Taxi Driver Online

This is from the DfT http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/d ... #TopOfPage

Does it effect or change anything?

If it is implemented it effects a wide range of things. I mentioned the other day that there would be sweeping changes in the local bus Taxi/bus transport systems but I never thought it would be this quick. I have no doubt that the section below will happen, section 12 has been a failure and in order to get it to work the Government need to widen the scope of sec 12. The report has a wide ranging impact it will be interesting to see which Taxi associations pick up on it and how soon?

6. DfT to explore the scope for extending Section 12 of the Transport Act 1985 to cover private hire vehicles as well as hackney carriage in order to enable PHV operators obtain a Special O Licence and register local bus services.

Best wishes

JD

an 8 seater private hire vehicle can opperate local bus services now albeit not special licence but a restricted license

one such vehicle operates in our area now, however, as pointed out previously there should be no problem getting a taxi license under present legislation.

dont expect private hire to be given special restricted licenses, It wont happen.

what will happen is a redraft of section 12 to make it easier for taxi licenses to be issued for single fares, ot a guidance note issued to local authorities telling them to issue more licenses for this function.

with Mps having more and more time being bloody idle, the government will take the view that there is more ways to skin a cat

Geoff

I'm not in the business of pre judging the exact wording of future legislation but it appears you support the fact that legislative change will take place. The report specificaly states private hire vehicles should be included into section 12 of the 85 act. Thats not my words but the compilers words.

Best wishes

JD

John,
it will be a traversty of justice if it happens, I am not against anyone going down a road I believe is the future, with taxibus and satelite bus and I commend people on here to look at it.

but its a public service so should have a public license, and going down the road of taxi licensing is likely to lead to more WAVs

I have said on here time and time again this is the way its going and have recieved the most appauling abuse.

but taxi licenses for this use should be more available the growth potential is massive and I believe safer working at nights.

expect one of the experiments maybe, mine to recive wide recognition.

the report says the industry is reluctant, they are not kidding, almost luddite in trying to kill this progress.

it makes economic sense especialy at nights with driver shortage on the buses to make taxibuses available for those who want them on timed service, and save the fuel when they are not required.

ps the oft report said open the market but the government didnt, John this report may not be followed and the authors do not understand the alternative, making licenses on public hire available for single fares.

Geoff

And why is there a shortage of drivers for the buses? Because the money is SH*TE. Taxibuses aren't going to be any better paid.

Mansfield and Gateshead Taxidrivers are?

If you look at the Authors you will notice that this is basically an internal report. The Task and Finish Group was set up by the DFT to establish and identify any barriers to the development and implementation of innovative and inclusive transport solutions. It is highly unlikely that these recomendations will not be implemented as most of them don't need any form of legislation.

For those who are unsure of the way flexible local transport and DRT works perhaps this link will provide the information.

http://www.vosa.gov.uk/vosa/hgvpsvopera ... ations.htm

If anyone wishes to know what future proposals are planned then this link should be read again.

http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/d ... #TopOfPage

Best wishes

JD

So PHs will be able to pick up off the street, providing they have an O license.

Isn't this the loop hole that they tried to close a couple of years ago?

If you are referring to the proposed amendment to section 12 of the 85 act P/H won't be able to pick up off the street but they will be able to run a bus service under the Hackney Carriage special license system.

Best wishes

JD

But surely they could do that now.

The only vehicle that can obtain a special licence is a Hackney Carriage. The latest DFT report sugests P/H vehicles should be included as well.

Best wishes

John Davies

Its important to say special o licenses are for dual licensed vehicles.

when the vehicle is on bus routes, each passenger pays a fare, or fares based on each passenger, but the vehicle can revert to a taxi when you are not on a bus route.

if private hire ehicles get to go special licenses, it will be a public service vehicle during the bus route, and revert to private hire when not

the description above in public service vehicle should be taken as a description but not a legal definition, because in legal definition special o licenses are not public service vehicles.

its very complicated.