Taxi Driver Online

Raw nerve

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

Yes mate very raw ....................... it pi$$es me off when people who don't know whats going on here criticise either me or others for trying to change things.

The taxi trade here is not the same as the taxi trade in Newcastle ................. so the chance of it being the same anywhere else is very remote ................ although you'd like to think it was.

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.

I think the most logical solution for anyone complaining about the lack of financial remuneration in a job, is to find a job that offers better financial prospects. After all, no one forces any person to become a Taxi Driver.

It's common knowledge that for years you've been trying to convince Gateshead council to have a survey and restrict numbers but to no avail. I can't blame you for that because that is part and parcel of our democratic system.

The fact is that you now realise that your strategy to control hackney carriage proprietor licenses by way of restriction has failed and will never happen. You have ultimately come around to Skulls way of thinking and joined his camp of quality controls in order to try and restrict entry into the Gateshead Taxi trade.

You still push out the quantity control boat, advocating it as the best system, yet you can no longer push that particular boat out in Gateshead because the council won't ware it.

I suggest if you need to blame your financial plight on the council, when in effect they provide a level playing field, then you need a change of employment.

JD

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Copyright notice © The contents of this post are copyright of JD and are not to be reproduced outside of TDO without written permission.

I wasn't complaining about what I do ............ I was responding to the allegation that I somehow has a empire.



The fact that the issuance Hackney Carriage plates in Gateshead is suspended, and has been for over 6 months has quite obviously escaped you ................... you know sometimes its like more than one person uses the JD login details.



Thats a fooking stupid response JD .............. have you been on something or what.

What about the blokes up here in £12K worth of debt for their Fiat Doblo WAV's which are being valued at £4000 when the boys try to hand them back ......................... this is your so called market force deciding upon numbers of taxis.

Market forces determine PRICE not availablity ........................ but stupid, jealous, greedy basturds like you want everyone in the world to have a plate if they want one ..................... the pie is only so big, and the more people taking a bite means smaller mouthfuls.

Tell me JD ................... how much did you take in your cab last week .................... I'm not talking about any offtakes off .................. how much money was handed through your window last week????????????

B. Lucky

Gateshead will have QUALITY and Quantity controls ....................... thats if they take the duty of care they have to the Public of Gateshead seriously.

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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.

You complained you were struggling. Skull never mentioned your financial status, did he? When he mentioned Empire was he not referring to your supposed political empire as regional secretary of the GMB? However it's pleasing to read your comments that you have no complaints about Taxi driving in Gateshead.



Yes I know that but the reason why licenses have been suspended, is because Gateshead council are looking at tightening up their quality controls in line with other authorities, throughout the country. That's the only reason they have suspended licenses and as soon as they have played catch up, it will be back to square one.

That report is due to be published pretty soon and the first line is likely to read "The purpose of these recommendations are to bring Gateshead council in line with the majority of Taxi licensing authorities in the United Kingdom in respect of quality controls."

The fact is that the suspension of licenses in Gateshead has nothing whatsoever to do with implementing a new policy of quality control and you know it. Then again, you have never said that was their aim. I Just thought I'd put the record straight in case anyone gets the wrong impression about why Gateshead aren't issuing vehicle licenses, at this moment in time.



I thought we were talking specifically about "YOU" not the blokes up there in Gateshead? I suppose they are quite capable of talking for themselves.

Can't comment on individual owners circumstances, if any individual gets themselves in debt then they have obviously made a wrong decision somewhere down the line? I suppose no one forces them to drive a cab.



I wasn't aware Gateshead was restricted? I must admit, you're very feisty tonight, was it something I said? lol

If I was a greedy basturd as you put it, would I not wan't plates restricted? I find your comments quite absurd.

It is well publicised that I want "Driver quality controls" and that means anyone driving a cab has to undergo a STRINGENT and COMPREHENSIVE accessibility test. lol



And I suppose you have hand picked the people who you deem worthy of sharing that cake? That's very democratic of you?

So who gets to own and drive a cab? "The man with the biggest wallet" or the man who meets the required standard?

Let's face it, you failed to convince Gateshead council to re regulate cabs by quantity control and now you are using the only other option of quality control and that's exactly the position advocated by the Skull. Whether you like it or not you're in the skull camp and that must really pizzz you off? lol



LOTS.



Well I can assure you that the Gateshead LO will be putting forward about 22 quality controls recommendations and if you haven't had them by now I can assure you that you will be getting them pretty soon.

I guess that about sums it up. Welcome to the quality control camp.

