Taxi Driver Online

Taxi drivers angry about new disciplinary rules


Angry taxi drivers opposed to disciplinary rules which would see them given penalty points have put together a petition with nearly 600 signatures.

Drivers complain they have not been consulted about the changes, which would see them accrue points for complaints about their conduct or for misdemeanours such as using a mobile phone behind the wheel.

David Wratten, of Cambridge City Licensed Taxis, told a meeting yesterday that a petition raising concerns about the proposal had gained 593 signatures.

Members of Cambridge City Council’s licensing committee decided not to approve the disciplinary system in principle but authorised officers to draw up a draft which will be consulted on.

They approved a new code of conduct for the trade, introducing new rules such as a requirement for drivers to pass basic English and numeracy tests before they get a licence, on top of the existing exams on motoring regulations and local knowledge.

However, Mr Wratten said his members were concerned about a section of the code which limited the ages and emissions standards of vehicles, warning drivers of wheelchair-friendly vehicles would be disproportionately affected because there are fewer of these available as environmentally friendly models.

Explaining taxis were not the only culprits, Mr Wratten said: “We are responsible for only 3 per cent of pollution in the city, 53 per cent of it comes from outside.”

Councillors agreed to defer implementation of this section of the code so further consultation can be carried out.

The committee’s other decision was to approve the undertaking of a survey which would explore whether there were enough taxis to meet existing demand.

Chairman Cllr Julie Smith said: “This is something the trade requested, the trade will pay for it and it will allow us to deal with the issue of whether there should be a limitation on numbers.”

Vice-chairman Cllr Colin Rosenstiel said a limit could only be imposed if the research proved there was no unmet demand.

Petersfield’s Cllr Kevin Blencowe said the taxi trade’s concerns worried him.

source: http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/

He said: “The trade aren’t getting the level of service the fee they pay deserves.”

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

This has just come in for us aswell I shall see how it works because enforcement is not exactly our councils strong point so we shall see if it comes to anything

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lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector

While most of the proposals suck, I would love to see the basic English and numeracy tests come into effect. This might well help limit numbers as well.

There are far too many cars on the road around here to make any money at all.

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The song Bohemian Rhapsody is now playing in your head.

Would a "Mejiah" degree cover most requirements?

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Chris The Fish

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gdlyi5mc ... re=related

That will only be useful if the same applies for ph IMO

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

I'm probably the only person outside the public who thinks this way, but I class PH and HC as Taxis anyway.

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The song Bohemian Rhapsody is now playing in your head.

You best get your tin hat on and start digging

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

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IDFIMH

It is enshrined in law PH are NOT taxis

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lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector

But is it enshrined that hackney carriages are taxis?

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IDFIMH

Not being enough of an anorak to read and memorise the various bits of legislation i cannot quote chapter and verse but I seem to recall that one of the bits of legislation does define the word taxi

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lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector

Up until 1985 taxi was never defined as every 'taxi' was said to be a hackney carriage. Since then most taxi acts have said taxi as defined as a hackney carriage.

However when the gov brought in the CRB check provisions they said 'taxi' was defined as a hackney carriage as licensed under the 1847 act, and private hire as licensed under the 1976 act.

So if it's good enough for them, it's good enough for me.

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IDFIMH

It is in Brum!!

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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.

But the law is an ass and the definition is only there for the LA to decide who to [edited by admin] over.

IMO it's the public opinion that counts, after all, they pay our bills.

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The song Bohemian Rhapsody is now playing in your head.

Here's little old me thinking it was the 1980 Transport Act 1980.......section 64 subsection 3

(3) In this section "taxi" means a vehicle licensed under section 37 of the Town Police Clauses Act 1847, section 6 of the Metropolitan Carriage Act 1869

CC

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