Taxi Driver Online

Thought this article wasn't worth posting at first glance, particularly in view of plenty other interesting articles just now

But actually quite a lot of talking points, or maybe it's just me

But mainly because I suspect it's largely bull$hit


Fears for north-east revellers being taken home from clubs by unofficial ‘taxi drivers’

https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/ne ... i-drivers/


Image: Duncan Brown/Press and Journal

Fears have been raised for the safety of revellers being given cheap lifts home from nightclubs by people acting as unlicensed taxi drivers

Licensed cabbies in Fraserburgh claim that about 30 drivers appear to be running unofficial taxi businesses, waiting outside pubs and nightclubs to pick people up every weekend.

They say that the unlicensed drivers keep their headlights on to show when they are available, with one going so far as to string Christmas lights around his car as a sign.

As well as worrying about the impact on their jobs, they believe the practice could put young people at risk.

First Cabs Fraserburgh driver, Thomas Beedie, is also the head of security at Deejay’s nightclub in the town and worries about people heading home in those cars.

He said: “There were 32 cars last Saturday but they have no disclosures, no insurance, no licence, no public liability, no limit on what they charge – and there’s no way of knowing who they are.

“When I’m on the door I point them out to the police, but they’ve told me before that there’s nothing they can do unless they see money changing hands.

“Someone needs to regulate this so we can protect the public from the illegal drivers.

“But it seems like it’s going to take something bad to happen before something is done.”

John Ritchie, of Ritchie Taxis, added: “It’s frustrating seeing them sat in the car park with their headlights on, showing that they’re available to give lifts – one has Christmas lights strung around his car that light up when he can take someone.

“There’s been no regulation about it. They drive hideous speeds to give as many lifts as possible, making £250 a night.

“If any of us put a toe out of line, we would have our licence stripped.”

Rod Watson of First Cabs said: “We can’t keep paying quadruple the money to be on the road legally, only to get no business because of them.”

An Aberdeenshire Council spokesman confirmed that it employs enforcement officers to ensure licence holders stick to the right terms.

He added: “Any member of the public who believes someone is operating a taxi without a licence should contact the police. To operate or drive a taxi without a licence is a criminal offence.”

Police declined to comment.

So this is a town of about 13,000 people. I doubt there would be 30 licenced cabs ranked up late at night, never mind 30 unlicensed cars sitting around a small town centre.


Sounds like the local boy racers, to be honest. Boy racers sitting outside pubs and nightclubs with their headlights on and with other 'adornments' - that's never happened before


Not at the same time, I hope...

By the way, he's the one second from left in the photo


I've no doubt they drive at 'hideous' speeds, because that's what boy racers do. But £250 a night?

I don't doubt there's an element of truth in what they're saying. And while some of the boy racers will be picking up mates/girlfriends and maybe offering other girls a free ride home I've no doubt there will be an element of money changing hands.

But on the industrial scale portrayed in the article? Doesn't ring true, somehow.

Don't know if the drivers are misinterpreting what's going on, or are just misrepresenting and exaggerating things so that the police and council will do something, but what they're portraying is essentially what boy racers do. A pain in the butt for the taxi trade, and potentially dangerous, but I suspect the biggest problem here isn't a licensing one

so a small port town like Fraserburgh has such a vibrant nightlife that they can make that sort of money on a saturday night

and the locals clearly don't know the meaning of the word diet

_________________
lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector

Methinks it's a load of old fanny.

Defo boy racers who are waiting for their mates.

And heaven forbid someone having Xmas lights on in their motor.

_________________
IDFIMH

They'd have to go some to take £250 a night. Collectively that's £7500 a night. somehow I doubt it.

Like when people used to say to me on New Year's Eve "bet you make a fortune tonight". Well, the answer was I didn't, as there's a limit to how many jobs an hour you can do in a rural area, 2 jobs an hour if you're lucky.

NYE. Around here you are busy for 2 hours from 00.15 to 02.15 and that is it.

_________________
Grandad,

My point entirely about NYE. but we "make a fortune" in those 2 hours.

Last time I worked New Years Eve was just over four years ago.

Worked one of the office taxis, as my new car hadn't arrived, and in all honesty I earnt a fortune.

Busy from 19.00 to 22.00, and f***ing mad from 00.05 to 5.00.

_________________
IDFIMH

Well licensing and police seem to have taken the claims seriously. But I suspect this is more just PR and sabre-rattling in response to what's in the press, again not unlike the recent Stoke scenario.

