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PostPosted: Thu Nov 27, 2008 1:51 pm 
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Location: London
We must have "MUGS" written all over us!

The biggest financial downturn to hit is apon us, our work is blatantly stolen from us by touts working with inpunity on London streets and yet the powers that be feel it's right to set up this scum with their own rank and a booth in the centre of the West End to filter off more of our work, meanwhile the few cabs that can get on the going home rank on a Friday and Saturday night can just hang around a bit longer..............notice i said Friday and Saturday night because any other night of the week there is no "going home rank" and we just have to hope we catch a fare driving around.

Is this enough to get some of the drivers off their fat lazy arses or do you guys need yet more convincing that the powers that be have no interest in your future.....we really need to take action against this before it's allowed to happen in Convent Garden, Mayfair or any other location around London.


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PostPosted: Thu Nov 27, 2008 1:52 pm 
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captain cab wrote:
Prohibition of taximeters

(1) No vehicle to which a London PHV licence relates shall be equipped with a taximeter.

(2) If such a vehicle is equipped with a taximeter, the owner of that vehicle is guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.

(3) In this section “taximeter” means a device for calculating the fare to be charged in respect of any journey by reference to the distance travelled or time elapsed since the start of the journey (or a combination of both).


So now that they can rank up in some areas they will have a distinct advantage by being able to under cut all fares


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PostPosted: Thu Nov 27, 2008 1:57 pm 
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skippy41 wrote:

So now that they can rank up in some areas they will have a distinct advantage by being able to under cut all fares


Skippy, you are never, ever, ever going to get a law putting taxi meters in PH cars......it goes against the essence of PH.

CC

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PostPosted: Thu Nov 27, 2008 2:05 pm 
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captain cab wrote:
skippy41 wrote:

So now that they can rank up in some areas they will have a distinct advantage by being able to under cut all fares


Skippy, you are never, ever, ever going to get a law putting taxi meters in PH cars......it goes against the essence of PH.

CC


Why do councils in quit a few areas insist that PH owners do??????
take Edinburgh and Glasgow for instance


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PostPosted: Thu Nov 27, 2008 2:09 pm 
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skippy41 wrote:

Why do councils in quit a few areas insist that PH owners do??????
take Edinburgh and Glasgow for instance


I don't know....is that Scottish law?

I do know where your coming from, the PH on our firm all had to have meters, the firm insisted on it.

The problem I have is that PH encompasses more than the run of the mill 4 door family saloon, there's different aspects.

CC

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PostPosted: Thu Nov 27, 2008 2:13 pm 
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I think one of the problems here is terminology. Is the place where thes PHs waiting for their next job called a rank or a parking place? I doubt that it is officially called a rank.

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PostPosted: Thu Nov 27, 2008 2:16 pm 
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Posts: 266
GBC wrote:
taxiCABman wrote:
GBC regarding the toilets in horseferry road,you have obviously not read this weeks edition of the cheap holidays and days out magazine.
Congratulations to john thomas ,on his 20th.anniversary of getting cheap holidays at warners.



Thats because I haven't felt the need to work yet this week. I'll be sure to pick up a copy of Taxi tomorrow evening though, is that the same organisation that gives you the following? :

BADGESAFE SCHEME

The LTDA retains experienced barristers
with specialised knowledge of the London
cab trade. Normally when drivers
accumulate 12 points on their licence they
receive an automatic 6 month ban, but in
the case of LTDA members over 90% of
those represented by our barristers receive
a ban of just 1 month or in most cases no
ban whatsoever.


LEGAL CASE FILE

Each month our specialist legal team deals
with dozens of cases where a driver's
licence and livelihood are under threat.
Recently, a member was out shopping with
his family at a local supermarket. As he
manoeuvred his private car out of a parking
place there was a minor collision with
another vehicle, the driver of which became
very aggressive, causing our member to
defend himself before leaving the scene and
returning home.
A few days later he was woken early in the
morning by four police officers. He was
arrested and charged with assault and
criminal damage! Apparently several
"independent" witnesses had appeared out
of thin air, all of whom alleged that our
member had been the aggressor.
Fortunately, he had the full backing of the
LTDA in-house legal team, who immediately
set to work preparing statements and
gathering evidence on his behalf
Subsequently, at the trial, the LTDA barrister
was able to prove our member's version of
events and he was acquitted on all charges.
Outside the Court he stated "without the
support and backup of the LTDA, I would
have been up the creek. If I would have
needed to have got that sort of legal team
together it would have cost me an arm and
a leg, but as an LTDA member it was
absolutely free".


