Taxi Driver Online

Can anyone help me and tell me if there anyway a complaint can be made against a council that refuses to enforce the law?

Despite complaints from drivers and the public, and even providing proof (photos etc) of out of authority hackneys plying for trade all over our district, the council does nothing, and says “it is monitoring the situation”. Or doing B****r all in other words.

Even the Local press ran a number of very damming articles highlighting the problem and the effect things were having on the incomes of local drivers, (HC and PH) and the blatant overcharging the public were being subjected to - and still no enforcement of basic laws.

My colleagues are deeply cheesed off and want to take things further – legal if need be – any ideas, thoughts comments welcome.

The wheels grind slowly, I suspect the council enforcement officers will conduct an investingation together with the other taxi enforcement area officers, plus even monitor the situation over a period of time, but how do you know the Hacks are plying for trade from over the border, it could be something quite simple as some of the hacks are maybe picking up their daughters or pre booked telephone jobs, are they sitting on the ranks or cruising the streets, sometime when things are quite we think things are going on when in fact they are maybe going about their lawful work in a lawful manner, albeit in another area.

The local gov ombudsman http://www.lgo.org.uk/ would be a good start.

What you need to do is to list all your complaints and send them to the elected leader of your council. If his reply is not what you believe to be true or fair, then the ombudsman will investigate.

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IDFIMH

Thanks for the replies so far guy’s – very helpful.

The reason we know these hackneys are operating out of area is simple – the council and the police have repeated said that “there is nothing illegal” in what the hackneys are doing and condone it, because, originally, the main area that was being abused is a large (public) entertainment complex in the town, where they rank up on a designated rank area.

The council and police both say that we (the properly licensed local cabs) “cannot service the numbers at peak times”, and also say that as this is happening on private land they can do nothing.

We have quoted the Eastbourne court ruling – regarding touting in a public place - to the council - but again they just ignore us.

In addition they (the out of town cabs) cruise around the town with illuminated signs, and we see them pick up hails all the time.

When I have controlled I have watched them pick up off the main (station) taxi rank, and I have even lost customers to them waiting outside the office!!!

The situation is an epidemic, and getting worse every day. These guys have no conscience at all.

Fewer drivers are working at nights now, primarily because of this, constant no pick ups and lack of work generally, both LHC and LPH. (Who actually - generally – happily co-exist locally.) are totally teed off.

Next stage I guess, is the ombudsman - heres hoping!

is your area restricted or de regged, I am curious...

Have you written them a formal letter on the issue and gotten a formal reply?

I don't know about the private land aspect, but the fact that the local fleet can't cope at peak times hardly justifies letting out of area drivers flout the law with impunity.

These things are often said informally, but it would be useful to get their precise position on the subject in writing.

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Taxi Driver Online
www.taxi-driver.co.uk

You will have noticed that I have (so far) deliberately neglected to say where I am from, and the local authority I am talking about. We are running a bit scared if the truth be known. Suffice to say that the council runs things with an iron hand when it comes to its own regulated drivers, even if it is doing squat about this problem.

I feel that I have to keep anonymous, at least for now, as I know of at least two occasions when drivers have stood up directly to the council and police, and have been branded trouble makers.

Subtle as they may be, they do get revenge for rocking the boat you know, and have.

This make the idea of writing a formal letter, from me, worrying………..

Plus you know the kind of thing that will happen: “and the lads are all behind me ….”

“lads?..........”,


“ ……lads?.......”



I think both authorities are de-regged, but whilst we have our own problems the other district seem to have way too many cabs – and export their woes on us, naturally. The cores of abusers operate every night in the area, and probably do not even go near their home town much.

The non-availability of local cabs at peek times is rubbish anyhow, we could easily cope if we were able to operate on a level playing field- its just that at the moment we suffer from a lack of cars willing to work at night, especially with the endless no pick up’s.

How do you do, I'm Sussex.

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IDFIMH

The Eastbourne case was quite easy for the council and the courts because the rank was right next to the main road, or in legal terms 'a public place'.

Where there is confusion is when the rank (on private land) is out of sight of the public on 'a public place', like Birmingham Airport.

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IDFIMH

Now the council should act on this. The only reason a cab has his lights on is to ply. If they are not in their own area, then they are illegally plying for hire.

To me that's clear cut.

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IDFIMH

So if neither area restricts taxi numbers then why don't the taxis in the oversupplied area just get plated in your area?

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Taxi Driver Online
www.taxi-driver.co.uk

you guys should take down thier plate numbers and report them to which ever council licenses them. you could even video them and hand the evidence over.

you are not a taxi driver......??????????so what are you....mr T

Bit quite on the liars forum then?

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IDFIMH

Ask a sensible question, get a nonsensical answer

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Taxi Driver Online
www.taxi-driver.co.uk