Taxi Driver Online

Norwich HCs seek restricted numbers
Posted by admin on July 7th, 2009


Source: Norwich Evening News

Taxi drivers in the city have called for the city council to step in to help them - because they claim the recession has led to Norwich’s streets being flooded with wannabe cab drivers.

The drivers say over the past few months more people are turning to taxi driving in a bid to earn a living after losing their jobs in the recession.

They claim the city is becoming saturated with taxis meaning cab drivers are often waiting up to two hours before getting a single fare.

Ian Clod, 57, from Sprowston, has been a black cab driver in the city for more than 20 years.

He said: “I have never seen things as bad as they are at the moment. There are just too many taxis in the city.

“What is also happening, because day-time taxi drivers are not earning enough, they are staying on until nighttimes trying to make-up their fares, encroaching on night-time fares.

“Sometime you can be waiting hours before getting fares. What is needed is regulation by the council, because the city just has too many taxis at the moment.”

Paddy Keenaghan, 44, from Hellesdon, added: “It means cab drivers are not earning enough, they are working longer hours, in some cases 16 hours a day, and it is causing traffic congestion, with taxis fighting for spaces and more cabs are driving round, which is adding to pollution.”

In Norwich from July 2007 - 2008 there were 302 Hackney carriage vehicles licences issued and the number has increased to 326 this year.

In terms of private hire vehicles, 501 have been issued from July 2008- 2009 compared to 407 from July 2007 - 2008.

Hackney carriage licenses cost £115 a year and private hire, £98.

Ian Streeter, head of licensing at Norwich City Council, said: “We take our lead from the Department for Transport which has issued guidance to local authorities on the licensing of taxis. In that guidance the DfT believes it is best practice that quantity restrictions should not be placed on the licensing of taxis.

“This guidance is offered because when restrictions are imposed, vehicle license plates can command a premium if they are sold between two parties who enter into a private agreement over their sale.

“This indicates there are people who want to enter the taxi trade and provide a service to the public but who are being prevented from doing so by the quantity restrictions.”

*Photo shows Paddy Keenaghan and Ian Clod

Posted in Licence quotas | No Comments »

So the number of cabs has grown by 24. I bet you would be happy if that was the worst that could hit your manor.

And don't forget most of those 24 would have been drivers anyway.

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IDFIMH

Well gubber me!!

I never knew that Norwich was in Scotland!!

It's as well that I have never had a job from Brum to Norwich, 'cause I would have made my way towards Norfolk.

_________________
Kind regards,

Brummie Cabbie.

Type a message, post your news,
Disagree with other members' views;
But please, do have some decorum,
When debating on the TDO Forum.

Yes, Norwich is the new Scotland. Didn't you know? Didn't anyone tell you?

Heard it was the new North Korea.

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IDFIMH

Why is the post headed 'dereg doesnt work', tell me one area that has deregulated ? Dont you mean derestricted ?

You're being pedantic we all know what they mean

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

Because that side are generally thick.

_________________
IDFIMH

Add 24 per year for the next 5 years and you have a 50% increase, go forward ten years and it's a double fleet, so it becomes half the work shared between twice as many driver effectively leaving a 25% yeald on what a driver was earning 2 years ago.

If those plates went to existing journeymen you would have a 0% increase in supply.

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IDFIMH

Yeah, but they don't though do they.

Then councils should amend their waiting list criteria to ensure those that have had a plate don't get another one, and insist new plates only go to licensed cab drivers.

Then in an area where PH don't do a knowledge, but hacks do, the plates can only go to one set of folks.

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IDFIMH

I agree with you, but the problem is that the LG(MP) Act 1976 does not allow for this type of selection criteria.

'Fit & proper person' is the only criteria and I know you already know that.

Aaah! If only you, I & many others on this forum could re-write these laws .....

_________________
Kind regards,

Brummie Cabbie.

Type a message, post your news,
Disagree with other members' views;
But please, do have some decorum,
When debating on the TDO Forum.

surely people can influence the law makers

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

No what I mean is the uptake would come from those without any trade knowledge thinking they can bag now and profit later.