toots wrote:
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Charge the same and end the confusion.
That would suit me just fine I'd earn more, but alas it's not for me to do it's not my company I just pay to use the circuit.
If the circuit owners do not listen perhaps you should consider moving to another circuit or setting up a new one with some like minded people?
toots wrote:
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Most of these companies advertise themselves as taxi or cab companies.
Most people ringing ask for a taxi or a cab - very few ask for a private hire car.
Hardly a surprise if the public are confused. Question is who is causing the confusion?
I see your point but the problem is the word 'taxi' is quite generic really isn't it. Areoplanes taxi and so do phvs. Perhaps we should call things what they are rather than what they do and the word 'taxi' on top of a HC should be replaced with the words 'Hackney Carriage'. The public could then be informed that the only thing they can flag down is a Hackney Carriage. From a public point of view what PH provide is a taxi service and that's not to be confused with a limo service, coach service, bus service etc but will easily be confused with a taxi service provided by a HC. I'm inclined to believe it is the law that is causing the confusion
It's not a generic term here. The 1982 act defines the word "taxi" thus:
23(1) In sections 10 to 22 of this Act:-
“taxi” means a hire car which is engaged, by arrangements made in a public place between the person to be conveyed in it (or a person acting on his behalf) and its driver for a journey beginning there and then; and
“private hire car” means a hire car other than a taxi within the meaning of this subsection.
Nowhere in the 1982 Act does it refer to a "Hackney Carriage"
Perhaps after 163 years it's time for a new taxi act for E & W and the consignment to history of this archaic term. This would at least remove some confusion but certainly will not end it. After nearly 30 years here, Joe Public still doesn't quite understand the difference.
toots wrote:
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Enforcement action should be used and ignorance of the law is no defence.
Charge the same rate and the confusion re fares is ended.
Require all PH to use a meter and allow them to discount the fare as HC's do.
I agree entirely they should use enforcement action but apparently the funds for this are used to try and catch pirate hire (as it should). I also agree that ignorance of the law is no defence but taxi drivers know everything don't you know
How exactly do you make a private company set a rate? I personally wouldn't be bothered if I had to charge the same rate as HCs as I said before.
Up here the meter rates for PH are set by the council. Private companies do not decide their own rate. (Except in Edinburgh where one PH company has been granted the right to set theirs to a lower tariff by CEC)
toots wrote:
Can you tell me though as a HC driver what you provide the public with that I as PH driver doesn't
In general terms an
on the spot taxi service which doesn't need to be booked in advance and the ability to accomodate a passenger seated in their wheelchair.
Without knowing your local PH vehicle and driver licensing conditions I would only be guessing at any others.
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