Taxi Driver Online

You don't need to find out Stinky ............... most councils have a garage with ramps and other facilities required for MOT testing. If they don't already, they could employ a MOT tester and brief him with the local requirements. The council could then issue a certificate of compliance (which is a MOT) and no third party needs to be included.

This is what happens in many areas so there is no reason why it couldn't happen in yours.

B. Lucky

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"Here's a simple solution. If you don't want to pay more for a premium service then wait in the queue, problem solved".
Skull on TDO

TF pi$$ed on his chips.

The only guidance I follow is my own, if Government issues guidance I agree with then I may endorse it. If it issues guidance I don't agree with then I won't endorse it. Only yes men blindly endorse everything! Such as the idiots who coined the phrase "councils know best".

I quote what's in the public domain such as your lot saying "councils know best" then when councils don't make the decision you expect them to make you retract that statement and take the opposite view. Experience tells us that the wisest thing to do if you don't want your words to come back and haunt you, is keep your gob shut!

You won't hear me or many others on this forum apart from your motley crew "saying councils know best" because we know better. That statement by Kavanagh and reiterated by every Taxi association in the country which favoured quantity controls has well and truly come back to haunt them on at least 53 seperate occasions.

So if your going to throw accusations around make sure you know what your talking about otherwise you will end up eating your words just like Kavanagh and co.

Tell me this, what position in the NWTA has Mr Jones given himself, is it Secretary, Chairman? or both?

And just for your beneifit and anyone else who doesn't know? I am on record as saying "I want Taxi licensing taken out of council control" and that has "always been my position".

JD

I won't have to eat my words mate, the focus our council has taken is properly managed high quality service.

What you endorse is a free for all which only leads to lower standards.

Do you want the salt and pepper.

B. Lucky

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"Here's a simple solution. If you don't want to pay more for a premium service then wait in the queue, problem solved".
Skull on TDO

TF pi$$ed on his chips.

My most abiding memory of GA's years on various forums is his constant moanings about Gateshead council.

Now, they know best, apparently

Like the T&G, they only 'know best' when it suits.

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

Thank you for pointing out that the process of change has taken many years.

The council were being bombarded from people trying to bully the council in a certain direction which benefited them through mailshots containing flawed and inaccurate information intended to further confuse issues, which led to a increase in numbers but a decrease in standards..

All of this needed to be discounted for the rubbish it was.

We then made proposals to council which were adopted or sent for appraisal, this process is ongoing.

Gateshead Council have recognised their own shortcomings and identified shortcomings within the trade as a result ........... they are now keen to change their policies to seek a way to form policies which ensure best possible service from the vehicles and drivers they licence.
In turn the drivers have acknowledged their own shortcomings and have agreed to work with the council to achieve the high standards our public should expect.

B. Lucky

_________________
"Here's a simple solution. If you don't want to pay more for a premium service then wait in the queue, problem solved".
Skull on TDO

TF pi$$ed on his chips.

We shall have to wait and see what Gateshead come up with? I have no doubt that their intention is to implement higher quality controls on drivers and I suspect vehicles. You are obviously aware that Myself, Dusty and Sussex have been pushing for the emphasis to be placed on quality driver standards rather than quantity controls. I see you have now come around to that way of thinking?

I can't comment on what Gateshead might do with their current policy of no quantity controls but it is worth reminding you that for at least three years you have been pressurising Gateshead to restrict numbers and so far you have been unsuccessful. Whether or not your new strategy will produce the goods remains to be seen?

Regards

JD

Would you like to phone Gateshead Council tomorrow on 01914333000 and ask to make an application for a Hackney Carriage vehicle licence.

I think you will find that they will tell tell you that you cannot as a temporary restriction is in place.

I would also add that a similar restriction was in place in Newcastle for a considerable length of time before re-regulation was introduced along with higher standards.

Consultation is continuing and the only thing I know is that a properly managed service is the intention of all sides.

B. Lucky

_________________
"Here's a simple solution. If you don't want to pay more for a premium service then wait in the queue, problem solved".
Skull on TDO

TF pi$$ed on his chips.

I have always argued for higher standards, I don't agree with paying for plates as this reduces standards and I don't believe in a free for all policy as this has proven to produce the same.

