Taxi Driver Online

Cab firms’ regulation call in row over ‘patch’



Anger: Eamonn Bailey of Village Cars in Bamber Bridge and Craig McGarry of Tardy Gate Taxis


Taxi firms are demanding action over allegations of rivals and uninsured vehicles coming into their patch.

South Ribble Council requires taxis registered to the area are no more than four-years-old at 
registration, that drivers pass a medical and sit a knowledge test of the borough.

But operators, including Tardy Gate Taxis of Lostock Hall and Village Cars of Bamber Bridge, have complained that minicabs 
registered by Preston Council, which are not required meet the same standards, are breaching regulations by increasingly 
coming on to their patch.

Craig McGarry of Tardy Gate Taxis, said: “If you call for a taxi in South Ribble, you’re meant to get a South Ribble car, but this isn’t always happening.”

He added: “Preston Council doesn’t have an age limit on the cars, so it’s putting us at a real 
disadvantage.

“Preston drivers also have little knowledge of the South Ribble area, so passengers are having to direct the driver.

“And because it’s quieter in town, Preston private hire cars are lining up outside South 
Ribble pubs and clubs.

“When people have had a drink, they don’t know which taxi they’re getting in, and if these haven’t been pre-booked, then the customer isn’t insured.”

Eamonn Bailey, owner of 
Village Cars, said: “There’s cars all over Bamber Bridge with 
Preston plates. It’s a free for all and it’s having a big impact on my business. I’ve just spent £10,000 on a new car, whereas a Preston firm could buy five for that.

“It’s not a level playing field and we need South Ribble 
Council to get tough.”

Vice chairman of South Ribble Council’s licensing committee, Coun Mary Robinson, said: “We are aware that there is a problem with unlicensed taxis coming into South Ribble, and we will not 
tolerate it.

“We’ve already taken some steps to counter this, and there are a number of other options open to us.

“We are in the process of taking legal advice at the moment, so it would be inappropriate to go into further details at this stage.

“What I can say is that we will do everything we possibly can to ensure passenger safety and stand up for South Ribble’s law-abiding taxi drivers.”

source: http://www.lep.co.uk/news/business/cab- ... -1-5488930

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

I would suggest that this is a similar problem as with Sefton and Liverpool, I haven't seen anything done about that and I suspect there is little that can be done in this situation other than enforcement to ensure these vehicles don't pick up illegally. I note the old 'the customer isn't insured' thrown into the mix as well

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

Welcome to my world.

_________________
IDFIMH

what do they want?

do they turn down bookings from over the border lines? course not

we all know the rules and how it works, if they want a monopoly they need to buy a board game

if its naughty hacks hes on about, well hes paying for a LO, make them work for their fees!

_________________
Of all the things ive lost, i miss my mind the most

I think they want a level playing field, I think they want enforcement.

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

so long as they accept the fact that anyone can take a booking then its fair....but they cant stop legal cross-border bookings, even if the pickup and drop is in their LA

_________________
Of all the things ive lost, i miss my mind the most

I think they do - I think they don't like lines of PH from other areas sitting in line outside the ale houses of their area - 'waiting' for punters

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