Taxi Driver Online

I think it must be half day at his office.

Alex

Yes, we'll have to agree to differ on that one Wharfy.

I still wouldn't mind seeing the amended s.37 though, but I can wait until I get the Button book at Xmas

Dusty

Just testing - there seems to be a bug somewhere!

Dusty

Yes, but which Xmas?

The one after the Competition Commission report.

Dusty

Ha! Cool.

_________________
There is Significant Unmet Demand for my Opinion.

The regulations are being set down in London to make all licensed LPH vehicles easily identifiable. At present there is no problem with licensed taxis, in spite of there being 4 different shapes and coming in a wide variety of colours and advertising liveries. The 2 'for hire' signs, the TfL plate on the back, the taximeter and the taxi driver's badge are all dead giveaways. We couldn't be more conspicuous.

With the possibility of specialised coloured number plates being adopted for both classes of vehicle, identification may be made even easier.

Regards,

Cruisin' Cabby

I hear what you say about London Cabs being instantly recognisable.

BUT

Shouldn't they be banned from being used as private vehicles. How do I know that I haven't waved down the Duke of Ed by mistake, instead of a legitimate cabby. He might rip me off.

What easy identification do you think the Cab trade will accept Cruisin?

Perhaps a ten foot high sign with the words 'TOUT' on.

Alex

taking the [edited by admin]

Wharfie

another one taking the [edited by admin].

Wharfie

You might even flag down Simon Hughes MP (Lib Dems) as he uses one as his private car. At the taxi trade dinners he attends this is always a topic of conversation over which he handles himself really well and he delights everyone with his humorous experiences with it.

Having a PBV the way that we do always brings up this question of ex-taxis and the possibilty of their illegal use, but what should happen to them once they are no longer used - send them to the crusher? Should MPV's for family and other uses, not be allowed to be used by the public; after all we wouldn't want them to be mistaken for a LPH vehicle would we? With people rushing up to them saying, "Are you booked for Mrs Johnson?" I wouldn't want us to get carried away with this type of thinking for taxis or LPH as we may be coming a bit paranoid, unnecessarily.

There shouldn't be a problem with these former taxis as it is only the 'chancers' who would abuse this. Genuine and honest people just wouldn't bother. Let's face it they are easy to catch and they nearly all are. It is not as big a problem as it once was and TOCU seem to grab the offenders PDQ with 24,000 pairs of experienced cab drivers' eyes on them, mobile phones at the ready.

The late Earl of Winchilsea drove a rainbow coloured ex-taxi and he was a great ambassador for the London cab trade and was loved by many in the trade. No-one ever questioned his use of the vehicle. As you say the Duke of Edinburgh had a Metrocab for a while (may still have) but I don't know if he did the odd job from Sloane Sq rank.

Cruisin' Cabby

I think you seem to be making more of this than we are. It is clear to any right-minded person that they must be reasonably identifiable, so as far as we are concerned we don't want that overtly done, with adverts all over them indicating that they could be for hire, or making some of the MPV's look like liveried taxis. Naa!, they wouldn't really want to do that would they?

Perhaps only five foot! (or they won't be able to get down the ramp into Euston station.)

I think this will find its own level in the fullness of time, but it is still under discussion with the LTDA (and others) and TfL. It's a bit of a touchy subject but we'll have to wait and see what is officially agreed.

Cruisin' Cabby

Well, if he is let's hope the Duke of Ed does pick him up and rip him off - he'd dine out on it for the next ten years. Though I suspect the grand old Duke can spot a fool a mile off!

Regards,

Cruisin' Cabby

The bit I can't quite grasp over the signage, is surely the reason the PH firms want them is the same reason that the large Radio Taxi firms want them i.e. advertisement, and making sure the right customers get into the right licensed vehicle.

I would assume that for account customers this is a must.

Alex