Taxi Driver Online

Yes but even the age rule wouldn't get round the fact that in some manors, drivers are having to pay double for the tools of their trade.

Through, yes you have guessed it, out-dated legislation, and from those in authority who are after the easy life.

No, and you are wrong to make this assumption. I think it is fair to say that the days of saloon cars being used as taxis are never likely to be seen in London. To my knowledge they never have been and I’m sure most taxi drivers, including myself, have no wish for this whatsoever. The WA taxi and the tendency towards providing for the less-able in the community would mean that the PCO would never be likely to give credence to any such change. The DDA has also to be considered.

In respect of freedom of choice, well …. that is a different matter. I think anyone, from what I had written, would be naïve to believe that any freedom of choice would be exponential.

What I mean in respect of ‘freedom of choice’ is for us in London to be able to chose from those vehicles already submitted by various companies to the PCO for ‘type approval’. These vehicles have been widely accepted around the country and there has been no hue and cry about their use. In future the number of manufacturers offering vehicles for licensing in London may increase. Today it is LTI/Metro or nothing! The ‘you must do what we think is good for you’ is a communist type policy in my view, and has no place in a ‘free’ society.

They alternative purpose built taxis were, as I understand it, rejected by the PCO for three main reasons, the most controversial one being not able to comply with the outdated so-called 25ft turning circle. The other two, the one-piece rear window and electrically controlled sliding doors is similarly ridiculous and, in my view, a step to backward thinking.

The alternatives were not rejected on safety grounds as surely the PCO report would have had to say so? If they were rejected on this basis can you imagine the knock-on effect around the country following them being approved and safe and ‘suitable for the purpose’ elsewhere?

The Transport Research Laboratory has reportedly stated that this turning circle restriction should be no longer applicable, yet the PCO failed to take up on this recommendation and never published the report they commissioned from TRL. Why not? It appears that they were looking for reasons NOT to pass them and have come up with things they thought they could probably get away with. Well, they haven’t. We must wait and see what the legal challenge from Allied brings. The review of the review is just the start.

In the event that the PCO maintain their position it could well be back to the Courts as I’m sure Allied have reserved the right to proceed with their legal claim after the findings of the ‘revisited’ CoF review have been announced.

I believe the conditions imposed by the PCO will no longer stand up, bearing in mind the EC regulations Allied are quoting in their challenge. Why should the PCO have such widely different views to many other licensing authorities views from other parts of the country?

As for the red herring about lost jobs; I can only say that the biggest threat to the LTI workers is not from taxi drivers in London who seek freedom of choice, (already available in many parts of the country) but appears to be from their own employers, whose aim it is to have their vehicles produced in China. An earlier attempt at this fell through - but they are still determined that this should happen. All the newer types of alternative purpose built taxis will be built in this country using a British labour force.

We in London want the freedom of choice - and what is wrong with that? - provided the vehicles chosen meet with the PCO regulations which should not be hampered by artificial impediments or outdated thinking as to what should form the basis for acceptance for a London taxi. A taxi built for the purpose.

Virtually all the arguments I’ve heard for not accepting these vehicles has been based on sheer prejudice or are puerile. The identity factor often quoted does not stand any close or sensible scrutiny.

Regards,

Cruisin’ Cabby

I feel that in the not too far distant future, all new HC will have to be wheel chair vehicles. I believe that only a few rural districts will be exempt.

Is this a good thing, no, but I can't see how the powers that be will get around it, without upsetting the disabled lobby.

Soon all buildings must be accessible, then the eyes will focus on those businesses that aren't accessible i.e. large parts of the HC trade.

Will the PH sector have to follow? Not if I have anything to do with it.

Where can I get electric sliding doors for my Merc?

_________________
There is Significant Unmet Demand for my Opinion.

if you phone up West Yorkshire Transport Executive rural section they will tell you.

you didnt expect a reply like that didyer?

Wharfie

My apologies Mr Cabby - my assumption was actually directed towards your status us a London cabby - I don't think you'd explicitly stated this, so I didn't want to be presumptious.

But I didn't state this too clearly

Dusty

I'm always a bit dubious about this - I suspect that as long as any regulatory requirement is based on rational grounds then the fact that only domestic suppliers are capable of supplying the relevant market then it's neither here nor there that european suppliers can't get in - it's open to them if they can supply a vehicle meeting the relevant spec.

However, if the turning circle was only specified so that it would keep european suppliers out then that would be a different matter - but if this was the case then there would be other grounds for challenge anyway.

Dusty

Problem is that this would perpetuate a two-tier sector, with all the division, hatred and confusion that that entails.

If a two tier sector is retained, then I hope that the two are properly separated this time.

Dusty

Yes, the only way a level playing field could be implemented would be by specifying only new vehicles.

This isn't quite as radical as it seems, since with PB taxis only new vehicles come into the trade anyway.

Of course, some are bearing the cost of a brand new vehicle, while others are taking them on several years down the line and pocketing the savings.

Dusty

fortunatly Sussex you wont, there will be no release for delivery of service to all.

are helping disabled people below your dignity?

peg leg annie>

inside that fair and equal for all exterier there is a rackiteer just fighting to get out

you realy are no better than the premium guys, just trying to tilt the pin ball machine in your favour

Annie

What on earth are you on about Wharfy, I think it's you that doesn't like level playing fields.

Dusty

no chance of that with the likes of you know who representing both trades, the edges are blured not by law but by the trades themselves

sunny Brighton is a shining example where taxi owners protecting thier racket, have the same rules for both trades roof signs the lot, to con a select band of private hire worthies that both trades are the same

so why pay £30,000 to join our taxi club.?

forgive me for expressing the views in secret but last time I was bluntly honnest I was told I was not fit to be top poster on ttf2

since then of course my audience has followed me here. INCLUSING THE TWO LEEDERS.

EIFRAHW

allied vehicles are set to meet the Edinburgh District Council soon to find out why they will not approve the E7 if they dont they will seek out a judicial review.
I quite like the look of these Cabs, six seats and and still some room for the driver, anyone had any experience of driving one of the beasts.

I think you have hit the nail on it's head.

The turning circle is not based on rational grounds, we know it, they know it, and thankfully the transport report knows it.