Regards

JD

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Copyright notice © The contents of this post are copyright of JD and are not to be reproduced outside of TDO without written permission.

JD,

I must say that you haven't got a clue what your going on about, with regard Gateshead anyway.

There are, in fact 36 policy changes due for implementation, the temporary restriction was in place before the policy changes had been determined, the policy changes WILL put Gateshead in the position where our quality standards are set higher than neighbouring authorities and the standards of entry which will include driver training and possibly the DSA test will ensure that professional standards are introduced to Gateshead.

The temporary suspension is required because, as you know our Town Centre is due to be demolished and majorly redeveloped, with further developments still being undertaken around Gateshead Quays.

It is also worthy of note that only 2 of our PH operations are still recruiting drivers, the fact that the others have a restriction of numbers (to ensure driver takings) is a fact that is quite obviously beyond your observations of the area in which I work.

Your claims that I'm not aware of the policy changes shows why your post and suggestions should be treated with contempt ................ this is because I was involved in their implementation, indeed at a meeting of Gateshead's "Taxi Working Party" the owner of Gatesheads largest PH operation suggested that the changes were "pandering to the demands of the Hackney Carriage industry", and "no changes were really needed to the councils policies" and that "if standards were raised to high the council would force us to licence vehicles and drivers with other authorities".

We lead these calls for quality controls and urged the council to take back the control of Taxi Licensing and use the fees we pay to properly enforce our conditions ............. new and old.

You also failed to mention in your expert synopsis of Gateshead that we have just had an interim fare rise agreed, so watch the PH operators put up their prices while the cost for hiring a HC stays (as it has done for 2 years) the same. You see your claims that the so called Taxi Barons exploit the trade pale into insignificance when compared with the ever increasing charges PH operators make to their drivers.

The fact that we are achieving something in Gateshead really pi$$es you off don't it ..................... still its working and the council are retaking control ............... thank god.

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.

So there are 36 changes, which is more than the 20 odd that the LO told me there might be and which I made public several weeks ago.

At that time the LO hadn't finalised the proposed changes but when he did he was going back to the cab trade for their views and the final considerations. Are your telling us the amendments have now been finalised and are due for implementation, that would suggest the LO's report has gone before the committee and passed, or you are just assuming it will be passed in its entirety? I did state several weeks ago that the LO hoped to finalise the report by May, furthermore I do not doubt that it won't be past in its entirety but until it is. it will not be official.



The LO informed me that once these new quality controls had been passed the suspension on license applications would be lifted. We shall see?



I suppose it is beyond your comprehension that the council has not, nor cannot, suspend private hire licenses, therefore what individual private hire firms do, is neither here no there. If a person or persons want to start up their own private hire business they do not need the assistance of an established private hire firm. However, that information is interesting and probably worthy of debate on its own.



lol here you go again inserting your own interpretation on what I did not say.

I actually said this

"Well I can assure you that the Gateshead LO will be putting forward about 22 quality controls recommendations and if you haven't had them by now I can assure you that you will be getting them pretty soon. "

Like I said, if you haven't had them by now".

I can't see any similarity in that statement and your wrongful accusation, which stated I said, "you weren't aware of any policy changes."

Being on record in the past as saying you are aware of such policy changes puts this recent misrepresentation firmly in its place.



We are all aware of your input into these proposed changes so that makes your comments even more fanciful.



Isn't that what Skull advocates? Perhaps you're closer to the Skull on these issues than you think? lol



I wasn't aware we were discussing fare rises but if it was something you wanted to mention then you found an opportunity for doing so.



When did I claim that?

In all my time on TDO I can't recall ever using the word "Taxi baron"in order to describe a Taxi Baron? It's not a word I use, however if you can show me where I said that, then I will obviously hold my hands up?

I don't think I have ever discussed the connection between Taxi Barons as you call it and trade exploitation? Are you sure you don't mean so-called taxi Barons and driver exploitation or are they one and the same in your opinion? I have spoken about people manoeuvring themselves into prominent trade positions to further their own ends at the expense of others, I suppose that might well fit into your reference about trade exploitation?

You would never harbour such thoughts of exploitation would you? After all, you were elected unanimously to represent people who come from all aspects of the trade. However the majority, by some margin, are owner-drivers and it is their opinions you are mandated to propose.



Why would it pizz me off? If you haven't noticed I have been advocating councils practice high standards of quality controls for a very long time. In fact I was informing them of such on a regular basis through the updated quota list. I find your comment rather odd, however it is nice to see Gateshead finally admitting that their quality control standards needed a face-lift.

