Taxi Driver Online

I've been told by someone wiser

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

I'm sure you have and don't dispute it, but, there must be more than one string to the bow

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

yeah I apparently come from an immaculate conception ffs

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

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

Chicken feed compared to the cost of employing all those self employed drivers

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http://wingsoverscotland.com/ http://www.newsnetscotland.com/

BTW, if using the bus lane is a criminal offence, isn't Griffin inciting his drivers to commit a crime, also aiding and abetting by offering to pay the fines?

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http://wingsoverscotland.com/ http://www.newsnetscotland.com/

I think this whole thing is a 'spoiling tactic". Hackneys will be banned from the Bus Lanes.

Or fully complying with the equality bill

CC

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

I'm not convinced black cabs doing radio work are that much different to PH vehicles doing radio work.

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IDFIMH

I think you are right.

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IDFIMH

I took the liberty of copying this from the Manchester Taxi Forum.

Comments from the solicitor that represents the Manchester PH trade.

Subject: RE: London bus lanes

My advice remains as it was.

I agree with Addison Lee that a scheme which excludes PHV’s from bus lanes does discriminate against those drivers and more importantly their passengers, who may not appreciate that a PHV may be required to take a longer route at greater cost.


English law differs from European Law in that there is in law a distinction between PHVs and hackney carriages and the AGMA group of councils has written its regulations so as to favour hackneys. On a literal interpretation of those regulations any PHV driver who drives in a bus lane does commit an offence and falls to be convicted before a magistrates’ court, as that court lacks the power to redraft the law. It must also be noted that the AGMA group of councils has adopted a policy which does not apply nationally. (I was in Norwich recently where phv’s are allowed to use bus lanes as part of that city’s transport plan.)


When I wrote to Manchester City Council I asked them to suspend the enforcement policy pending any challenge by way of judicial review. Now that there is a prospect of such a review that is something the council should re-visit. Any driver who is prosecuted for such an offence would be entitled in my view to have the proceedings adjourned until after the judicial review is concluded, as were the case to proceed and result in a conviction the courts would face the prospect of having to resolve a considerable number of appeals after the event. If all Addison Lee’s drivers and any others do chose to act on the advice that the drivers have been given from Addison Lee it seems to me the council will be hard pressed to take enforcement action against all of them. Any proceedings must ne commenced within six months of the date of the offence and I doubt the council has the resources to cope with mass civil disobedience of that type.

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IDFIMH

That's about 5000 out of 26000, in the case of minicabs that's about 65000, out of 65000.

Even radio taxis get the majority of their work by the kerbside nowadays.

Ah my old friend - the penny drops

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"Where to, Guv'?. Na sorry not going my way"

Tuesday, 17 April 2012
TfL Press Release 6/12
Updated information for all Private Hire Drivers and Operators

Further to TPH notice 05/12 issued on Sunday 15 April 2012 with information for private hire drivers and operators, TfL can confirm that an interim injunction to order Addison Lee plc to withdraw the letter issued to drivers has been applied for. This letter was issued by a director of Addison Lee plc to its PHV drivers in which he stated (among other things) that they were “fully entitled to use the bus lanes” and that he would indemnify them in respect of fines and other liabilities incurred as a result of following his advice. TfL’s application was made on Monday 16 April, and a hearing is set to take place on Monday 23 April.

Under current regulations it is illegal for London private hire vehicles (PHVs) to drive in Bus Lanes operated by Transport for London (TfL) and London Local Authorities except when picking up and setting down passengers.
As regulatory authority for taxis and PHVs in London, TfL considers the decision to issue this letter inciting drivers to break the law is irresponsible. TfL will review the fitness of the PHV licence holder to continue holding its licence. TfL and the Police have and will continue to monitor the use of Bus Lanes by Addison Lee and other licensed PHV drivers. We are pleased to note that contraventions have so far been minimal. However, those PHV drivers that were contravening the regulations other than to set down and pick up passengers will be subject to further action. Wilful criminal behaviour is viewed with the upmost concern.

TfL hereby reminds all licensed PHV drivers in London: under current regulations, driving a PHV in a Bus Lane, during the hours when the Bus Lane is operative (and other than to pick up and set down passengers) is a criminal offence for which PHV drivers may be personally prosecuted. Those regulations remain valid until and unless there is a court order suspending their effect. There has been no such court order. This means that, as a PHV driver, you must not drive in Bus Lanes other than to pick up and set down passengers. If you do so, you will be committing a criminal offence and you will be personally liable to prosecution, irrespective of any indemnity which anyone else may purport to give. TfL has power to suspend or revoke a PHV operator’s or driver’s licence if it is no longer satisfied that the licence holder is fit to hold such a licence.

Please take note that: drivers who repeatedly contravene traffic regulations, including by intentionally driving in Bus Lanes, other than to pick up or set down passengers, may be considered unfit to hold a PHV driver’s licence; and operators who encourage such conduct may be considered unfit to hold a PHV operator’s licence.

TfL requests operators to bring this notice to the attention of all their PHV drivers.

John Mason

Director, Taxi and Private Hire