Taxi Driver Online

A different nature of Hire or reward.

July 13, 2006 Thursday

HEADLINE: Drinkers can call an angel to get home.

A company is hoping to put an end to drink-driving by offering a chauffeur taxi service with a difference.

The Angels company will be using tiny motorcycles, which can be folded away and put in a car boot, as the cornerstone of its business. Customers can use their own vehicle to get to pubs, clubs and bars, and then call Angels to come and pick them up.

The Angels drivers will arrive on mini-motorbikes which will be stowed in the customers' cars before they are driven home. While similar schemes have been successful in larger towns around the country, it is thought to be the first time it has been brought to Cornwall.

Kristian Fleming, director of Angels, said he first saw the idea operating in London and thought it would be perfect for Cornwall because of its lack of public transport. Describing the service as "James Bond meets Pan Am", he said it was aimed at those people who have had too much alcohol to drive but did not want to leave their car overnight or have to go back and pick it up in the morning.

Mr Fleming said: "Drinking and driving has long been a problem and these miniature motorcycles have allowed us to create a service that can hopefully help reduce it. We hope the result will be safer streets as well as satisfied customers."

Angels supports the Government's drink-driving and road safety campaigns, and will be donating a percentage of profits to Cornwall Victim Support - an organisation that provides help to people who have suffered at the hands of drink-drivers. The service has been backed by pub landlords such as John Calland, who runs the Pandora Inn at Restronguet Creek, near Falmouth. He said: "It's a great idea. Anything that encourages people to act responsibly while allowing them to enjoy themselves in a remote pub like this has got to be worthwhile."

Police have also backed the company. Insp Mark Richards, of Truro police, said: "Anything that reduces drink-driving, preventing people from taking that risk, has got to be a good idea." The Angels service will operate in the Truro area covering a 20-mile radius, including Falmouth, St Austell, Newquay and Redruth. Call 0845 838 1065 or visit www.angelstaxis.co.uk
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Where, when and how?

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IDFIMH

I remember a similar service being offered in Glasgow a few years ago, haven't heard of it recently

i saw this on top gear or similar TV car program, might have been last year or even the year before. not of anything of it since...

Edinburgh - where after several spluttering years of operation, the massive fleet of almost 4 bikes charging more than twice the fare of a taxi, probably worry Skull, but not me

See http://www.scootltd.co.uk/

As far as I've heard, they mostly only get people who've taken their car to town, then had a drink, and due to the early start of the parking attendants, decide it's cheaper than a parking fine at 7.31am later that same morning

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Keyboards and Cretins : Facts - not opinions - are the only truths

Damascus Moments - easy excuses for a sociopath

TDO the website of double standards and changing identities

So, torn casualty is not worried.

That's why he is a casualty.

You'd think that even the pig ignorant wouldn't be so stupid as not to display concern for ANY competition which takes away his livelihood.

No doubt this thicko is also not concerned about private hire, night buses, rickshaws, motorised rickshaws, illegal pickups from out-of-town fleets etc.

I despair at banality. I despair at the torn casualties of this world.

Perhaps he should ask why it is that people will go to the extraordinary lengths and complexities to arrange a service like this rather than the simply taking a taxi in the first place?

Too much to ask?

Thought it was too much to hope that the marginalised old fool jasbar would do what he now does on the rank - sits in his cab, being quietly ignored by everyone.

As ever pi55jar, you put words in peoples mouths then proclaim them fools - you are the fool and all in Edinburgh know it - even the Edinburgh Evening News seem to be ignoring you

However Jimmy, the reason these bikes have been about for almost 4 years now (4 years and still only fleet of 4 bikes), and their lack of success is due to the fact that those who use them are more afraid of getting a ticket and towed in the morning, than planning a night out and choosing to drive to town, and using these bikes to get them home - it's a completely different market segment. It's simple economics - like us they have to charge enough to cover their costs.

