Taxi Driver Online

11 Feb 2008

City's taxi quota set to increase

Changes to taxi services in Stoke-on- Trent have been introduced despite
efforts from cab drivers to delay them.

The limit on the number of Hackney Carriages and private taxis has been
lifted and there will be more ranks and improvements for disabled
passengers.

But drivers said there was not enough trade and wanted any changes to
be phased in. They have failed to get an injunction to delay the decision.

The city council said change was needed and the fleet would be "greener".

There are currently 87 taxi drivers in the city which is set to rise following
de-regulation on Monday.

European Standard

The cost of a licence will rise to £230 in April from the current price of £60.

Drivers have also said new night buses have had an impact on trade.

Councillor Joy Garner, chair of the Licensing Committee, told BBC News
that currently, there are fewer than 10 vehicles that can carry disabled
passengers.

"Of the whole fleets across the city, there are only six or eight vehicles
which disabled people can get into anyway," she said.

"The fact that we have to have new European Standard vehicles means, if
anybody - in a wheelchair or with sticks - hails them down in the street...
they should be able to get into that vehicle."

Source: BBC News

With over a 1000 PH, I imagine that might well happen.

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IDFIMH

De-restriction not De-regulation !

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taxicabs_around_the_world

No its deregulation.

No-one seems to have picked up on the rise in fee's ................. from £60 to £230 an increase in over 300%.

This is a complete joke ................. and some people have the shortsightedness to applaud this council, and others like them for neglecting their responsibilities for increased profits.

Get the District Auditor involved staight away .............. they are only legally allowed to set their fees at a level which covers their costs.

FFS

B. Lucky

_________________
"Here's a simple solution. If you don't want to pay more for a premium service then wait in the queue, problem solved".
Skull on TDO

TF pi$$ed on his chips.

So they are getting rid of all driver and vehicle standards?

_________________
IDFIMH

Their words Suspect my old mate ........... their words.

Pick on whats important to you and care not a jot about further implications.

Strange that you claim to be pro-driver ................... strange that you detest driver exploitation ................ strange that your hapy to allow a greater than 300% rise in fees pass by without comment.

These councils deregulate to steal more money from the trade to pay for things they haven't got the guts to ask the general public for ...................... and your supporting them.

B. Lucky

_________________
"Here's a simple solution. If you don't want to pay more for a premium service then wait in the queue, problem solved".
Skull on TDO

TF pi$$ed on his chips.

and before you start ........... yes I do believe that they should remain in control ....... I do believe they are best placed ......................... BUT they need to remain accountable for their decisions and the democratic structure we all live in and enjoy should mean that they consider more than drivers greed and envy as well as their own greed when forming policies that have a more far reaching implication than some people getting for free something that someone else has had to work dam hard for.

B. Lucky

_________________
"Here's a simple solution. If you don't want to pay more for a premium service then wait in the queue, problem solved".
Skull on TDO

TF pi$$ed on his chips.

Councils know best.

_________________
IDFIMH

Your answer was pre-empted ................... your lack of condemnation expected.

As long as they deregulate they are the good guys.

B. Lucky

_________________
"Here's a simple solution. If you don't want to pay more for a premium service then wait in the queue, problem solved".
Skull on TDO

TF pi$$ed on his chips.

Better of two evils IMO.

_________________
IDFIMH

So an increase of 300% in fees is seen as a victory.

Dunno what the price of plates was in Stoke, but, if Stoke is like most other areas, and the fees for HC licenses is the same as fees for PH ................. then I'm sure there is a signifigant number of PH drivers who would much prefer to have maintained the old policy ............. and the old fees.

Policy decisions for the minority I would assume, and without any evidence that deregulation will see any improvement in services to the public.

Still I'm sure everyone in Stoke is happy that your happy.

B. Lucky

_________________
"Here's a simple solution. If you don't want to pay more for a premium service then wait in the queue, problem solved".
Skull on TDO

TF pi$$ed on his chips.

Well I wouldn't say everyone, I mean the 87 hackney owners wont be too pleased. Of course it may not be 87 as some will have several plates, and of course then there's the butcher, the baker, and the candlestick maker who buy and rent out plates, that lot are defo not happy.

But I'm a bit more concerned about the other 900+ drivers who now have a chance of getting a plate at a price of £200 rather than £20/30/40,000.

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IDFIMH

So what about the 900+ drivers who have to spend 300% more on their fees.

I think you might well find that the majority of PH drivers will remain as PH drivers .................. my point ................ which as usual your failing to acknowledge ................. is that if the councils policy wasn't called to review it is more than probable that the fees would have remained the same.

The simple fact remains ................... that the review of policy Stoke have undertaken has lead to policies that will adversely effect every single driver licensed by that authority.

But hey .................. they shouldn't mind that ................. they should only be happy that the TDO boys have another council to add to their list of councils who choose to neglect their responsibilities.

Congratulations TDO.

B. Lucky

_________________
"Here's a simple solution. If you don't want to pay more for a premium service then wait in the queue, problem solved".
Skull on TDO

TF pi$$ed on his chips.

How many of the 87 hackney owners got their plates for free.

How many of the 87 hackney owners rent out their vehicles.

How many of the 87 hackney owners drive their own vehicles.

How many of the 87 hackney owners re-mortgaged their properties to escape the crippling radio rents charged by PH operators.

These are only 4 of the questions you don't care about the answer to.

I prefer to be fair .................... and look at the implications .................... but others just think they are right and know whats best for people they have never met or have any knowledge of.

Oh yeah ................... and where is all that extra money going.

Come on me auld pal .................... where do you stand on the increase in fees???????????????????????????????????????


B. Lucky

_________________
"Here's a simple solution. If you don't want to pay more for a premium service then wait in the queue, problem solved".
Skull on TDO

TF pi$$ed on his chips.

I suggest they get off their rears and fight the increases, but I can tell you this for nothing, they wont.

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IDFIMH