Taxi Driver Online

Dear members of the Taxi Driver Online Forums

I am a journalist working for Moonstone Films, an independent television production company which is currently making a number of features for Channel 4 News.

Unlike the usual news reports, which are approx 3 minutes long, Channel 4 has commissioned us to make a number of in depth reports, which depending on the issue will be up to 10 minutes long.

I am currently looking at fuel theft and the black market in fuels, such as diesel fuel. There is reportedly a growing problem of thefts of so-called “red diesel” from farmers and other agricultural businesses and anecdotal evidence that this is being offered for sale to cab drivers and other commercial vehicle drivers at so-called “huckster sites”.

Have you been offered red diesel or other black market fuels? Do you know how prevalent the trade is in the taxi cab business? I would be interested in hearing from anyone who can help me with my research. This would be a purely off the record conversation, though we are also looking for potential interviewees.

Any help that you can give me will be greatly appreciated and I look forward to hearing from you shortly

Kind regards


James Pierson
Assistant Producer
Tel: 020 7940 5573
email: jamespierson@moonstonefilms.co.uk

Been in the trade for 7 years, 4 as PH 3 as hack.

Never been offered dodgy fuel.

Wouldn't know where to get it.

Don't know of anyone that uses it.

I trust your report will be balanced.

_________________
There's no excuse for animal abuse. If you ain't vegan you are an animal abuser.

so will your bank balance if you get caught

An honest Journo?



Thanks for the offer, but no thanks.

Don't let that stop you though, just make up a pack of lies like most folks in the News trade do.

There is quite a few things you could get sorted, like councils making up there own rules to suit themselves, and refusing to recognise the DFT and OFT report that says they must derestrict under best practice, this would help any driver get a plate for fee instead of paying up to £70,000 just to work Oxford and Edinburgh refuse to listen at the moment
Then there is the governments refusal to recognise taxis as public transport and give us fuel rebates
The fact is taxi licencing should be removed from all councils and placed under the transport commissioner
Liverpool council will only allow one type of vehicle when the other types are in use all around them

i do know of a driver using veg oil during the fuel shortage a few weeks ago.

not to save money but to save time queing up on the road /forecourt.

mmmm

red diesel - it hasnt the lubrication quality of road going derv, so dont use it in new hdi/common rail engines

the chemical marker in it lasts long after the colour cant be seen

it is legal to use it IF you contact HMRC and pay the duty, and keep a copy of the paperwork in the vehicle

alternative fuel?

again, most manufacturers say avoid bio diesel over a 5% mix, not a good idea

cooking oil?.....at your risk

and why fill up with dodgy fuel having no idea what it is when theres no receipt to put through the books on any regular basis?.....