Taxi Driver Online

Taxi drivers feel 'targeted' by council

http://www.sloughobserver.co.uk/articles/1/7071
TAXI drivers in Slough have said they feel as though they are being targeted with unfair regulations enforced by the council.

Members of the Hackney Carriage Association claim that they are being forced to purchase expensive purpose-built black cabs while other drivers are given the choice to use saloon cars.

The drivers reacted to the decision made by councillors that fleets remain unchanged and that new vehicles purchased be less than five years old.

Association chairman Latif Khan said: “The coucil is using a two-tier system that favours one group of drivers over another.

"We are being put at a huge disadvantage because black cabs are a lot more expensive than saloon cars. Why should other companies be allowed a mixed fleet while we may only have black cabs?”

Cllr Fiza Matloob, licensing committe chairman, said: “The Department of Transportation is currently holding nationwide consultation to decide whether fleets should be mixed or not.

"Currently there are 103 licensed cabs in Slough, 53 purpose-built and 50 saloon, so we decided to keep that number unchanged for the benefit of passengers until the consultation comes to an end.

"Hackney Association drivers are not at a disadvantage because once they purchase the black cab it can be used for an indefinite period as long as it passes a Certificate of Compliance every six months when reaching 14 years.

"In contrast, saloon cars can only be licensed to a maximum of nine years from the date of first registration.”

Drivers from the Association have been at loggerheads with the council all year after their rank was moved from the High Street to Church Street causing them to complain that they did not have enough space and were hidden from the public.

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

They should count their blessings here all new purchases of HC's can only be 3 years old or younger.

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Note to self: Just because it pops into my head does NOT mean it should come out of my mouth!!

Perhaps the point is that they have to compete with vehicles that are cheaper to buy, run and insure?

CC

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

If the HC was cheaper to buy and cheaper to run then they would have no excuse for not replacing them every 8 years like PH have to. Although I have noticed that some areas are less strict than 8 years. It's swings and roundabouts

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Note to self: Just because it pops into my head does NOT mean it should come out of my mouth!!

I think you miss the point.

The area in the article has a mixed fleet.....saloon Hacks and WAV hacks.

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 sure what point I've missed. If you are a HC driver then surely you drive a HC. As for mixed fleets they don't come much more mixed than ours. We PH which range from saloons upto 8 seaters and we HC's of all varieties from the London type to the newer Euro, Peugout, Mercs. All our HC are WAV's and some of our PH are. From what I've read in the article they are objecting because the new regulation says that if they purchase another HC it has to be under 5 years of age.

If I do the maths lets see what happens:-

HC approx. £32,000 indifinate use so long as it meets regs

Saloon approx. £16,000 9 years max (in this case 8 years here) got to buy another one so there is another £16,000 total £32,000

Maybe I have missed the point but if that is the case please explain exactly what the point is

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Note to self: Just because it pops into my head does NOT mean it should come out of my mouth!!

Most PH will not be paying £16,000 for their cars. They will more than likely buy one that is just inside the age limit for first registration for around £5,000 and run it until it at the age limit and then buy another for around £5,000.

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Grandad,

That being the case they would have to buy cars more regular and as I said earlier it's swings & roundabouts

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Note to self: Just because it pops into my head does NOT mean it should come out of my mouth!!

If there is a max age limit on Saloons, the saloon will have a distinct advantage, you can but a saloon of around 4 to 5 years old for around 4.5 K if you look around you will find the one you want.
so if the age limit is 9 years they will have made back the money within 1 to 2 years leaving 2 years profit
insurance for a saloon will be cheaper than a purpose built.as well
The saloons could get a brand new cab on the road for £55 per week while a brand new hack would be £120 approx per week

50,000 miles @ 28 mpg = 1785.7 gallons x £5.00 (I wish) = £8928.50

50,000 miles @ 40 mpg = 1250.0 gallons x £5.00 (I wish) = £6250.00

£2678.50p saving per year.

Then consider a good number of purpose built owners have a private car whereas their saloon counterparts dont.

Then consider the costs of operating a purpose built cab.

I personally think you're miles off.

CC

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