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Taxifast Appeal Date, Plymouth
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Author:  Drives [ Sun Feb 05, 2006 3:48 pm ]
Post subject:  Taxifast Appeal Date, Plymouth
Hi, I don't suppose anyone knows when John Priest is back in court vs Plymouth City Council do they, or how I can find out?

Cheers
Drives.
Author:  Tom Thumb [ Sun Feb 05, 2006 6:23 pm ]
Post subject: 
The correct name will help.

John Preece.
Author:  Drives [ Sun Feb 05, 2006 6:31 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks for that Tom, really not relevant to the date though is it.
Author:  Stinky Pete [ Sun Feb 05, 2006 8:04 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Taxifast Appeal Date, Plymouth
Drives wrote:
Hi, I don't suppose anyone knows when John Priest is back in court vs Plymouth City Council do they, or how I can find out?

Cheers
Drives.


Just of interest, is Taxifast something to do with, or was with the dreaded Taxibank which was going to take over all Rail stns???
Author:  JD [ Sun Feb 05, 2006 8:13 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Taxifast Appeal Date, Plymouth
Drives wrote:
Hi, I don't suppose anyone knows when John Priest is back in court vs Plymouth City Council do they, or how I can find out?

Cheers
Drives.


The case is listed for this week.

Regards

JD
Author:  JD [ Sun Feb 05, 2006 8:14 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Taxifast Appeal Date, Plymouth
Stinky Pete wrote:
Drives wrote:
Hi, I don't suppose anyone knows when John Priest is back in court vs Plymouth City Council do they, or how I can find out?

Cheers
Drives.


Just of interest, is Taxifast something to do with, or was with the dreaded Taxibank which was going to take over all Rail stns???


Taxifast is Plymouth Private hire company.

Regards

JD
Author:  Sussex [ Sun Feb 05, 2006 8:41 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Taxifast Appeal Date, Plymouth
JD wrote:
The case is listed for this week.

Should be a tad interesting. :roll: :roll:
Author:  JD [ Sun Feb 05, 2006 8:45 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Taxifast Appeal Date, Plymouth
Sussex wrote:
JD wrote:
The case is listed for this week.

Should be a tad interesting. :roll: :roll:


Yes it should but don't you get the feeling one of two things might happen?

If the Council lose they might well appeal or remove numbers completely.

If Mr Preece loses he will most definately appeal.

So we have appeal, remove numbers, or the Council may just grant the thirty licenses.

Interesting month ahead.

Regards

JD
Author:  Sussex [ Sun Feb 05, 2006 9:04 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Taxifast Appeal Date, Plymouth
JD wrote:
Yes it should but don't you get the feeling one of two things might happen?

If the Council lose they might well appeal or remove numbers completely.

If Mr Preece loses he will most definately appeal.

So we have appeal, remove numbers, or the Council may just grant the thirty licenses.

Interesting month ahead.

From a selfish point of view I hope whoever wins it goes to appeal. [-o<

The crazy thing is that there are thousands of taxi plate-holders in restricted areas that should be praying that Mr Preece wins his thirty plates.

But the thicko's don't know it. :-$
Author:  JD [ Sun Feb 05, 2006 10:11 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Taxifast Appeal Date, Plymouth
Sussex wrote:
JD wrote:
Yes it should but don't you get the feeling one of two things might happen?

If the Council lose they might well appeal or remove numbers completely.

If Mr Preece loses he will most definately appeal.

So we have appeal, remove numbers, or the Council may just grant the thirty licenses.

Interesting month ahead.

From a selfish point of view I hope whoever wins it goes to appeal. [-o<

The crazy thing is that there are thousands of taxi plate-holders in restricted areas that should be praying that Mr Preece wins his thirty plates.

But the thicko's don't know it. :-$



That's right lol. Appeal in this case would no doubt once and for all settle the misconception of the time frame of a survey, an appeal might also conclude the validity of a survey or even the narrowness of a survey as against surveying the area as a whole and not just the few taxi ranks that might be available in certain strategic places? There are other points this case would raise at appeal, which would be just as damaging to those persons advocating a policy of restriction.

The Government guidance will also be tested and we shall see what weight the court places on that?

There is also the decision of the Scottish court on surveys, it will be interesting to see what weight is also placed on that?

Overall I think this is a week that the Taxi trade should be extremely apprehensive. It proves what a shower the leaders of these national and local organisations really are because not one of them has informed the trade at large of the potential consequences this case could have on restricting numbers? All except TDO.

I expect those 71 councils who restrict numbers and the 27 councils who have yet to decide on future policy will be watching this case with interest. Not to mention the DfT and OFT?

