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 Post subject: Going it alone
PostPosted: Tue Mar 28, 2006 11:25 am 
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Joined: Fri Mar 24, 2006 11:28 am
Posts: 15
Is it possible to go it alone on the minicabbing circuit?

I mean a one-man-band.

First of all is it legal. I would like to work from home, and market myself. So I am the controller and the driver at the same time.

Is this possible and is it something that people do?

Also, will it work and do I need to get a license to be an operator as well (even though its just one person)?

I don't want to pay £100+ fees to a controller. Why should I?

Thanks


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Tue Mar 28, 2006 11:31 am 
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oh btw, I am speculating here.

I am considering being a black Taxi driver. However, that can take around 3 years to do the knowledge exams, and minicabbing is something I could have a hand at just to get familiar with the roads.


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Tue Mar 28, 2006 2:05 pm 
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I think that anyone accepting bookings has to have an ops license, so you would need that as well as driver and vehicle licenses/permits.

There's some info about applying for the license, fees etc on the PCO website.

http://www.tfl.gov.uk/pco/ph_operators.shtml

It's a good idea in principle, but of course the drawback is that you may take a while to build up the work, while if you pay an office £100 a week then you have a ready-made clientele.

I suppose it all depends on how well you can market yourself and whether you can afford to not make much while you build up some work.

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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Tue Mar 28, 2006 4:20 pm 
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why you pay the controller? lets see because they pay a hell of a lot to staff and contracts and carding and what not..

the cheek of the man! its because of the greed there are so many taxi drivers...with that sort of attitude i would never take you on...

i had a driver in last week asking to work for us so i asked why he left the other firm and he replied "because they were taking on more drivers and its hit my take in"

i told him i had no radio for him, waste of space i tell ya, any driver who is a moaner is not wanted.


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Tue Mar 28, 2006 4:54 pm 
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Joined: Fri Mar 24, 2006 11:28 am
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Its called free enterprise. I do what I choose to do. Welcome to the real world.


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Tue Mar 28, 2006 5:45 pm 
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I think there is room for everyone, but if I was starting up I would start with a well established operator.

Then if you want to go it alone you will know the score a bit more. :wink:

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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Tue Mar 28, 2006 5:50 pm 
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PhD wrote:
i told him i had no radio for him, waste of space i tell ya, any driver who is a moaner is not wanted.


But if you count the ones who moan behind your back then you might as well shut up shop :lol:

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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Tue Mar 28, 2006 7:39 pm 
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Location: Cheshire
NewTaxiDriver wrote:
Its called free enterprise. I do what I choose to do. Welcome to the real world.


before you do check out the DSS benefits you can receive, coz you'll need them, it's a very hard game out here.

Also check you can receive bookings on your mobile, we're not allowed to, it must be a landline (to stop flags pretending they just phoned you)


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Tue Mar 28, 2006 11:51 pm 
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Location: London
PhD wrote:
why you pay the controller? lets see because they pay a hell of a lot to staff and contracts and carding and what not..

the cheek of the man! its because of the greed there are so many taxi drivers...with that sort of attitude i would never take you on...

i had a driver in last week asking to work for us so i asked why he left the other firm and he replied "because they were taking on more drivers and its hit my take in"

i told him i had no radio for him, waste of space i tell ya, any driver who is a moaner is not wanted.




Can I ask you a personal question Mr PhD?

. . . and please don't be offended. :wink:

Are you a tad nutty? :-k


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Wed Mar 29, 2006 1:15 pm 
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PhD wrote:
the cheek of the man! its because of the greed there are so many taxi drivers...with that sort of attitude i would never take you on...


What Plannet are you on? The man is considering setting up a business and is looking for ways to maximise his profits. What's wrong with that?

PhD wrote:
i had a driver in last week asking to work for us so i asked why he left the other firm and he replied "because they were taking on more drivers and its hit my take in"


I suppose you think it is tottaly acceptable to take on too many drivers...... And you have the nerve to talk about greed.

PhD wrote:
i told him i had no radio for him, waste of space i tell ya, any driver who is a moaner is not wanted.


When will PH operators realise that the drivers are their customers NOT their employees?

I am so glad I now have a Hackney badge and don't have to deal with cretins like you anymore.

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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Wed Mar 29, 2006 3:58 pm 
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drivers are only self employed because of tax reasons but the arrogance of a taxi driver is mind boggling.

now i know why my drivers got upset when i bought a fleet, when you have a fleet, the moaners can [edited by admin] off, ive got a waiting list the last thing i need is a **** who decides to overcharge.

the worst thing is when they try to make mates with each other so when they overcharge the boss has to think twice about chucking him out else his 10 mates will go too..

i had a 15 driver firm once but i threw 7 out, the day they make monkeys drive or computers, my job will be a lot easier, i hate dealing with feckheads.

just because you pay rent instead of getting paid by the firm you think you have some sort of power, no you dont, them 7 drivers went to a firm because they had a supermarket contract, but i outbidded them and got the contract, the look on their faces was priceless.


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Wed Mar 29, 2006 4:06 pm 
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PhD wrote:
drivers are only self employed because of tax reasons ..


It has nothing to do with tax.. You do not pay the drivers..... They pay you..... That makes them your customers....

PhD wrote:
just because you pay rent instead of getting paid by the firm you think you have some sort of power, no you dont,.


A customer always has the power to take his business elsewhere, sadly not enough drivers realise that........ At the firm I used to work for I was told I "had" to do airport runs.... I explained that I didn't have to do anything but I could take my £150 per week somewhere else if that's what he wanted. I never did any airport runs.

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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Wed Mar 29, 2006 11:09 pm 
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Bart wrote:
....... At the firm I used to work for I was told I "had" to do airport runs.... I explained that I didn't have to do anything but I could take my £150 per week somewhere else if that's what he wanted. I never did any airport runs.



I bet you do 'Airports' now though! :D

Romford to London Airport (Htrw) :-k £ ? :D


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Thu Mar 30, 2006 1:31 am 
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Joined: Mon Jan 30, 2006 6:43 pm
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bart,

first of all it has everything to do with TAX, if payed your wages (therby declaring your earnings, it would then make you an employee.

We let you cheat the system, remember that, we let you scam the government out of thousands. WE DO PAY TAX, WE ARE DECLARED. unlike most cabbies so dont give me that bollox.

and if i was your boss, i would have booted you out, id say go take your business elsewhere, i bet your boss doesnt have a waiting list, thats why he left it.

i control 3 firms, and always 10 drivers leave when i takeover, why? because they know im strict on time keeping and on rent, but im very strict with customer relationships.

i also have regular meetings with the council, so if you were in my city, and i knew your badge number....lets just say your car would net get plated so easily next time.


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Thu Mar 30, 2006 3:24 am 
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greenbadgecabby wrote:
Bart wrote:
....... At the firm I used to work for I was told I "had" to do airport runs.... I explained that I didn't have to do anything but I could take my £150 per week somewhere else if that's what he wanted. I never did any airport runs.



I bet you do 'Airports' now though! :D

Romford to London Airport (Htrw) :-k £ ? :D


Happy enough to do them now I am paid a proper rate and waiting time.

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