Taxi Driver Online

'Embarrassing' taxi stickers scrapped after just 2 years

COUNCIL guardians have taken only two years to abandon the idea of forcing Reading mini-cab drivers into line by making them attach standard stick-on vinyl signs to their car doors.

And years of ill-feeling will end when the private hire cars start reappearing on Reading's streets sporting the illuminated boxes which were fitted to their roofs before March 2004.

The new boxes will bear the firm's name, registration details, and a warning that the car can only be booked in advance and not flagged down in the street.

The permanent vinyl door stickers inspired a 200-signature protest petition from private hire drivers when the idea was first mooted and have remained unpopular.

Drivers claimed the permanent stickers reduced the re-sale value of cars and were "embarrassing" when they were being used for family outings, weddings and funerals.

Now after hours of argument and the production of several costly reports, the council has backed down and is allowing the return of the roof-top boxes.

Last night (Wednesday) the borough licensing applications committee was expected to approve a design for the new boxes.

But passengers hoping the latest move will mean all mini-cabs will have an identical look should think again.

Drivers will be able to choose between a roof-top box or the vilified door stickers, which more than 100 drivers have already been forced to attach to their cars.

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IDFIMH

Now there's a thought.

Ollie

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Happy to be legit.

All PH should have a roof box and door stickers, Its about time All councils should adopt this strategy

There's enough inconsistency between LAs without having it within LAs.

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

Yet more evidence, is any was needed, that councils are the worst people to decide anything.

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IDFIMH

Not the hardest decision in the world IMHO.

Get those hair dryers out guys.

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IDFIMH

I agree Skippy.

I shall speak to the commrade Flannagan of the LPH GMB about it.

Ollie

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Happy to be legit.

I prefer the door sign's (on magnetic's) no damage to the paintwork, and it keeps me below 80 on the motorway so they dont come off.

Indeed. Who would want to admit to their neighbour they are a Minicab driver.

or, 'their' new Merceded is'nt quite 'theirs' but belongs to their very rich boss who is on a nice little earner.

our PH have had rooflights for over 20 years and the taxi boys hate it.
still a court said they could have them.