Taxi Driver Online

As a company, we insist that our cars return to the rank by the shortest route on completion of a job. This keeps the distribution of work fairer and gives us a public presence on the ranks.

We are, however, considering introducing a 'stop where you drop' policy that would enable drivers to save fuel rather than spending 15p/mile returning to a rank. We would try to ensure that 'busy' zones are controlled effectively.

Are there any legal constraints to our proposals?

Any comments would be much appreciated.

As taxis are they not suppose to return to a rank to ply their trade or drive around and hope for a hail? If they stop where they drop they could be seen as plying for hire without the benefit of a rank

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

In the Model By-laws there is a common one that says cabs must return to the nearest free rank, so it could be viewed as a by-law breach if you have said by-law.

If you don't then a case could be made that your cabs are touting, as they are not plying on a rank.

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IDFIMH

Any case law/guidance available on that, Sussex?

A hack can sit and wait on any street that has no parking restrictions as long as they are not in sight of a rank

Or available for hire.

CC

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

Can't have them stealing work off the parked up touting PH's. can we?

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Former taxi driver

Touting laws?

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1994/33/section/167

Have a look at that and list any questions.

As for your by-laws, methinks you should have a list of those. If the 'return to rank' bit isn't in them then clearly it wont apply.

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IDFIMH

Most certainly not.

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IDFIMH

Surely they would just be plying where they shouldn't be rather than touting?

I mean, a driver legitimately on a rank could be done for touting if he gets out of his car and actively solicits customers, but if he's parked where he shouldn't be then surely he wouldn't be touting just by doing what a HC normally does on a rank even if he's where he shouldn't be ?

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Caledonian Cabbie

For clarification, every vehicle is HC, no PHV in the company.

They are always plying, but if they are waiting stationary away from an authorised rank, then they are touting.

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IDFIMH

Never heard of a hackney prosecuted for touting when sat minding his own buisness ? Maybe failing to proceed.

Legal authority?

There is a Sentencing Council Guideline for 'Taxi Touting', so it must be an offence.

What constitutes a touting offence is down to the circumstances at the time. But I would say taxis 'ranking' up outside of a club where no authorised rank is present, is an offence.

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IDFIMH