:38 pm ] |
| Post subject: | |
It's an interesting idea, but who decides when it's busy and when it's not?
And I'm not that sure there is a queue of folks wanting to go through the licensing proceedure just to work a few hours a week. |
|
| Author: | TDO [ Fri Dec 30, 2005 4:45 pm ] |
| Post subject: | |
Quote: It's an interesting idea, but who decides when it's busy and when it's not? They'd probably just use the periods when their are regular queues at the ranks, say Saturday and Sunday mornings, midnight to 4am or whatever. Quote: And I'm not that sure there is a queue of folks wanting to go through the licensing proceedure just to work a few hours a week.
I'm not so sure - I suppose it depends how easy they make it to run a car and how many hours they allow them to work. After all, I'm sure there's many drivers in the UK just work 5 or 6 hours a day, five nights (say) making sure they work the busiest hours. I'm also sure there are part-time plates overseas already (I'm sure I read about some in Australia) and the idea has certainly been mooted in the UK often enough. |
|
| Author: | Sussex [ Fri Dec 30, 2005 6:04 pm ] |
| Post subject: | |
TDO wrote: I'm also sure there are part-time plates overseas already (I'm sure I read about some in Australia) and the idea has certainly been mooted in the UK often enough.
If I remember rightly somewhere down in the West Country has seasonal plates. 
Not quite sure about the legality of that, but councils do know best don't they? 
|
|
| Author: | TDO [ Fri Dec 30, 2005 6:38 pm ] |
| Post subject: | |
I suppose it's little different from the WAV/saloon split, or even plate/no plate - ie one rule for one, another rule for others. But as you say, councils know best. 
|
|
| Author: | Ollie [ Sat Dec 31, 2005 9:22 pm ] |
| Post subject: | |
I think it's best to leave the late night drunks and fools to the likes of GBC and his mates. I'm more than happy taking people who like a bit of comfort and style. Ollie |
|
| Author: | GBC [ Wed Jan 04, 2006 6:33 pm ] |
| Post subject: | |
Ollie wrote: I think it's best to leave the late night drunks and fools to the likes of GBC and his mates.
I'm more than happy taking people who like a bit of comfort and style. Ollie Fools like your lot Ollie? Keep dreaming, one day you will be rich like me. Chi ching. 
|
|
| Author: | 187ums [ Sat Jan 21, 2006 1:12 pm ] |
| Post subject: | |
i got off at terminal three this morning, and i was leaving, this guy says to me "taxi boss", right inside the doorway to the real Taxi's. |
|
| Author: | GBC [ Sat Jan 21, 2006 3:03 pm ] |
| Post subject: | |
187ums wrote: i got off at terminal three this morning, and i was leaving, this guy says to me "taxi boss", right inside the doorway to the real Taxi's.
See? No one believes me, he must have been of the usual appearance, and I'll bet it was more 'taxee boss' than 'taxi boss'.
|
|
| Author: | Sussex [ Sat Jan 21, 2006 6:20 pm ] |
| Post subject: | |
greenbadgecabby wrote: See?
No one believes me, he must have been of the usual appearance, and I'll bet it was more 'taxee boss' than 'taxi boss'. What do you mean no-one believes you, why would you lie? If you are seeing iffy goings on, then the whole licensed trade needs to sort it out. That's the whole point of getting mini-cabs licensed. The problem is one of enforcement. Get that right, and your woes will be no-more. 
|
|
| Author: | Guest [ Sun Jan 22, 2006 7:28 pm ] |
| Post subject: | |
the police have asked the council down here is they will allow ph to pick up from the strret at night. 
that is legally as opposed to what happens illegally. 
|
|
| Author: | TDO [ Mon Jan 23, 2006 2:53 am ] |
| Post subject: | |
At least it would mean that the police wouldn't have to turn a blind eye
|
|
| Author: | Guest [ Tue Jan 24, 2006 9:13 pm ] |
| Post subject: | |
TDO wrote: At least it would mean that the police wouldn't have to turn a blind eye
the police dont give a stuff. they just want rid of people at the end of the night. the night buses must have double the people allowed. when there is a nastry accident the poo will hit the fan. 
|
|
| Page 1 of 1 | All times are UTC [ DST ] |
| Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group http://www.phpbb.com/ |
|