Regards

JD
Author:  Sussex [ Sun Feb 05, 2006 10:42 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Taxifast Appeal Date, Plymouth
JD wrote:
It proves what a shower the leaders of these national and local organisations really are because not one of them has informed the trade at large of the potential consequences this case could have on restricting numbers? All except TDO.

A cynic might say that the reasons they have kept their traps shut is a) they know f*** all about f*** all, and b) they are desperately trying to sell their plates. :shock:
Author:  JD [ Mon Feb 06, 2006 11:44 am ]
Post subject: 
Presiding over the case is Recorder Jonathan Paul Fuller QC. The case opens this afternoon for readings, with the real action starting tomorrow.

Regards

JD
Author:  steveo [ Mon Feb 06, 2006 2:19 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Taxifast Appeal Date, Plymouth
Stinky Pete wrote:

Just of interest, is Taxifast something to do with, or was with the dreaded Taxibank which was going to take over all Rail stns???


the Taxibank national phone number come to the Taxifast office in Plymouth.
Author:  Guest [ Mon Feb 06, 2006 6:39 pm ]
Post subject: 
JD wrote:
The case opens this afternoon for readings

im all right for that one.
its the spellings i cant musrter. :lol:
Author:  steveo [ Wed Feb 08, 2006 2:16 pm ]
Post subject: 
todays news:

http://makeashorterlink.com/?L55D12A9C

TAXI BOSS FIGHTS FOR BLACK CABS

12:00 - 08 February 2006

Taxi mogul John Preece, has launched a court battle against Plymouth City Council which could result in the city's black cab limit being scrapped - hitting existing Hackney drivers and bus firms.

More than 1,000 taxi drivers, plus bus bosses and the council, are anxiously awaiting the outcome of the appeal hearing at Plymouth Crown Court this week.

If Mr Preece wins, the council is likely to have to scrap its 359-limit on Hackney carriages.

Dozens of black cabs, which can sit on ranks and be flagged down, unlike private hire vehicles, could then create competition for council-owned Citybus, which the court heard fears 'revenue extraction', and Hackney drivers worried about their businesses.

Mr Preece, boss of the private hire firm Taxifast, is appealing against the council's decision to refuse him 30 hackney licences in 2003.

The council is one of only 30 per cent of local authorities still employing controls.

In court, the authority is relying on a survey carried out last year that, it claims, showed 'no significant unmet demand' for more black cabs.

The court, with a public gallery filled with Hackney and private hire trade people, heard that under the Transport Act 1985 if the council is not so satisfied it cannot refuse to grant licences.

It also heard there is a waiting list of 188 drivers wanting black cab licences.

The hearing, before Mr Recorder Jonathan Fuller QC, sitting with two magistrates, is expected to last into next week.

The respondent, Plymouth City Council, yesterday called civil engineer Paul McKee, of consultants Transport Planning (International) Ltd.

Mr McKee, questioned by the council's barrister James Findlay, outlined how TPi was paid £20,000 to carry out its survey in January and February last year, with observation of 44 Hackney ranks, for a total of 775 hours. Observers noted vehicles, customers, and waiting times.

The test for significant unmet demand is based on whether passengers have to wait for a taxi. A complicated mathematical formula is used to reveal this from survey findings.

The TPi report revealed there were excess taxis for 11.4 per cent of the time, and excess people for 4.5 per cent of the time.

Mr McKee said: "Eighty-four per cent of the time there was equilibrium - enough Hackneys for the passengers."

He said that of the 44 rank observations, 17 showed 'passenger and cab activity but no passenger delay'. Nine observations showed no passengers or cabs turned up, but at 11 ranks there were passenger delays of less than a minute, and in seven there were delays of more than a minute, the longest more than six minutes.

In addition, 1,000 on-street interviews about taxi usage were carried out in Plymouth. Of these about a quarter said delimiting would benefit them, but a similar number said it wouldn't. Also, 150 questionnaires were received from disabled people.

Plymouth Licensed Taxi Association made an application to the judge to be party to the proceedings, on Monday, but this was refused. In court, the recorder said this was because the association's arguments were contained in a letter of representation, part of the TPi survey.

The court heard Plymouth's LTA, backed by the TGWU, said that it was 'rare' for passengers to have to wait for taxis and removing the limit would be 'detrimental' for reasons including 'public safety', 'stability providing confidence', increase in part-time drivers and because business would be affected.

Letters were also received from Citybus, Plymouth City Council, users including Plymouth College of Further Education, and the police.

Stage Coach Devon perceived 'no need to increase' black cabs, Plymouth Taxis Ltd said delimiting would cause congestion, and two private hire drivers, and a 'representative', said there were enough taxis already. The hearing continues today when Mr McKee is expected to face questions from Taxifast's barrister.
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