As for tuk tuks and pedicabs - I've taken action and at least written to the authorities about them - other than bump your gums here, what have you done? You're never normally that shy and retiring in proclaiming your self-declared genius or lack of it

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Keyboards and Cretins : Facts - not opinions - are the only truths

Damascus Moments - easy excuses for a sociopath

TDO the website of double standards and changing identities

Why bother writing to the authorities tuk-tuks are a "different market segment" and "those who use them are more afraid of getting a ticket and towed in the morning" "It's simple economics-like us they have to charge enough to cover their costs" lol:

The ph are a "different market segment" and "those who use them are more afraid of getting a ticket and towed in the morning" "It's simple economics-like us they have to charge enough to cover their costs"

The buses are a "different market segment" and "those who use them are more afraid of getting a ticket and towed in the morning" "It's simple economics-like us they have to charge enough to cover their costs"

Problem solved, now no one is taking your work.

what a numpty keep taking your medication "its simple economics" the more pills you take the less of an ars* you are

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

Easy to draw out an idiot, isn't it torn casualty?

A few simple words and you rise to the bait.

Unfortunately, the taxi trade is in the state its in because of those like you who are hanging on the threads of a status quo which is self-destructing.

As for doing nothing?

You're having a laugh. You really don't know what's going down, do you?

You haven't a clue.

As for "no one talking to me"? You must have dug this one straight out of the playground. You're report cards must have recorded your teacher's verdict "could do better".

I've chosen not to contribute to forums. (Though I have to say Fasties barred me). I did so in the hope that some form of reasonable debate would ensue. It hasn't. And, it won't.


Torn casualty, it comes as no surprise that now I've re-entered the fray folks like you are so scared of what I have to say, and being devoid of any ability to address the issues, you're tripping over yourself to try to put me down. Why can't you realise that it just doesn't work. You're wasting your time.

Curious thing is that I don't hate you for being an idiot, I just don't respect you.

Garry or should I say Frank from Balerno - if scoot were such a threat why are they still so small - take the blinkers off fool


Tuk-tuks and pedicabs are a threat to (though will never replace) PHC and taxi's alike - so why are you still sitting here sniping - that's right you're no longer involved in the hire and reward business. You're wasting our taxes that you claim as jobseekers allowance- go and get a job. Given your track record, it'll tell us what industry to avoid next, as you were previously a milkman - and there's very few of them left, and according to you taxi's are dying - so give us a clue, what's next on your list

Here's a thought for the tax man, given that you're now jobless, you must have some considerable amount of cash stashed to allow you the freedom not to work - you paid tax on it all

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Keyboards and Cretins : Facts - not opinions - are the only truths

Damascus Moments - easy excuses for a sociopath

TDO the website of double standards and changing identities

TC Wrote:



Every penny

BTW did you see the letter in the Evening News some guy with the same name as me giving auld Alec Webster a broadside. Won't be long now TC de-restiction is on it's way, just think you will be able to work your own Taxi.

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

Jim, as ever if the facts don't fit you make them up - where above did I say that (using your quote marks) "no one talking to me" - senility seems to be setting in Jim, you're putting words in peoples mouths then you copy the actual quote so people can see you're wrong If ever my tagline was appropriate for someone - it's you

You have avoided the fact that you sit silently (thankfull) in you car on the ranks these days - why? because no one respects what you have to say - no one wants to listen to your repetitive rants. I'm not scared of what you have to say - as I said even the Evening News ignores you these days, and (presumably in an effort to avoid being edited) the criminal thug says you've moved onto Talk107 - let's just see what the RAJAR figures say in August, but more importantly in October, they will be very interesting.

As for rising to the bait you're the half wit it's easy to wind up - your abscence from these forums had made me think you'd cottoned on, but no; here you are again

You are the original figure who's more to be pitied than laughed at stuck in a job you hate, respected by no-one, despised by those about you - must be just like being back as a print salesman

_________________
Keyboards and Cretins : Facts - not opinions - are the only truths

Damascus Moments - easy excuses for a sociopath

TDO the website of double standards and changing identities

Jim, as ever if the facts don't fit you make them up - where above did I say that (using your quote marks) "no one talking to me" - senility seems to be setting in Jim, you're putting words in peoples mouths then you copy the actual quote so people can see you're wrong If ever my tagline was appropriate for someone - it's you

Now let me see. Did you write this?

"sits in his cab, being quietly ignored by everyone".

Yup. You certainly did. So, I didn't quote you exactly, but the tenet was spot on. Oh, I know. You were writing about yourself in senility.

You have avoided the fact that you sit silently (thankfull (sic)) in you (sic) car on the ranks these days - why? because no one respects what you have to say - no one wants to listen to your repetitive rants.

