Taxi Driver Online

I would say, as I have said on previous occasions, that waiting lists in areas where it is believed that a taxi plate has a high resale value, are swollen with people who are hoping to make a quick return, with no intention of ever working as a cab driver themselves, are by my definition, a carpetbagger. Others, who come by a plate in restricted areas, by purchasing something that they will never own, but nevertheless work that license as was intended by the issuing council, are not, even if the sell on, after say, five years are not, by my definition, a carpetbagger. I was made an offer last week for my plate. (an offer I could refuse) but if I accepted it, would I be a carpetbagger or a savvy businessman?

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Former taxi driver

Is this a council run club or a business? Sounds like a lot of people want their cake and eat it.

The Ph don't have this problem and if taxis don't do the work the Ph will.

You do "the knowledge" you get the choice, plate or drive, end of story.

A taxi without a driver is just a lump of tin going nowhere. You can have as many plates as you want but with no one qualified to drive them it's game over.

Compete or die?

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All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others.
George Orwell, "Animal Farm"

As per my post, it's not a black and white scenario in the way you're trying to portray it.

If someone gets a plate for nothing and sells it for £60k then surely they're profiteering, however long they've held it for?

Carpetbagging implies something a bit more short term and opportunist, thus to that extent I agree that the term isn't appropriate for all examples of profiteering.

But I would say that you can profiteer without being opportunist - ie a long term plateholder who sells at huge profit.

Perhaps it's the difference between opportunism and not looking a gift horse in the mouth, but while I don't really blame the latter, from an objective standpoint it's still profiteering, surely?

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

Why should a driver who is already earning a living be denied the opportunity to own if he wants, his choice?

Why should a driver who is already earning a living be judged by a lot of pr*** who think they are gods gift to the taxi trade (Mr. T for example).

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All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others.
George Orwell, "Animal Farm"

hehe

Captain Cab

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

I think we are as close to being in agreement as we are going to be, and I've other things to do, but as long as people can take the money and run, they will do. Still, maybe deregulation will put a stop to it.

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Former taxi driver

Only joking skull, saw the animation and thought of you



Tend to disagree

Captain cab

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

What a good idea.

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IDFIMH

Can't speak for JD, but we are where we are, for the moment.

Thus if a council issues plates from time to time rather than de-limiting, a policy has to be in place to decide who get one.

I think the idea of existing plate-holders or non licensed folks getting those plates to be a tad wrong.

But if you want to join the de-limit brigade, then welcome a board.

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IDFIMH

I think that Traffords policy of not issuing a license plate until a vehicle has been passed as fit for the purpose is a good one.

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Former taxi driver

I have never ever offered an opinion on who should get a free plate but I have offered opinions on those who have tried to stop others from obtaining a free plate and then applying for one themselves, I find this hypocritical.

The case in point has recently been highlighted in Cardiff, Trafford and Manchester.

In Cardiff we had a person who already had an interest in over 12% of the Taxi fleet, wanting all 6 new licenses that were being issued, to himself.

In Trafford you had owners and drivers complaining about one individual obtaining five licenses yet some of these people had their name on a list for a free plate but would do nothing about it?

In Manchester you have people both on and off the TOA committee who had in the past gone to great lengths to try and stop others from obtaining a free plate yet these very same people have obtained free plates themselves? The present issue in Manchester has seen one longstanding TOA committee member who has an interest in three cabs, obtain free plate. Another person to obtain a free plate is someone who has never even drove a cab in his life? The secretary of the TOA having sold his cab and plate is now up for a free one?

To me I don't really care who gets a free plate but I do get pizzed off when I see people who have tried to stop others from obtaining a free plate, doing exactly the same.

Many of these people I refer to had the same mentality as some I could mention who have posted on this and other forums which is "if you want a plate, buy one". Yet these same people as I have highlighted above, will accept a free plate if one is offered?

In respect of criteria, there are many aspects of some criteria, which are without doubt unlawful because of their exclusive nature. Criteria for plate issues is very rarely challenged the exception being Cardiff, which as we know was negated because the council changed its policy. However in that instance the court stated that it was academic now the council had removed restrictions but I think if my dimming memory serves me well that the court said "there was nothing unreasonable in the criteria of a ballot".

Most people who have driven Taxis for any length of time in a restricted area might think they should be granted a free plate if one comes along? I suppose this is natural but it doesn't always work that way. Take Trafford for instance, in April they had a waiting list of sixty applicants and those who had the foresight to put their names down before any announcement had been made about an issue, were most fortunate. The reason being the council backdated the issue to only those applicants on the list up to mid April. The same thing happened in Manchester in 1986 when they issued 100 licenses. As is the case in Trafford where you have several members of the same family applying for a license, so it was back in 1986 in Manchester. There were two brothers who had never driven a cab in their life given free plates and they ended up in the hands of the person who put them wise about applying? This particular person already had an interest in many, many cabs.

So with me, I don't mind who gets one but I do have a problem with hypocrites.

Regards

JD

I don't know any council that issues a license before the vehicle has past its test? In fact the license is for the vehicle so if the vehicle is not fit and proper for the purpose of a Taxi how can it be granted a license?

JD

I know of many instances where a license was issued before a vehicle was presented for test.

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Former taxi driver

lets give Skull and his wanna plate mates a free plate....

Surely the best way, and I'm assuming the norm elsewhere, is for an offer of a plate to be made to an applicant, and when that offer is excepted once the vehicle is presented it should be plated.

Is a different path the norm elsewhere?

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IDFIMH