Taxi Driver Online

Cabbies’ mixed views on deregulation moves

From the archive, first published Wednesday 11th Jul 2007.

A £9.5 MILLION taxi battle is raging in York, over the possible deregulation of the industry.

Licences have become so sought after that they are now changing hands for £60,000 each.

But City of York Council is under pressure from the Government to remove restrictions on the number available - meaning hundreds more taxis could hit the streets, and existing drivers could lose a fortune.

Stuart Robertson, vice-chairman of York Taxi Association, today warned deregulation would be calamitous.

He said: "Liverpool deregulated, and their fleet went from 450 to more than 1,200. The city almost ground to a halt. It was a disaster. In a city like York, we have already got more than our fair share of congestion and pollution problems."

York is among a minority of councils which caps the number of licences. There are 158 licensed cars, and four horse-drawn carriages. The council has a waiting list of 144 people for hackney licences.

The Government is opposed to restrictions, which have sparked a spin-off trade in taxi plates. The council currently charges £90 for a new licence, but a council spokesperson said: "It appears that money that should be invested in the trade is going out of it. The current value of a licence is £60,000, which puts a commercial value on the entire fleet of more than £9 million."

Rented plates are believed to be fetching £250 a week, as people increasingly see taxis as a business opportunity. Several dozen licence holders do not even drive, and nearly 20 own more than one plate.

Private hire driver Richard Jackson said: "Originally all the hackney plates were given out free, but over the years they have become worth money. The hackney drivers would be disheartened if they deregulated, because they would lose money, but it's money they were not entitled to.

"It should be deregulated and we should all be the same."

But Mr Robertson said: "Of course there is a waiting list for something that is free of charge.

"That is not a logical reason to issue more licences."

He said the new drinking laws had removed late-night peaks in demand for taxis, and said deregulation would mean more private hire cars becoming hackneys and cruising the streets.

Council leader Steve Galloway said the council wanted to hear the public's views.

He said: "It's entirely up to residents and the trade to respond, and we have not made any decisions yet."

He said deregulation would help ensure higher standards in taxis, but added: "I can understand that those in the taxi trade who bought plates for large sums of money could be anxious about any change, and it's for them to articulate why regulation continues to be in the best interests of customers as well as themselves."

A detailed report will be presented to councillors for decision later this year.

"The Richard Jackson Reffered to is now the main man at YTA I wonder how many of the muppets knew this before they voted him in"

God loves a sinner that does repent

CC

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

Anyone disagree?

_________________
IDFIMH

Yes...me

CC

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

I doubt you are alone.

_________________
IDFIMH

Can't say I disagree.

IMHO I don't think de-regulation is the answer but then neither is regulation

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

Which leaves us is a tootsy style void



CC

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

I can think of worse things to be left with

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

Definitely not alone

_________________
If you find yourself in a confusing situation, simply laugh knowingly and walk away

He said deregulation would help ensure higher standards in taxis, but added: "I can understand that those in the taxi trade who bought plates for large sums of money could be anxious about any change, and it's for them to articulate why regulation continues to be in the best interests of customers as well as themselves."



WTF would deregulation ensure higher standards in taxis
Show me a deregulated area and I'll show you a load of crappy single tracked cabs

_________________
If you find yourself in a confusing situation, simply laugh knowingly and walk away

I come from a deregulated area and we have quite high standards....especially now the council brought in an age policy for WAV's.

But if the point you make is that in order for deregulation to work...you need a whole load of additional regulations.....deregulate by more regulations so to speak.....I agree

CC

I would agree with controlled de-reg but as you point out, to acheive the desired improvements the amount of regulation required would be 'regulative' (Is that a real word, Charles what do you think..... regulartative, regulatarative......)

_________________
If you find yourself in a confusing situation, simply laugh knowingly and walk away

I think the best we can hope for is an idea I recently stole from MrT.

Regular surveys encompassing the needs of all, and councils who actually read them and understand them. Perhaps a few licensing officers who actually give a t*ss about the taxi trade wouldnt go amiss either, rather than seeing taxis as something they gotta do.

CC

Instead of retired police officers being given the jobs as taxi inspectors, I think it would be better all round if they gave the job to an operator who has done the job for years and wants to retire, at least they would have first hand knowledge of whats required

I completely and unreservedly disagree.

CC