The only differance between your arguments and mine is that you believe the councils should have little or no control whereas I believe that they should have more control, particularly by ensuring that the RIGHT NUMBER of vehicles are licensed.

Never mind though ................ you lot seem to get off on berating certain people, so I'm glad your happy.

B. Lucky

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"Here's a simple solution. If you don't want to pay more for a premium service then wait in the queue, problem solved".
Skull on TDO

TF pi$$ed on his chips.

How do you know what change is forthcoming when the council haven't even decided themselves?




Was this bombardment before, Gateshead removed numbers control or after? And who did the council say was bombarding them with mailshots? Seems highly suspicious to bombard a council that does not restrict numbers? Perhaps you mean the bombardment was coming from those who wanted to re-restrict?

Did the person who informed you of this bombardment elaborate?



So you read all the mail shots? Thats interesting. Maybe I should send them a mailshot of my own, what do you think?



Yes the report is published on TDO and it will be interesting to see what becomes of it?



By shortcomings do you mean their own inability to apply appropriate qaulity driver standards when they removed quantity vehicle controls?



Ah! So they do realise their past failures? Hindsight is a wonderful thing?



So drivers have shortcomings, such as what for instance?

Regards

JD

How do you know what change is forthcoming when the council haven't even decided themselves?

I don't know what the future holds, otherwise I'd be spending my lottery winnings.



Was this bombardment before, Gateshead removed numbers control or after? And who did the council say was bombarding them with mailshots? Seems highly suspicious to bombard a council that does not restrict numbers? Perhaps you mean the bombardment was coming from those who wanted to re-restrict?

Did the person who informed you of this bombardment elaborate?


No they just found it amusing.


So you read all the mail shots? Thats interesting. Maybe I should send them a mailshot of my own, what do you think?


Don't think it would do much good, they don't take to kindly to being told what to do from people who only know where Gateshead is.



Yes the report is published on TDO and it will be interesting to see what becomes of it?

Is it ............... I can't find it. Maybe that's because no report has been written yet.

By shortcomings do you mean their own inability to apply appropriate qaulity driver standards when they removed quantity vehicle controls?


Partially, they didn't maintain enough control on more than one matter.



Ah! So they do realise their past failures? Hindsight is a wonderful thing?

Indeed it is, but hindsight has never changed anything without the will for change.



So drivers have shortcomings, such as what for instance?

Oh many things ...................... way to many to mention.

Personal Hygiene ............ vehicle cleanliness ............. a grasp of the language etc etc etc.



I take it your going to ring for a vehicle application tomorrow then.


B. Lucky

_________________
"Here's a simple solution. If you don't want to pay more for a premium service then wait in the queue, problem solved".
Skull on TDO

TF pi$$ed on his chips.

So that's just a long-winded way of agreeing with me - councils don't always know best?

So you're contradicting yourself.

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

What kind of stuff are you on about, and why was it rubbish?

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

Just to answer TDO's last two points.

People contact councils and offer their own opinion.

Some offer personally gathered information which is not entirely accurate and pass it off as factual evidence.

The council then have to take all of this information and then interpret government advice in order to reach a decision. Please bear in mind that some unscrupulous people minipulate information to try and trick people into thinking that their ideals are adopted by the council.

All we have done is persistantly told the council that the decisions made locally are best made by the local authority concerned.

So you can see there is no contradiction on my part.

On the other hand I notice that some people claim that they support this and that when all they have done for years is claim that councils should take no other action than to remove limits regarding numbers .......... with a constant underlined threat that it is what the government has told them to do, indeed their argument has been based on taking the power away from the local authority.

B. Lucky

_________________
"Here's a simple solution. If you don't want to pay more for a premium service then wait in the queue, problem solved".
Skull on TDO

TF pi$$ed on his chips.

You've only been on here a few days and you're already confused?

Seeing as how you have a forgetful memory, here is what you said.



And here is what I said?

Yes the report is published on TDO and it will be interesting to see what becomes of it?

And just for your benefit, here is that report.

http://www.taxi-driver.co.uk/phpBB2/vie ... php?t=4339

JD

Can anyone contact councils or do they need your permission first? lol



Here's some accurate information, digest that?

http://taxi-driver.co.uk/quotalas.pdf
.....................................................................

JD