Taxi Driver Online

No more 'A to B without the Q' as London bans motorbike taxis

They are billed as a way to get from "A to B without the Q". But motorcycle taxis, beloved of high-flying executives and time-pressed celebrities, are to be banned in London because Ken Livingstone believes they are dangerous.

Renowned for their ability to weave in and out of traffic, such taxis appeared in the capital a decade ago and now have a cult following - users have included the architect Richard Rogers, the broadcasters Jon Snow and Trevor Phillips, and the chairman of HSBC, Sir John Bond.

An initiative by the capital's mayor includes a little-noticed clause which says a private hire vehicle should have "four wheels"; this will outlaw motorcycle taxis at the end of March.

One company facing closure is Virgin Limobikes, which runs nine Yamaha FJR1300s. Its managing director, Ceri Mort, said all bikes had special backrests to take passengers, and their drivers each had at least 10 years' experience.

"There's a complete lack of understanding of what we're about," said Mr Mort, who charges up to £70 for the journey from central London to Heathrow. He complained the measure was ill-considered, saying companies like his were being targeted when someone with a criminal record could get a job as an unlicensed minicab driver in two minutes.

Other operators include Addison Lee Taxi Bikes, Passenger Bikes, and London Executive. Customers have included the Duchess of Devonshire, who once needed urgent treatment from a hairdresser.

In 2003 Tony Blair's doctor was summoned to Downing Street on a motorcycle taxi when the prime minister had stomach pains.

The Motorcycle Industry Association has accused Mr Livingstone of being "bikeist". It points out that not a single person has been killed or seriously injured on a motorcyle taxi in the capital, and that they have been used across the continent for many years.

Transport for London's Public Carriage Office yesterday pointed out that in a consultation on minicab licensing sent to 4,000 people only one had raised concerns about motorcycle taxis.

A TfL spokeswoman said: "The purpose of private hire licensing is to ensure the safety of passengers. We're not convinced that motorcycle taxis are safe."

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IDFIMH

So does this mean that the PCO is disagreeing with Ken in public?

Am I reading this correctly?

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Taxi Driver Online
www.taxi-driver.co.uk

Methinks the ban has come a little bit too late.

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IDFIMH

the London cab trade would win my undying love if they would run over that b*****d!

hehe

Captain cab

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

WHAT SEVENTY POUNDS?! Yes there's a lack of understanding, Dick Turpin died years ago, no more 'taxy' bikes, still never mind, lifes a bitch.

AARGGH, they're NOT Taxi's.

This is a prime example of the the baffonery that run's the London trade. You could'nt make it up, but rest assured TFL will.

Can't see the problem with the bikes. Customers know full well what they are getting, and must want that service or they wouldn't order one.

I would also like to know how the Mayor thinks they were 'fit and proper' last year, but not now?

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IDFIMH

Just for a moment, I closed my eyes, repeated the above, and got this weird image of a minicab driver, Giffen, yes that was it someone giffen .... hmm no the image has gone, soon maybe.

We should have a sister site, minicab drivers online, it could be in Nigerian, Kosovan etc etc. All the best places to tout, carry out indecent assaults, downloadable Insurance documents, what think you admin staff? possible?

Must admit that I hardly ever see one? Can't be a big problem Can it?

No its not a great problem at all, but £70 is, what a rip off, and this is from the 'industry' that tells their customer base how much better value for money they are than the Taxi trade.

Still nice to see since minicab driver licensing started droves of them have been leaving the industry, a small matter of disclosing previous covictions, of course these people are now swelling the numbers of Illegal (and legal) minicabs touting around London.

Give me power for a week, and a few charter flights . . . .

No, Ken Livingstone has sorted that out, no one without a PH license can work for a minicab firm, ALL PH drivers are now Licensed in London.

Sorry, what was that? There are loads still working and not letting on? No you must be mistaken, I simply won't believe that. Hang on, what if it is a full moon? . . . . .

I don't think Red Ken realises that national PH laws allow any licensed PH to work anywhere in the country.

Thus he can ban as many as he likes in London, but it will make no difference at all. All they have to do is get Bristol or Leeds licenses (both license PH motor bikes), and they can work London to their hearts content.

And if they have long contracts with their clients, they wont even need a license in the first place.

But of course Red Ken and the PCO know that already.

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IDFIMH

Doesn't the job have to start or finish within it's licensing area??

You keep on trying to protect your closed shop. Are you racist? Is that a good qualification for a Black Cab driver. Once the Private Hire legislation starts to bite in London and the small companies continue to be taken over at the rate they are by larger professionally run companies you will be out with the washing but I think you already know that!

Ahh, another failed knowledge candidate who has to tout the streets.

No my blobby friend its not a racist statement, its factual, ALL the touts i see at work, and hear are from the former Eastern European states, or Africa, most of whom probably are asylum seekers who are not allowed to work, otherwise they could apply and become a real minicab driver.
I guess your a lefty, sorry to wake you up from your beenbag, but people in this country can still have views and opinions, and use them, especially when thay are factual.

Tell you what, heres a little challenge, hail a Licensed London Taxi, which is being driven by a Black or Asian driver, and there are lots, and then ask them what they think of the minicab trade. Then you will know what racist language sounds like.

The Taxi trade will NEVER be taken over by the minicab trade, and I think YOU know that.

Minicab driving in London is not a career, its a job until something better comes along.

Ask Addison Lee what their turnover rate is? I think it may surprise you.

The vast majority of Licensed Taxi drivers do it for a lifetime career.

Your quote was around in the sixties and seventies when the likes of carline sprung up, have they taken over the trade, emm NO.

Anyway keep trying on the knowledge, success comes to those who show commiment.