Taxi Driver Online

Interesting. Obviously the whole paper isn't on the website, but the tenor of what's there seems to suggest than any stretch limo not licensed by an LA is operating illegally.

But as far as I'm aware, many LAs who do not license them do not regard them as illegal, just not in need of licensing.

Interesting although about the contract hire exemption - the paper seems to suggest that the time period depends on the LA - but isn't the 7 days in the legislation?

PS This message was posted last night, but I just realised that another message was posted between mine and the message I was replying to, so it may not have made much sense. Even assuming it does now!

The firm is very probably either a bunch of cowboys rather than a chauffer-drive operation, is a crap business that would have went belly-up anyway and they're just trying to blame regulation, or the business is just talking rubbish.

I have to say that article re london licesning is hitting the spot for a large number of operators, you see this is the reality of the situation.

It has been made so difficult in London to run a legit outfit and to be profitable, the reason for this is all the illegal cowboys who do not have the overheads slashing the prices, that is why most operators have gone down the chauffeur route, that and the fact that they can not get decent drivers unless they are paying decent rates, its a circle that has no start or finish.

Minicabs in london are generally driven by drivers who do not speak english, do not know where they are going and have no conception of customer service, are unlicensed themselves and work for an operator who is also unlicensed. Calling yourself a chauffeur gives the customer the right impression, that you are not like that.

And of course have a reason to charge more than £1 per mile.

It is only the drivers described above that want to do the clubs and pubs and quite frankly they are welcolme to it.

Licensing promised touts off the road and illegal operators closed down, but there is one vital ingredient missing here which is key, the PCO have no poweres of enforcement, therefore what is the point in them targetting the illegal operators? And indeed they realise this themselves an do not waste their time.

Instead they are using the powers they do have to hassel the legal operators to the point that they are making life unbearable for some, large and small alike, they make up the regulations as they go along, and change them to suit themselves.

That's it in a nut shell, it is hard times for us all and it shows no signs of improvement.

Regards

Eric

One of the lads had a bunch of stories about these cars at the rank at teatime. They had been discussed by the council today.
Funny thing was that all of the stories have been pasted from this site.
I couldn't stop laughing.
Better whatch what I say.

It would seem we have a mole.

Which is why you are Cgull, I'm Sussex, TDO is TDO etc etc.

Oh and Nidge from Mansfield is Nigel from Mansfield.

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IDFIMH

Such a shame, now they know what it is like to be on the recieving end, exactly what they were doing to the london hackneys prior to licensing.

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live life forwards, learn it backwards

I think part of the problem in London is now that the PH firms are starting to realise that they need to look after, and keep their drivers.

That doesn't just mean having nice motors to run around in, but paying them proper money to do a proper job. Some operators now realise that, but alas they are currently being under-cut by those that don't.

However, it doesn't matter how cheap your rates are, if you haven't got any drivers, then you are ****ed.

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IDFIMH

Simple solution, crush the lot of them. We are getting over run with them in Mansfield, a lad who works the rank has got one, he paid £8,000 and after 2 weeks the head gasket went it cost him over £800 to get it back on the road, he was on about the limo trade saying he was earning over £400 per night, ok fair enough but whats he going to do when Christmas is over??? He thinks it's a all year round trade.

oh the poor dears !!

welcome to the world of licenced drivers and vehicles.

Oh yes

my heart bleeds for them ... ive heard som eph companies are paying a grand jsut to keep drivers .. welcom eto real world national insurance tax etc... they are the ones who said they want to be legal only they dont want to pay , cant have it always