Taxi Driver Online

Who knows?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4698524.stm

But if I was an Ollie in London, I would license my car as a taxi in Ireland, and then enjoy free-range on the ranks with GBC.

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IDFIMH

Thanks for the info Sussex, but I'm never going to park my expensive piece of kit, up against the likes of Mr GBC's expensive piece of **it.

Ollie

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Happy to be legit.

So why have taxi quotas then minister?

The UK Secretary State for Trade and Industry, Alan Johnson, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that "bizarre rules" in some countries needed to be changed.

"You know, in one member state the distance between opticians has to be fixed at 350 metres, in another member state there's a limit of one driving school per every 1,500 people...

"These are rules set up to prevent competition in that country. We've swept them away on goods, so we need to sweep them away on services."

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IDFIMH

In your dreams, you silly man.

A very valid question, but wasn't the minister once a leading trade union official?

But I'm not so sure about the relevance of the directive to things like taxi services if it's about freeing up cross-border competition, which is more relevant to multinationals than things like taxi services.

There may well be provisions in EU law that would deal with the taxi issues anyway (such as the free movement of workers and capital) but I don't think these have ever been properly tested in the courts.

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

It seems that the new services directive will not cover any transport related issues as according to the proposal they are covered by other directives

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/bsp/hi/p ... oposal.pdf

I don't see anywhere that says transport is not covered. Page 20 details those not covered by the new directive: financial services, electronic communications and taxation services.

May be you could point out the relevent page?

I'm looking forward to this. If Wales is deemed a seperate country for EU porposes then I can get plated and badged in Monmouth which has no age limits on cars and is considerably cheaper then Hereford and work in Hereford

Sadly the tarriff is lower in monmouth and i would have to work on monmouth tarriffs - still lower fare could keep me busy

Kevin
http://www.monmouthtaxis.co.uk

Surely you can do that now.

I wouldn't have thought that the entry criteria for Monmouth would be that restrictive.

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IDFIMH

I thought that hackney carriages could only be flagged down in their own licensing areas.

Monmouth's licensing regime is not very strict when compared to Hereford. monmouth only requires standard disclosures ( I believe only on application) one medical until you are 45, cars do not need to be wheelchair compatible to get a plate, cars have no age limits. Hereford you need an enhanced crb every two years, a medical every 5 years, to get a free plate your vehicle needs to be wheelchair adapted and under 5 years old.

Now if i can use my monmouth badge and plate anywhere in the country or even europe it will make life so much easier. Just think when I go on hols to France I can do a bit of taxiing on the weekends LOL

Kevin
http://www.monmouthtaxis.co.uk

Of course, but what's stopping you licensing your motor (and yourself) in the other manor?

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IDFIMH

The age of the car.

I'll be putting on a 6 year old vehicle in monmouth which is not disabled access. It would not be plated in Hereford on age and because it is not WAV I would have to buy a plate for £3,000.

It will also be a lot more convenient to just have one badge and plate rather than having to go through duel plating and badging. I live in monmouth which is very close to the border of both hereford and forest of dean licensing areas so will be going into those areas often. It would be perfect to beable to accept flag downs especially on friday and saturday nights if I'm in the areas.

Not to mention that a lot of the young un's in monmouth go to newport and cardiff clubbing and it can be annoying having to come all that way back without stoppiong for people who are trying to flag down a taxi.

I'm all for deregulation and free markets and the taxi industry is lagging far behind on this



Kevin
http://www.monmouthtaxis.co.uk

I can't see that kind of thing happening somehow - if it did then all cars and driver would license in the less stringent/cheaper fee areas.

In any case, I just couldn't see a Paris or Monmouth taxi driver being able to set up in the smoke - they would have to pass the KOL first.

I think the best that might be hoped for is for numerical controls on taxis to be abolished and thus anyone can go wherever they want, as long as they can meet local quality controls.

Personally, although I don't like taxi quotas, but I'm all in favour of tougher quality and zonal control.

And, after all, there's nothing to stop you getting return fares if someone phones you.

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

Ships operate under flags of convenience why not taxis?


what I can figure out from what's available so far (and there's still plenty of chance for things to change) is that the qualification for taxi drivers, ie the licence, will be valid across all borders, so it is feasable to go any where. I guess the next question is; is your taxi a tool of your trade? If it is - is it covered or will local regulations still apply to the vehicle but not the driver?

This is going to be interesting to see how things pan out.

Kevin
http://www.monmouthtaxis.co.uk

Yes, I think the London black cab drivers would be cock-a-hoop about that

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

Those who run London's black cab firms wouldn't be that upset either.

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IDFIMH