Eh, you're confusing me with someone who gives a sh.t. You just kinda haven't got it. I really don't give a toss about you or anyone else in the trade who is intent on maintaining the status quo. I'm in the business of change. I'm shaking the very ground beneath your feet. You got a fifty grand licence plate. I'm in the business of taking this from you. You don't want to listen, then when it happens you're gonna get a surprise.

I'm not scared of what you have to say - as I said even the Evening News ignores you these days, and (presumably in an effort to avoid being edited) the criminal thug says you've moved onto Talk107 - let's just see what the RAJAR figures say in August, but more importantly in October, they will be very interesting.

Methinks you're too insensitive to be scared anyway. But you should be truly afraid. Because guys like you, who have ignored market pressures for far too long, as you've been able to protect your vested interest, well your days are coming to a close. You see, the public are now becoming energised. And they're hacked off with high taxi tariffs. They know that guys like you are ripping them off. And, knowing you're accruing a nice little nest egg in your licence plate, and knowing that no other licence plate is allowed to be traded and accrue such an artificial value, they're gonna reach into your pram and take it from you. That's what the public does to upstarts who get too big for their boots and rip them off.

Anyway, what would you know about my relationship with the News? How do you know that I'm not a plant? An employee paid to stir things up?

As it happens, my conversion ratio with the News has never been higher.

I'm also going to enjoy a nice wee long weekend in a top quality MacDonald Country Hotel courtesy of the Daily Express thanks to my contributions. I send it one day. They usually publish the next. Have a wee look tomorrow, you never know. If not then, keep buying, it will happen.

As for "criminal thug"? Perhaps you should ponder, if this were really true, just what such a person could do to a foolish individual who would wind such a person up?

As for rising to the bait you're the half wit it's easy to wind up - your abscence (sic) from these forums had made me think you'd cottoned on, but no; here you are again

Yeah, and when it suits me I'll be back again. There is NOTHING you can do to influence this. How does it feel to know that you are impotent?

You are the original figure who's more to be pitied than laughed at stuck in a job you hate, respected by no-one, despised by those about you - must be just like being back as a print salesman

"Respected by no one"? I doubt you even knew what respect was until I told you I didn't respect you in my post. You can't even be original. You read it, had a wee rush of blood to the head, and regurgitated it without any literary thought or real context. What a saddo.

Despised? So I meet my maker with a few selfish people not liking me? I won't be the first. I suspect I won't be bothered. Those who love me will do the needful. Those who hate me will just eat away at their own souls, the poorer as human beings for the hatred and jealousy they harbour. Either way, it's a win-win situ for me. So, bring it on.

Hate the job? Not at all. As I've said before there is much to commend it. It is probably the closest most of us will ever get to show business. We have a small audience whom we generally get on well with, even entertain.

It's only numpties in the trade itself which pain me. Owners who are too greedy, and servile drivers who, masochistically, help preserve the status quo through ignorance and the fear to move outside the "comfort" zone granted to them by the same owners and Council who are ripping them off.

As for a print salesman? I suspect only a few individuals would remember a detail like this, or be bothered enough to introduce it on a forum like this. This speaks volumes about you, the fact that you hide behind anonymity and sadly are too scared to properly identify yourself.

Me, I've never been afraid to hide behind what I say. I value my opinion, I express it to bring about the kind of quality taxi trade I want to work in, and which I know would bring about real benefits for those who actually do the work in the trade, not just those who sit on their fannies, protecting the status quo, protecting their own gravy train, and would rip us off for as long as we let them.

At least in my commercial career I garnered enough understanding about operating in a free market to recognise its value to those working in our trade, and the customers it's supposed to serve. That's why I don't fear such an eventuality, why I embrace it and am excited about the opportunities it is going to bring all of us. I just can't wait - which is why I sometimes seem a bit impatient.

Eh, I think that's you I'm talking about torn casualty (or a salty c--t).

Kinda apt don't you think?

[/b]

Oh you rise beautifully to the bait everytime. The point with the quote was that you put it in quotes, when you were undeniably paraphrasing. But then in paraphrasing, the meaning can be altered. But then you regularly alter the meaning of the what people say, and then quote it as fact, and here you did it again.

Truth be told I haven't read most of what you've written above, there is more to life than reading your rants - but what does amuse me most is the anagram of my name - if you were that clever with anagrams you would have worked out the real origin of my screen name

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Keyboards and Cretins : Facts - not opinions - are the only truths

Damascus Moments - easy excuses for a sociopath

TDO the website of double standards and changing identities

Like I'm supposed to care?