hssc wrote:
Skull whether you like it or not, my view is that having driven for nearly 30 years on the streets of Edinburgh, is that companies come and companies go, apps will come and apps will go and I will STILL earn good money by working hard at my job, like others in different professions.
It's a common moan that the money isn't what it used to be, well that's life, if it was that bad hundreds of plates would be sold by disgruntled owners and drivers like me would leave the trade for better earnings elsewhere. Fact is the money IS GOOD the only difference is you have to work a bit harder, no problem for me. I am not the sort who spends time in garages or ranks spouting my views to anyone within 20 metres who wants to hear me
I come out to WORK.
I have decades of figures that prove that earnings are very good now, problem is that years ago many greedy owners/drivers wanted to finish early on the nightshift to avoid drunks etc and then were surprised/angry at the rise of phc etc who moved in to fill that gap and subsequently other areas of the day and night at the cost of earnings to the Hackney Trade. I do not mind competition in fact I welcome it but it should be a level playing field where ALL drivers from ALL taxi related companies have to FULLY VET their drivers and the public have 100% confidence if anything untoward should happen while they are in a cab/phc/uber vehicle, they are FULLY INSURED and being driven by a FULLY VETTED professional driver.
Is that too much to ask???
Having spoke to drivers the length and breadth of Scotland, this self fulfilling viewpoint has more widespread agreement than you might hear in garages or ranks or forums.
App companies will be driven by the unequal markets of the demand of passengers and supply of drivers.
Sustained by ever improving technology that no legislation will ever again keep apace.
Not because it cannot but because it will not embrace the benefits that the technology brings.
All drivers and vehicles details are already by law on public registers which any member of the public may take a copy of. Try getting access!
App companies could ensure that every passenger has access to to a driver/vehicle licence and insurance check. Even a cross check if drivers were required to login.
They can ensure that every taxi is picking up within its own area. They can ensure that every PH dispatched to a job is located within its own area or is mobile returning to its own area.
Who would oppose that being available to passengers?
The trade off for drivers is limiting their restrictions and providing freedoms to obtain trade from many sources.
Who would oppose that?
There is still room for local booking offices to provide a service to new technology too. As has been said what is good for London is not in Edinburgh or small towns. Local management will always be required.
App technology can provide instant accounting receipt providing, invoicing and be linked to other booking platforms like telephone systems, extensively streamlining booking office operations and thus lowering the costs to drivers.
Who would oppose that?
App technology provides far reaching marketing and promoting opportunities which drivers can take advantage of by forming part of a nationwide service provider to national chains rather than the local outlet manager.
Ensuring jobs are done at the local rates instead of haggling and undercutting.
Who would oppose that?
Who will win out those who prefer to use apps and advancing technology to provide better services and opportunities or those who prefer to constrain this runaway train that is threatening to change the current market?
Login
Register
FAQ
1-0 Edinburgh Trade