Taxi Driver Online

Bournemouth's taxi marshals to go in row over funding


WELCOMED DECISION: Taxi driver Paul Sondheim

TAXI marshals are set to disappear from Bournemouth’s streets by Christmas, after plans to cover their cost by increasing cab fares were rejected.

A lack of funding means the marshals will no longer be able to patrol the town’s busy Horseshoe Common rank, where they currently try and prevent trouble breaking out between night-time drinkers.

Licensing officers had suggested increasing taxi fees to enable the £1,000 a month marshal service to continue, which would have meant higher fares for customers.

But this sparked protests from taxi drivers and councillors on Bournemouth’s licensing committee ruled against the idea.

Cllr Andrew Morgan, chair of the committee, said: “We felt that it would an unreasonable burden on the taxi trade.

“Drivers are finding it tough enough at the moment without any extra fee to pay for the taxi marshals.

“It would have discriminated between private hire and Hackney carriages and it would have meant that someone leaving a party in Strouden Park, for example, would have had to pay extra to fund marshals at Horseshoe Common when they were not going anywhere near the town centre.”

Driver Paul Sondheim welcomed the decision: “It was ridiculous for them to even contemplate putting an extra fee on our fares when we are in the middle of a recession.

“This is a policing matter, not a matter for taxi drivers. We already pay enough money to the town hall.”

And John Tye, chair of the Bournemouth Taxi Trade Association, agreed: “I’m pleased the board recognised that this is not a taxi trade problem but is about crowd control, public order and public safety.”

Councillors also discussed the possible reopening of St Peter’s Road and Fir Vale Road to try and reduce the pressure on the Horseshoe Common taxi rank.

Their recommendation that this should be considered will go before the next cabinet meeting.

source: http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/districts/bournemouth/9346303.Bournemouth_s_taxi_marshals_to_go_in_row_over_funding/

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

Loads of hot air and bo*****s.

But what outcome do they have?

A worse position than they had.

A victory for stupid drivers and stupid councillors.

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IDFIMH

A point of at variance with the Hackney trade in Bournemouth.

Hot air it is not.

They have the outcome that the Police, on the General Rate (or addition to the Council Tax) will have to keep Public Order, as is their duty. This at no extra cost to the Hackney Licence holder.

Marshals can be a good thing - cheaper than Police Officers and often effective - the huge saving made by the Constabulary could and should pay for them - that would be a better position than that they were faced with.

A victory for Hackney Drivers with common sense and Councillors with the sense to listen to it.

All in all, I think we fundamentally disagree on this one Sussex.

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Chris The Fish

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