Taxi Driver Online

I don't think 'like' comes into it, corporate contracts are tendered for purely on costs, Griffins overheads and vehicles cost way less than that of a licensed taxi, hence he can outbid any Radio Taxi company.

He had the advantage of cheap immigrant labour who work 12 hours a day, 7 days a week, plus a fleet of new Galaxy's which he buys, and I'm sure Blobby will correct me, for around £17k each.

If I could buy a new cab for £17k, I'd change it every couple of years!

This nonsense about not getting an account because of Bus Lanes is guff, GS has no Bus Lanes that are off any use anywhere near them, and if it's the airports we are referring to, then there's none between them and city airport, and none along the embankment / A4 towards Heathrow. More flannel.

As I said at the start, this has nothing to do with competitive advantages, level playing fields, fairness etc, it's Griffen trying to remove Licensec London Taxis from the Bus Lanes.

He already has more advantages over us when it comes to competing for account work. Fixed prices.

I think our smart phone apps are hurting him, TLC app, Hailo, Blackcabapp, and Get Taxi who are also winning contract work. They all offer licensed taxis to your door with no run ins or booking fees or cc charges.

I think this has riled him. I think this has pushed him into this outburst.

Why would they need to flag down a cab and a string vest?

I don't see any drivers like that on TLC, Hailo or Get Taxi, and they're just the same cost as a street hail, plus 5 mins free waiting time.

Well if you're saying cost is a major factor and the big circuits charge a run-in then one way to cut down costs would be flagging and taxi ranks, in which case it's pot luck quality wise.

Perhaps AL is considered both cheaper and more consistent quality-wise.

Of course, there are lots of different factors to consider, but I'm sure AL isn't the size it is purely down to pot luck?

Hailo has 4000 drivers on the app.

TLC has 700 active drivers.

Get Taxi, who are making inroads to the account world, have 2500.

Addison Lee have about 3500 drivers.

The apps are relatively new, give them time, inroads will be made.

The court hearing took place today whereby John Griffin agreed to withdraw the notice to his staff instructing them to illegally use the capitals bus lanes.

If he hadn't, TFL were going to revoke his operating license.

He could have then appealed, but I think after 'cycle gate', he's decided, or been told, to shut up for a bit.

There's publicity, then there's a 'Ratner' moment.

Out of curiosity how many taxis are there in London?

20000 ish

So I guess allowing another 20000 ish into the bus lanes would negate the purpose of them, but, some may say that purpose is already affected