Taxi Driver Online

Rules being flouted says cabby

CAR wars have broken out in Lancaster after a cabby accused rival taxi drivers of not playing fair over fares.

Ian Clarke, a private hire driver with Coastal Taxis, says some hackney cab drivers are breaking the law by 'poaching' customers from unauthorised areas in Lancaster city centre.

And following numerous complaints about hackney drivers taking business away from private hire drivers, Lancaster City Council has promised a full investigation.

Ian said the biggest problem is on Marton Street, where some hackney drivers have illegally collected fares outside The Lounge bar.

"This has been going on for about two years now and has become more common now The Lounge has received a late licence," said Ian.

"Marton Street is an 'access-only' street. But on Friday and Saturday nights, some hackney drivers are parking there in the disabled bay to pick up outside The Lounge.

"The agreement is that (these taxis) should be on a designated taxi rank. But they want the best of both worlds."

To ensure fairness, hackney cab drivers are meant to pick up customers from these designated ranks such as Lancaster bus station and the Arndale Centre but they can also take private hire fares and be 'flagged down' while driving.

Private hire drivers usually gain their custom only from 'booked fares' – ie customers telephoning or visiting taxi offices to ask for a cab.

A spokesperson for the city council said: "We have had complaints regarding certain drivers of hackney carriage vehicles allegedly plying for hire unlawfully outside the Lounge in Marton Street and in other areas not designated as hackney carriage ranks.

"Letters have been sent to the proprietors of the vehicles, warning them of the possible consequences of such breaches of the taxi legislation.

"We are also aware of other problems associated with the availability of parking places for hackney carriages and private hire vehicles in the city centre generally.

"This has prompted a review of the situation, which is being carried out in consultation with Lancashire County Council as the highways authority, the police and trade representatives."

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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 this is a problem that is escalating all over the country.I know the problem between private hire and hacks is getting worse in Dundee.Does anyone have a solution. I do not think deregulation is the solution as Dundee has been deregulated for a few years now.

They just need a rank outside the lounge. That's what they did here. That causes it's own problems though because it's always over ranked

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

Unfortunately asking for ranks is one thing....getting them is quite another.

CC

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

They obviously haven't got a council that wants only HC available. I'm surprised our council haven't got swollen lips with all the ar$e kissin they do

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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 understand the private hire office is a minutes walk from the club and there is a cab rank facing the private hire office. I would like to get the hackney view on whats taking place. I suspect it might be that private hire vehicles are also ranking up there, perhaps not the firm in question but that is neither here nor there. I've got a simple solution, put a night rank there between the hours of 7pm and 6 am.

Regards

JD

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Copyright notice © The contents of this post are copyright of JD and are not to be reproduced outside of TDO without written permission.

I think thats probably a good idea.

CC

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

Did I not just say that

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

Did I not just say that [/quote]

If you were it was quite cryptic

CC

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

If you were it was quite cryptic

CC[/quote]

How is that cryptic

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

Ok my fault....I didnt point to the specific bit JD stated, which was;



CC

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

If the PH are on their base would that be considered ranking up?

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

Is the parking there off street?

CC

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

I don't know but if it isn't is it ranking up?

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

I'd say yes.....but doubtless some will disagree

CC

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