Taxi Driver Online

Blame the gangster.

http://news.scotsman.com/scotland/Gangs ... 4564690.jp

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IDFIMH

West Lothian taxi plan is not fare

TAXI drivers are angry at plans by West Lothian Council to review its policy of limiting the numbers of taxi licences in the county.

At the moment the number of taxi licences in West Lothian is capped at 166 but councillors are considering proposals to allow unlimited numbers on the county’s roads.

West Lothian Taxi Owners’ Association says the plans could see many of its members go out of business and open the door for organised criminals to move into the West Lothian taxi trade.

Chairman Alastair Young and secretary Billy Hewit told the Courier the association doesn’t think there is any significant unmet demand for taxis in West Lothian.

The taxi drivers said that unlimited numbers of taxis on the road would have a negative impact on the environment and would congest town centres.

Billy said: “It’s a big issue and big worry for the drivers. “We can see this putting a lot of people out of business. “There are 166 taxis and nearly 300 private hire cars in West Lothian and there isn’t enough work for them which means the private hires have resorted to illegally picking up hires from the street.”

A West Lothian Council spokesman said the local authority had to review its policy on restricting the number of taxi licences after new guidance from the Scottish Government but insisted no decisions had been made yet.

He said: “We have restricted the numbers of taxi licences within West Lothian for a number of years.

“However, recent guidance from the Scottish Government (received in December 2007) states that all Licensing Authorities, which restrict the numbers of taxi licences, should regularly review their policy.

“At the Council Executive meeting on May 20 it was decided that further consultation should take place, this time involving local taxi users, to assist the council in reviewing its policy on taxi licence restriction. Our review is still ongoing and no final decisions have been made.”

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IDFIMH

The headline writer .....wow! I wonder how long it took to think that one up

CC

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

And the chance of hailing a taxi on the street in West Lothian is what, precisely?

Zilch. Nil. Nego. No possiblo. Nae chance.

As for allowing criminal elements into the trade? Does anyone believe this any longer? With 300 private hires, less regulated and unrestricted, where is it likely that such elements are going to head towards?

To the 166 licensed and restricted taxis? Get real.

300 PH shows that there has been a continued significant increased demand which has been met by PH and not taxis as it should have been.

As the legislation stands, there is no restriction possible on PH but it's growth shows that councils haven't been applying the Law properly by identifying demand levels accurately and issuing the taxi licences to meet it.

But, rather than argue for proper limits, the vested interest groups have chosen to protect their own wee vested interest at the expense of customers and those who would drive their own vehicle.

BTW The curious thing about de-restriction is the singular failure of customers to make any complaint. I had a customer who walked threee miles from the city centre, on her own, at 2 in the morning, before she hailed me. yet, she refused to countenance any prospect of making complaint to the council, despite her obvious gratitude at finally getting a taxi.

It would appear that customers now accept the poor service they get, because it's always been so and they're just used to it. And, of course, we are now a nation of cowards. No one, irrespective of the merit of their complaint, likes to put their head above the parapet. Why do I get the feeling that politicians feed on this.

Complete cr*p

CC

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

Really? And your argument is?

As ever you use 284 words where only half is needed.

I dont know (or care) where West Lowthian is, but at times of peak demand even in deregulated areas, the chances of hailing a cab are about the same.

300 PH shows what? It isn’t a demand for hackney carriages, its a demand for private hire services.

Whats needed is a survey, properly done showing latent and patent demand.

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

There is also the other argument that the PH are cheaper and thats why there numbers have gone up unless they are fitted with meters.
Then there is also the fact that most folk prefer the comfort of a saloon or MPV (Allegedly)
Right now for a lie down after agreeing with CC for the first time

CC

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

Sorry I cant reciprocate.

Even if PH have meters they can set them to whatever rate the operator wants.

West Lothian according to their website licenses a comprise of saloon vehicles (cars) and Multi-people carriers (MPV).

CC

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

Not in Scotland CC if a meter is in the PH it must be set to the councils tariff

I dont think thats a good thing....but you learn something everyday.

CC

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

I think its a good idea as it stops the PH from undercutting, well allegedly maybe but it puts everyone on a level footing, leaving the choice to the punter

Then you must be a fool.

A two to one ration PH to taxis shows nothing less than the taxi trade allowing PH to take its work. Only a fool would believe that PH and Taxis are doing the same job, servicing the same customer base. Apart from wheelchair access there is NO difference. And taxis were taxis long before wheelchair access was an issue.

PH are NOT cheaper than taxis. That's a myth which gives PH a business advantage and taxis an excuse for losing their work to them.

The ability to hail a taxi depends on availability of taxis, not whether they are restricted or not. And when people can't hail from the street, then they fone for one. And invariably that market gravitates towards PH, which is why they expand because Taxis can not. Hence the two to one ratio.

As I said Skippy42, agreeing with CC proves you must be a fool.

As for surveys, don't we all know that they are fixed. That councils commission the results to suit the answer they want?

BTW CC

Argument is made using words. Not the short stupid remarks like "crap".

Problem with the trade is that reasoned argument frightens them. because then they have to take the argument on board. And, given the parlous state of the trade generally, it's reasoned argument that lays the responsibility for the state of the trade right on their doorstep.