Taxi Driver Online

Its because Joe public can mistake phc's and minicabs for private cars and that would encourage more private cars to use bus lanes. You know the idea, If he can do it so can I.

But two thirds of UK taxis that are saloon vehicles are allowed to use the bus lanes.

But even if they were all black cabs, isn't the reason there are bus lane cameras is to catch and fine the wrong do'ers?

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IDFIMH

Whether we like it or not the simple fact is that there are more saloon vehicles licensed as Taxis in England and Wales than there are purpose built vehicles. With that in mind perhaps the argument for and against allowing licensed Taxi/P/H saloon vehicles the use of bus lanes should be a little more balanced.

The use of bus lanes is down to the local council and there are still many authorities who prohibit Taxis and P/H hire vehicles from using them. Many councils outside London are in the process of taking over enforcement of bus lanes from the police by way of an "Approved Authorities Order", this will mean even more cameras registering our every move. However, in respect of bus lanes cameras will be able to distinguish between licensed Taxis or P/H and other types of vehicles. The imposition of cameras will drastically weaken the argument for prohibiting P/H vehicles from bus lanes in those areas where purpose built taxis are prevalent.

I think regardless of our own personal opinion we should sometimes look at reality and try and see beyond our own personal prejudice. I don't plan on second guessing what councils may or may not do, all I know is that the use of bus lane Cameras will make a powerful argument for those private hire associations who press for the same bus lane privileges, as Taxis.

Regards

JD

Saloon car taxis are distinguishable by a large glowing taxi sign that the majority of private hire cars do not have. Joe public can recognise a local taxi be it a tx1, metrocab, eurocab or saloon car. PHC's are more discreet.

My post assumed all Taxi and most Private hire vehicles were distinguishable by the plate on the back of their vehicle. I suspect there may be a handful of authorities that don't require a plate on the back of a P/H vehicle but I could be wrong on that point.

Regards

JD

vehicle id not a problem re congestion charge;what is a problemis blackcabs not normally available for 80% of Londoners particularly after 2am;many bus lanes are 24hr,therefore all our passengers discriminated against;what has been noticed is that these people vote in the Mayoral elections and Ken dont want TEL and the GMB spouting on about it does he? or witholding our substantial support and contributions to his campaign does.Some of our passengers have to attend hospital for dialyisis etc.the transport supplied by the authorities the journey is often quicker by black cab due to the availability of bus lanes to it.The passenger has no choice of vehicle allocated many find PHV saloons more comfortable than the TXwhatever and arnt happy about the discrimination they suffer.TFL are now recognising that the geographical spread of PHV vehicles will not cause bus lane congestion given this scenario my members are stating catergorically that Ken must get on with it the black cab objections to our access are being proved spurious i wont comment on their motivation for the time being.

Thanks for that, I'll send you a comma and full stop for christmas.

80% of Minicabs are about accesable as the LTDA will ever be to Minicabs.

The Rover Metro's from Harringay cars, Vauxhall astra saloons and Premier's Smart Cars are my favourite.

I say Minicab firms discriminate against disabled passengers, when your 'mob' provide a truely 100% accessable fleet, then come back and start banging on about how unfair your finding life.

GBC, you can get a bit boring at times.
1 rover metro, big deal.
Smart car's at premier are for parcels only, not passengers, don't belive everything the LTDA publish.
Vauxhall astra, nice car, if the police can ferry people about in them, why can't we. How many time's do you get 4 passenger's in your car anyway?, not very often.
Minicab licenceing is still in it's early stage's, be patient and remember, if it wasn't for you lot it would have been done years ago.
If every other city/town can have PHV/taxi's, why not london?.

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stressed controller!!!

I think at this point I'll point out that I started as a private hire driver. I wanted parity with the taxis, I,e picking up off the street, so I sat the test and got a taxi licence. I don't have anything against phc's. I just wish they would realise that when picking off the street they are not insured. There are many phc drivers who abide by the rules, I know I did and I know many others who do. Many of my friends drive private hires so don't get mee wrong, I'm not anti PHC.

And for the record I've never been anti taxi, just anti-deadwood.

But the bit that gets me is when the likes of the LTDA just slag off LPH for the sole reason of gaining membership.

If a LPH driver does something wrong, then have a pop at him not the whole 40 odd thousand.

Licensing PH in London has been a great success, because of that there are many iffy drivers not driving on PH circuits.

Yes they might be touting, but that's not the fault of the PH trade, that's the fault of the enforcement authorities.

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IDFIMH

Agreed

Or some may say tell the truth?



No, its the fault of the few thousand criminals who do it.

I can't recall one prominent member of the Minicab trade commenting on their members who tout, why? simple it saves them paying a decent wage, so they turn a blind eye.

Once an iffy trade, always an iffy trade.

Leopards and spots come to mind.

Then why did Premier launch it as a passenger carrying vehicle a mear 3 years ago?



I'm still waiting on the proof on that, don't listen to all the rumours the GMB circulate.



Kinda discriminates against the disabled though does'nt it?
Kinda [edited by admin] up the GMB's claim that Minicabs are more accessible than a Taxi? Where does the Astra's wheelchair ramps go?



I don't recall me saying at any time they should'nt.

Leopards and spots ehh?
THis must apply to you then GBC, london taxi's were lincensed because they were a bunch of drunken vagabond's.
Wheelchair accessible?, I remember when the pco said london taxi's must be wheelchair accessible alot, not all, off london taxi driver's moaned like mad.
On my way to work today I was behind a london taxi, the driver was on the phone eating a ice lolly!!. Does it mean all taxi driver's are the same?, of corse not.
What really p*sses me of is the LTDA web site that goes on about 100's of rapes/sexual assults carried out by illegal mini cab drivers.
If a bloke tricks his way into an old grannys house and nicks her life savings by making out he was a policeman, do we call him a illegal policeman?, no we don't.
The LTDA should concentrate on looking after it's member's and stop slagging off the private hire trade.
We can all sling mud at each other if we want, but it does'nt help anybody.

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stressed controller!!!

GBC cant make if your stupid or a wind up merchant.
We dont claim to have the same accesability to the disabled as black cabs.
What we do claim is to operate outside the west end.
Touting unacceptable and the proprietors orgs LPHCA LMF and others always commenting on it as you well know.
TOCU actually ignore blatant touting to enable them to spin licenced drivers particullarly if they are from an ethnic minority and we believe entrapment is a frequent occurence by TOCU
GMB policy is unequivocal plead guilty to touting we expel you from the union be nice to see your orgs discipline its members but of course you lot are tottally pure.Some time ago Roy Ellis and Ed Thomson got in a black cab ane the thieving genius driving decide to charge an illegal extra when his passengers made themselves known to him and invited him to the PCO for a chat. I wonder if he were a member of an black cab org would they expel him.And you thought we had the monolopy on the idiots bar yourself of course. OUR DAY WILL COME!