YOUR FUTURE

The LTDA remains the only trade body
resolutely opposed to the computerisation of
the Knowledge of London testing system.
(No to the quickie Knowledge).


INLAND REVENUE
ASSISTANCE AND ADVICE

Many drivers and accountants refer to the
LTDA for specialist advice on Inland
Revenue investigations. (Free to members).


SICKNESS AND ACCIDENT
PROTECTION

When trouble strikes it's comforting to know
that you've got the strength of the LTDA
Gold Scheme around you. (Scheme
available to members only).


LTDA HOLIDAY CLUB

Many members have saved thousands of
pounds by taking advantage of special
offers and prices (members only).


WIN £5,000 EVERY
MONTH IN THE
LTDA LOTTERY

12 big prizes every year, but you have to be
in it to win it (members only £5 per entry).


ACCESS TO ‘SIMPLY HEALTH’

Great value health care from the LTDA. The
Association pioneered this scheme in the taxi
trade and it still offers the cheapest rates.
(Special rates for LTDA members only).


HEATHROW OFFICE AND
REPRESENTATION

Call in to the LTDA office at Heathrow, first
door on the right in the canteen block.
Jimmy and the boys will give you a warm
welcome. (Open to all).


WELFARE DEPARTMENT

LTDA officers make home visits to members
who are in severe distress or with special
needs and authorise contingency payments
where appropriate.


RANKS AND HIGHWAYS
REPRESENTATION

The LTDA has negotiated taxi access to
most bus lanes and leads the way
negotiating on issues that affect you, the
licensed taxi driver.


GENERAL ADVICE

If you are new to the trade and you don't
know your `roader' from your `legal', give us
a call. We're always here to help. (Tel: 020
7286 1046 - non members are welcome to
call).


24 HOUR TOUT LINE

Seen a tout in action? Take the details and
phone them in, we will do the rest. (Tel: 020
7266 4769).


HEALTH AND SPORTS
PROMOTION

We regularly run promotions with leading
health and sports companies resulting in big
savings to members.


LEISURE DISCOUNTS

Huge savings on weekend breaks at fine
hotels and holiday centres. You will not
believe these prices! (Members only).


VEHICLE MANUFACTURERS

Continually representing members' interests
in disputes with vehicle manufacturers and
suppliers.


AUTHORITIES AND MEDIA

The LTDA is the largest and most respected
driver organisation in the trade. We lead the
way when negotiating with the Government,
GLA, PCO, TfL, Police, Mayor's Office,
Heathrow, Rail Authorities, Local Councils
and when dealing with all sections of the
media.


MEDICAL ASSISTANCE

Many cab drivers are discovering to their
cost that their licences are at risk due to the
PCO's interpretation of the new DVLA Group
2 Medical Standards. The LTDA has
successfully challenged many decisions by
the PCO to revoke members' licences on
medical grounds.


FANTASTIC VALUE

LTDA subscriptions have not increased for 8
years! It costs just 4 quid a week to join the
trade's biggest organisation and 3 quid of
that is tax deductible! (Payable monthly).



Sounds like a bit more than Holidays to me, but don't let a small thing called the truth spoil your hate of the LTDA. 8)
Everyone I've ever met who has needed help from the LTDA has felt let down by them.


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PostPosted: Thu Nov 27, 2008 2:18 pm 
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I would have had them on the top floor of a multi story car park and let them pay to get out LOL
OH and the payment cannot be passed on to the punters :D


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Thu Nov 27, 2008 2:21 pm 
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Joined: Sat Dec 25, 2004 4:28 pm
Posts: 8998
Location: London
acabbie wrote:
We must have "MUGS" written all over us!

The biggest financial downturn to hit is apon us, our work is blatantly stolen from us by touts working with inpunity on London streets and yet the powers that be feel it's right to set up this scum with their own rank and a booth in the centre of the West End to filter off more of our work, meanwhile the few cabs that can get on the going home rank on a Friday and Saturday night can just hang around a bit longer..............notice i said Friday and Saturday night because any other night of the week there is no "going home rank" and we just have to hope we catch a fare driving around.

Is this enough to get some of the drivers off their fat lazy arses or do you guys need yet more convincing that the powers that be have no interest in your future.....we really need to take action against this before it's allowed to happen in Convent Garden, Mayfair or any other location around London.


I see where your coming from Mr Acabbie.