No doubt they'll have a sniff around Fraserburgh one night, have a word with a few of the boy racers, then things will return to normal.

Of course, there may be some formal action taken, and no doubt there will be some deterrent effect, but somehow can't see dozens of unlicensed drivers clogging up the courts in the coming weeks.


Police launch crackdown on unlicensed taxi drivers in north-east town

https://www.eveningexpress.co.uk/fp/new ... east-town/

A police operation cracking down on unlicensed taxi drivers in the north-east will be taking place over the next few weeks.

Reports of unlicensed drivers sitting outside pubs and clubs in Fraserburgh at the weekend have sparked a joint operation between police and Aberdeenshire Council.

The force will target young drivers offering lifts on social media in exchange for money.

Officers will be co-ordinating with the licensing department at the council and legitimate taxi drivers, who have expressed their frustration at the practice.

Taxi drivers require different forms of insurance and the penalties for driving without the correct insurance range from points on your licence, to being disqualified from driving and having your vehicle seized.

Those found to be operating as a taxi without a licence could also receive a fine of up to £2,500.

Sergeant Tricia MacLean, from the North East Divisional Licensing Unit, said: “The legitimate taxi trade go through rigorous checks to ensure that their vehicles are safe and suitable to transport members of the public, while unlicensed drivers have not undergone these checks.

“While offers from such drivers might be appealing from a financial point of view, you may be compromising your safety and putting yourself at significant risk.

“Remember that legitimate taxi drivers are expected to clearly display their taxi or private hire licence plates and carry photo identification to prove their status. If either of these items are not visible, I’d strongly advise you not to enter the vehicle.”

An Aberdeenshire Council spokesperson said: “The safety of residents and visitors within our communities is paramount and this joint operation between our civic licensing standards officers and Police Scotland will help tackle any unlicensed taxi activity in Fraserburgh.

“We would encourage any member of the public who believes someone is operating a taxi without a licence to contact Police Scotland as to operate or drive a taxi without a licence is a criminal offence.”

This is just a rehash of last night's evening paper piece, but this is in the Press & Journal, which broke the original story.

But they've went big here with the £2,500 fine in the headline - can't see too many of the being administered


Unlicensed taxi operators in Broch facing £2,500 fines in new crackdown

https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/ne ... crackdown/

Unlicensed taxi drivers plaguing Fraserburgh may soon be slapped with £2,500 fines as the police and council launch an operation to tackle the problem.

The announcement came after the Press and Journal exclusively revealed the extent of the issue last week.

Taxi drivers spoke out about their fears for the safety of party goers being given lifts home from around 30 young drivers operating as unofficial taxis.

Licensed drivers in the town claim the new arrivals are putting people at risk, as well as threatening their livelihoods.

Last night it was announced that a joint operation with Aberdeenshire Council and the police will result in additional patrols, which will target young drivers in the area who advertise lifts on social media in exchange for money.

Individuals operating as a taxi without the appropriate licence could receive a fine of up to £2,500 and those without insurance could be handed points and a fine, disqualified from driving or have their vehicle seized.

Sergeant Tricia MacLean, from the North East Divisional Licensing Unit, said: “The legitimate taxi trade go through rigorous checks to ensure their vehicles are safe and suitable to transport members of the public. Unlicensed drivers have not undergone these checks.

“While offers from such drivers might be appealing from a financial point of view, you may be compromising your safety and putting yourself at significant risk.

“Remember that legitimate taxi drivers are expected to clearly display their taxi or private hire licence plates and carry photo identification to prove their status.

“If either of these items are not visible, I’d strongly advise you not to enter the vehicle.”

Local taxi drivers who raised concerns about what was going on were “delighted” by the news.

Thomas Beedie of First Cabs Fraserburgh said: “I think it’s a step in the right direction.

“Ensuring a greater police presence on Saturday nights, being proactive and trying to tackle the problem is a good approach.

“Our main concern is the health and safety of the people who use these drivers to take them home – not just their friends.

“These are people going on Facebook flashing the emojis and pound signs taking business in that way.

“I’m absolutely delighted that something will be done and I want to thank the Press and Journal for helping us highlight how bad the problem is.”

The licensing department at Aberdeenshire Council will be working with the police as they class residents safety as “paramount”.

A spokesman added: “We would encourage any member of the public who believes someone is operating a taxi without a licence to contact police as to operate or drive a taxi without a licence is a criminal offence."

Sounds a bit different now to what a few days ago was portrayed like dozens of unlicensed cabs in a small town sitting around plying for hire and making a couple of hundred quid a night