Yorkie wrote:
john.
you suprise me.
when Hackneys were first devised there was no private hire or thoughts about having them.
its our job, and one historicaly we do well
private hire have no job at all.
I was trying to answer the question which the Guest raised about one licence for all. The point I was trying to make was the fact that the majority of councils have no restrictions on Hackney carriage numbers whatsoever, therefore many drivers already have the option of "either or".
Obviously there is no substance in the competition argument. I'm sure the guest would be the first to admit, that you can't advocate a level playing field in one respect and an uneven playing field in an other.
To say "you want one license for all" is an equality issue but to then say "you don't want hackney carriages to compete for customers" is a complete reversal of the first sentiment implied.
There was no intention on my part, to misrepresent the Hackney carriage with regard to radio work. I was trying to address the modern situation where in a great many areas for quite a long time, there have been dual radio circuits which use both Hackney carriage and Private hire vehicles.
If deregulation ever came about here in Manchester, I can foresee many new hackney carriage drivers joining one of the many current private hire radio circuits.
I think the basic argument put forward by the original poster, was done so to perhaps generate debate on an issue which is somewhat groundless. Never the less, he has every right to put forward an opinion, even though that opinion to some, may seem to be a "little off the wall".
The only point of the argument that probably holds any water is the equality of licence issue. The other two points I am sorry to say in my opinion, are perhaps a little too far removed from reality to generate a constructive deabte.
Best wishes
John Davies