However in fairness the going home rank is an active Taxi rank at any other time its not in use as a marshalled facility.

I understand the Minicab 'rank' will cause a great deal of uproar, but looking at MrA's photo, I don't think half a dozen Minicabs will kill the Taxi trade off in central London. I'm working through the night tonight, I know I'm going to be busy in central London after 12, in fact being pay week, I'm hoping to be very busy. [-o<

The bottom line is, as far as I can see, the operation (and there's always been Minicab offices in Leicester Square) is legal and above board, no more than any other Minicab operation in London.


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PostPosted: Thu Nov 27, 2008 2:22 pm 
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Sandy McNab wrote:

Everyone I've ever met who has needed help from the LTDA has felt let down by them.


Can you give some examples?

CC

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


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PostPosted: Thu Nov 27, 2008 2:36 pm 
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I've gone to them on a few occasions, I've never had any problem, Steve Hawes helped me a few years ago with a dispute with my old garage, would have cost me plenty in legal fees had I not been a member.

Membership of the LTDA or any other trade body for that matter is'nt compulsary, if drivers don't want to join then don't.

Simple, innit?


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PostPosted: Thu Nov 27, 2008 4:14 pm 
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Time for Action

http://www.thelondondailynews.com/time-action-p-1858.html
by John Kennedy.

If the reports by Thomas the taxi at the Anderson Shelter are true this Industry should now be in dispute with it's regulator the Public Carriage Office, Transport for London. It would appear with the blessing of TfL/PCO and the local council Westminster, mini-cab ranks have been granted at a number of venues in central London ?

Private hire is just that a private hiring, people should not be touted on the public highway by persons whilst leaving clubs or bars yet this practise has been condoned by those who regulate us and certainly not dealt with by those who allege to represent the London Taxi cab driver. For too long this industry and it's leaders have bent over backwards to accommodate the wishes of elected politicians who are hell bent on destroying our trade.

The time for action is now, we must mobilise our ranks and demand the transport authority TfL acts within the law laid down by Parliament, the Private Hire Act sought to regulate mini-cab owners, drivers and vehicles, it was never meant to be used to approve private hire ranks with the capital. The LTDA, Unite and the LCDC along with all remaining drivers must consider all options from pickets, demonstrations and maybe a injunction pending a judicial review of this present situation. I urge the Mayor of London to stop this "illegal" ranking of mini-cabs within the Metropolitan Police district. I would like to remind ALL Politicians that we are in a recession and this is a major blow to the taxi industry. I will not sit back any longer and allow my industry to be torn apart by people who have no interest whatsoever in maintaining the world's finest taxi service. Watch this space, for I and many like minded drivers will step up to the plate and deal head on with issues that those who allege to represent have failed to act upon in the past decade.

With a full blown recession heading our way those who regulate us have shown the utter contempt they hold us in, parking laws amended to accommodate private hire yet we can't even get a taxi-cab rank policed let alone appointed at any of these venues. This story poses many questions but we should let those who wish to destroy us be on notice that a recession will provide us with the time to organise a fightback like no other, for I John Joseph Kennedy will stand up to those who wish to destroy our industry.

Here follow some questions and maybe a idea or two of what action we must take next ;

TfL/PCO, if this story is true who did you consult with within the London Taxi trade ?

Did the new board of Transport for London approve these mini-cab "ranks" ?

If this story is true I urge all London Taxi-cab drivers to unite and firstly write to your MP, then the Mayor of London, then to the director of taxi-cabs and mini-cabs at Penton street.

Contact your trade organisation and demand action, they've taken your money via subscription now let them earn their wages, stand down pay.

Does the Mayor of London Boris Johnson approve of these "mini-cab ranks" ?

The time for action is nearly with us, but let us move into the most difficult of years 2009 under no illusion that this year and the subsequent action we take will define our Industry for decades to come. I urge ALL London Taxi Cab Drivers to stand shoulder to shoulder and defeat those who have decided to destroy the one mode of transport in London that works, the London Taxi-cab and its driver.

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


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PostPosted: Thu Nov 27, 2008 5:02 pm 
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Location: bucks
Lets hope this stirs a few of the "dont bother me, i'm still taking me dough" brigade :?

Probaly not :-|


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PostPosted: Thu Nov 27, 2008 5:11 pm 
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I think Mr A has put together a rather decent article.

CC

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


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PostPosted: Thu Nov 27, 2008 5:18 pm 
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The denial!

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


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