Taxi Driver Online

Not enough work to go round, say taxi drivers


SOUTHAMPTON taxi drivers are preparing to fight a recommended increase in the number of taxi licence plates issued by the council.

A survey by consultants found there was evidence there needed to be more hackney carriages – those that can be pre-booked or hailed in the street and at taxi ranks.

As reported by the Daily Echo last week, Halcrow has recommended councillors increase the number from 263 to 282.

But Clive Johnson, chairman of Southampton Taxi Consultative Council and Radio Taxis, one of the largest cab firms in the city, said the recession had already cut demand for taxis.

“All it will do is put 19 more cars queuing up on the ranks,” he said.

The Southampton Hackney Association, which has about 90 members, said it would also object. However chairman Ian Hall said there could be more existing taxis on duty at night.

Perry McMillan, chairman of the Transport and General Workers’ Union cab section, said the survey was flawed as it was carried out at the wrong time, when four cruise liners were in port.

“We realise that 19 extra plates will have an affect on trade. We are hoping that Southampton City Council will understand that and common sense will prevail.”

More then 43 per cent of hackney carriage drivers who responded to a trade survey by Halcrow thought there were too many hackney carriages.

The city’s licensing panel will met on Wednesday morning. The last survey of demand for taxis in 2005 found that no additional cars were needed.

The council last issued new hackney plates in 2001 when 44 were handed out.

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

Why don't they do what all the other idiots do and get the drivers to put 1000s of pounds in a fighting fund, and then let the so-called leadership pi** it up the wall for them?

It's time drivers were told the truth, and that's if they want to object to the survey that means the council have no defence should someone want to apply for 500 plates.

In short the local trade should be jumping for joy the survey came back with only an extra 19 plates. The only other option is delimitation.

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IDFIMH

If the survey is flawed like the T&G guy says.....then I wonder if I should apply for a plate

It seems to work for the GMB

CC

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