Taxi Driver Online

Taxi Numbers Reviewed

Wednesday 21st October 2009

The quota limiting the number of cabs on Basingstoke's roads could be altered following a review.

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council currently licenses only 55 hackney carriages, but has launched the review to find out whether this number meets demand.

Hackney carriage taxis, unlike private hire vehicles which are unrestricted in number, can be hired at ranks or hailed in the street and always display a yellow taxi sign on the roof at the front.

The review will consult taxi drivers, residents, businesses, health services, special needs and disability groups, hotels, visitor attractions, pubs and clubs.

Licensing committee vice-chairman Sven Godesen said: "It's important that we know what demand there is for services so the licensing committee can make their decisions on whether to increase, decrease or maintain the number of licenses issued."

Anyone wishing to give his or her view should visit www.basingstoke.gov.uk/go/taxis or call 01256 844844 to request a questionnaire.

The deadline for responses is Thursday, December 24.

Source; basingstokegazette.co.uk

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Brummie Cabbie.

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Taxi limit move could be 'fatal'

Friday 30th October 2009

Taxi drivers believe removing limits on the number of hackney carriages on Basingstoke’s roads could be “fatal” for their industry – and the public.

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council launched a public consultation last week on whether the existing 55 hackney carriage taxis meet demand.

Hackney carriages, unlike the approximately 300 private hire vehicles licensed in the borough, can be hired at ranks or hailed in the street and always display a yellow taxi sign on the roof.

Melvyn Leaman, chairman of the Basingstoke Hackey Carriage Federation warned that any move to deregulate the number of taxis could be disastrous for an industry struggling in the recession.

“The work is not there at the moment. It’s a dire time for taxis and private hire,” he said. “It would be fatal. And, I hate to say, it could be fatal for some members of the public.”

He said it could be fatal for the public because drivers might have to start working much longer hours or skimping on maintenance to make ends meet.

“I don’t want drivers out there trying to skimp to make ends meet, driving unsafe vehicles, which they are not at the minute,” he said. “We are proud of our standards and vehicles.”

Anyone wishing to give his or her view should visit basingstoke.gov.uk/go/taxis or call 01256 844844 to request a questionnaire.

The deadline for responses to the review is Thursday, December 24.

Source; basingstokegazette.co.uk

_________________
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.

Pr ick.

What evidence is there that proves standards in limited areas are better than standards in de-limited areas?

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IDFIMH

*bumped*

Basingstoke have now de-limited at Tuesday 23rd Nov 2010 meeting. Apparenly de-limiting was not on the agenda as a review of the outcome of the unmet demand survry (which the drivers paid for) was to see if up to 8 new licences would be issued.

A vote took place there and then and de-limit was the outcome.

I have just recently moved over to Hackney from PH and knowing the trade is already uber slow fear this is the beginning of the end.

Perhaps some kind of survey to find if the standards are better or worse should be carried out

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

Was that a recommendation from the licensing committee to the cabinet?

If de-limit wasn't on the agenda then methinks your council have abused the consultation process.

What are the local trade doing about it?

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IDFIMH

Good questions Sussex, there has been no press release yet as far as I know so I need to check the detail. We only heard through some drivers that attended some of which were not allowed to speak. Not knowing the rules on these consultations I cannot comment wholly but will endeavour to add some info very shortly.

which dim wit thinks its not detrimental to delimit ! Think about it why would it benefit anyone...

It may benefit the person wanting to own his own cab but doesnt want to give a large wad of cash to someone who maybe got the license free of charge in the first place?

But I could be being argumentative here.

CC

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

It was in the officers report to delimit!

Another one bites the dust!

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Mick Hildreth (07814 032002)
GMB PDB P39 Southern Region Branch Secretary
mick.hildreth@gmbtaxis.org.uk
www.gmbpdb.org.uk

It would benefit those folks thinking about paying £50,000 for a plate, or those who want a plate but don't have £50,000.

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IDFIMH

However now some PH drivers can break free of the spivs.

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IDFIMH

Why is the impression i'm getting here one of trade sillyness?

CC

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

That's what they thought here, now they've forked out for a WAV and are still on the same systems they thought they could do without

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

Having had a nose at the report/committee meeting a number of things come to mind.

1) WTF did the trade ask for an increase whilst this was up in the air?
2) In June/July 2010, in Basingstoke, SUD was found by Halcrow. I doubt anywhere else in the country had SUD last summer.
3) The LO has clearly researched the subject, and has nailed his colours.
4) Most applicants last time a plate was up for grabs came from existing cab drivers.
5) 22 of 464 members of the taxi trade responded to the consultation prior to the SUD survey. FFS.

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IDFIMH