Taxi Driver Online

Cabbies driven out of industry by 'worst ever' festive period


TAXI drivers in the Capital are turning their backs on the trade as the effects of the credit crunch and the "worst ever" festive period take hold.
Cabbies say their takings are falling as more people tighten their belts and opt for other forms of transport.

Hogmanay is said to have been particularly difficult, with a higher than normal number of drivers chasing a dwindling number of fares.

Trade representatives say they have seen a significant rise in drivers approaching them for a reference so they can leave and look for employment elsewhere.

Murray Fleming, secretary of Central Radio Cabs, said: "There's no question that it was the worst New Year period I have experienced and that has been the feedback we're getting from drivers as well.

"We've seen a significant rise in cabbies looking for references. I've never known as many guys looking to get out of the industry."

Cab drivers say the continuing economic slowdown has led to valuable corporate contracts being scaled back. There are also worries about how the eight-month closure of Princes Street for tram works will affect business.

Raymond Davidson, secretary of the Edinburgh Taxi Association, said: "There's no two ways about it – journeys are not being made. We've seen the banks cutting back on the number of taxi journeys their staff take. People are walking to meetings when in the past they would have just jumped in a taxi."

It is understood a number of cabbies are retraining as bus drivers, while others who have passed the city's taxi examination are choosing not to take up work.

The last few months have also seen drivers attempting to save fuel by sticking to the ranks, rather than cruising the streets looking for fares.

Taxi fares in the Capital were raised by seven per cent recently to help struggling cabbies overcome the effects of previously high fuel prices and the loss of business caused by the tram works.

The increase, which was the first since 2006, saw a £5 fare rise to £5.35

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

Now if I was in the Edinburgh cab trade I would be dancing a jig at the prospect of loads of drivers leaving the trade.

But then the bosses don't want to lose their slaves, do they?

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IDFIMH

I can think of two which wouldnt be missed

CC

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

Maybe that's why the rest are off.

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IDFIMH

I bumped into a driver in the Slateford Garage, driving for one of our Premier Radio Companies, he was, mightily pis*ed off about his rental - £300 big ones for for 6 days, day shift no less.

His words went something like this - he can (the owner) stick his taxi and radio up his ar*e. I would rather sign on and work weekends.

I don't know what got into him, I just happened to mention how quiet it was

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All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others.
George Orwell, "Animal Farm"

If you check the Edinburgh Evening News, you might see an advertisement for a City Cabs Radio position for Sale. What's so usual about that you may ask? It's been up for sale for the last two months and no takers. The guy who owns it is still paying the radio dues and can't get rid of it, even for a couple of grand.


Now I wonder how much a plate is worth

_________________
All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others.
George Orwell, "Animal Farm"

I spoke to a guy who's owner wanted to put up his rental due to the 7% fare rise desperation or what . . . .

_________________
All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others.
George Orwell, "Animal Farm"

Just to cure my ignorance as I'm not sure about this but I always thought that you couldn't actually sell a plate because it belongs to the LA but you could sell the cab with the plate on it. Would you be so kind and explain what is right and wrong about what I think.

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

The plate always belongs to the LA but they allow it to be incorporated into a an LLP or PLC, that way you can change directors. The plate is then operated through the company name and not that of the individual. One director drops off another jumps on and hey presto ... you've sold your company.

This is why drivers are so important. The larger the labour pool the greater the competition for a limited number of shifts. This in turn hikes rentals and artificial plate values.

In short, once you've bought in, you need another mug to buy you out, preferably before there's an increase in plates or the council de-restricts the market all together.

The whole thing is really just a con.

I doubt very much what goes on is legal but until it's challenged we'll never know.

_________________
All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others.
George Orwell, "Animal Farm"

Oh and btw, this is why a lot of new owners find themselves up shi* creek without a paddle. Some of these dafties have secured their 50K plate loan against the collateral in their property, which is of course owned by the mortgage company anyway. Now that credit has dried up and house prices are falling the bubbles burst.

_________________
All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others.
George Orwell, "Animal Farm"

Thanks skull

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

My last five shifts have been bloody awful. I'm now think of selling razorblades, plastic hose, and rope to the guys sitting on the ranks. I think I would make more money promoting assisted suicides.

I shi* you not, it's that bad. I think the Edinburgh taxi trade has finally caught up with you guys down south.


I can't help but laugh at this 7% rise though, it make all the difference

_________________
All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others.
George Orwell, "Animal Farm"

Do you offer free demonstrations

CC

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

I would normally ask for audience participation, only I think I would be probably get killed in the crush.

_________________
All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others.
George Orwell, "Animal Farm"

Snap this week has been bad lots of guys either just making there rentals or not in some cases but let’s not kid ourselves on we knew this week and year was going to be poor you just have to get your head down and get on with it as we are not the only trade to be suffering a down turn right now.
Can anyone tell me who the hell Raymond Davidson, secretary of the Edinburgh Taxi Association is never seen nor heard of him never even head of the Edinburgh taxi association its a bit like the Edinburgh private hire association speaks for the trade it so called represents but it never consults the people who are out there doing the job. Been in this game for a while now and have never been approached by any association to ask my views or what i think needs to be done to make the job better and its not as if it hard to get hold of owners/drivers details from the council