I am sure we all wish Gateshead well in implementing their new standards but who do we have to thank for that? Is it Gateshead council? Is it the local Taxi organisations? or is it the influence and guidance of TDO? lol

Regards

JD

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Copyright notice © The contents of this post are copyright of JD and are not to be reproduced outside of TDO without written permission.

Just when you though you'd heard everything .................. JD comes out with a claim that he is partially responsible for work that has been done in an area he has seldom, if ever visited.

I have been calling for higher standards through 3 LO's ................ I have had 2 complaints through the Best Value Officer regarding the policies of the council and through persistence got to the stage where the changes I have called for for many years (it started during the time of TTFUK).

Our current LO is a honest and committed bloke .................... and he's not afraid of making proposals he believes in.

We will end up with the temporary suspension being lifted, I'm under no illusions that it will ever become permanent, but with the demolition of our town centre imminent and the amount of redevelopment work currently still in the early stages I believe that the suspension should be in place until such time as these redevelopments are completed.

I believe in what I'm doing ................. I believe in what the council are doing ................... and that's because its based on common sense and simple mathematics.

Whats amazing is that you claim that what is happening in Gateshead is the TDO way ....................... but I'm dealing with a authority you want to see have the responsibility of taxi licensing removed from them.

But then hypocrisy and cowardice are your personal strong points .............. try telling people the truth instead of lying knowing you cannot be identified.

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.

lol Hey! I only asked a question, I didn't claim anything. I don't know who's responsible for Gateshead's sudden realisation that Quality controls are the way to go, do you? I only know you are a convert to the TDO doctrine that quality controls are preferable to quantity controls. If TDO has influenced you're thinking in any way in respect of quality controls then obviously it deserves a mention. lol

Or are you saying you prefer both quantity controls and quality controls in Gateshead?



I see, so it wasn't TDO who influenced you? lol



Yes, he seems a very nice chap, is he anti quantity control, he gave me the impression he is very pro quality control?



So does this mean you have abandoned your fight for the council to re-introduce quantity controls?



Well of course, as you well know, TDO believes in quality controls over quantity controls and isn't that the road Gateshead is travelling down?



Well, that is my opinion and mine alone I have never said TDO wants to see the removal of councillors from the licensing system but I certainly do.



lol getting personal are we? Kitchen getting a little hot 4 u, is it? lol

Regards

JD

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Copyright notice © The contents of this post are copyright of JD and are not to be reproduced outside of TDO without written permission.

You see quality comes from investment .................. investments are only made by sensible people if they can be assured of a return on their investment.

That investment may be monetry or it may just be time ............... but investment is required to enter any trade or profession .............. we should be no different.

My belief is quite simple ................... what we need is the right people driving the right number of vehicles.

So its a mixture of quality and quantity controls for me ................... thats if we are ever going to get the right people making the right investment.

Same argument different thread ..................... its getting boring ............... but its nice to know that we both believe in restrictions and that the main restriction should be financial.

I have continually invested ................ why shouldn't everyone do the same as me.

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.

In Gateshead there would seem to be no prospect of quantity controls, even after all your years of trying to persuade the council otherwise. Hence my question asking if you had now abandoned your quest for quantity controls and concentrated soley on quality controls?

However, your reply citing a mixture of both quantity and quality controls answers my question and it would seem you haven't abandoned the quest for the re-introduction of quantity controls in Gateshead after all?

Regards

JD

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Copyright notice © The contents of this post are copyright of JD and are not to be reproduced outside of TDO without written permission.

Will that mean you will be charging £1.05 from the bus stops into town?

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IDFIMH

GA wrote:

No, your belief is about controlling a market to build your own empire.

And “the right people driving the right number of vehicles” has nothing to do with it.

You want division and control, and if that means self-imposed quality controls and a limit put on vehicle numbers, then so be it. You want a divided trade, not a united trade, because a united trade wouldn’t serve your purpose. A free market where everyone is equal would stifle your ambitions. A free market level playing field would mean you having to compete with everyone on the same level. You would be only seen as part of the herd and not one of the elite attempting to build an empire on the backs of others. Anyone entering the trade would'nt be under GA control.

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

GA, my reference to your empire building was based on your -follow me, and I will lead you to the Promised Land routine.

You will do almost anything to ingratiate yourself with your local authority. You seize at almost any opportunity to beat on fellow cabbies. You see yourself as judge, jury, and executioner. You rush to grab the moral high. You look to empower yourself at the expense of others. And your well worn rhetoric has been used to further the cause of many a megalomaniac throughout the ages. You are not new to the taxi trade GA, far from it.

The taxi trade is the same the country over GA. Its problems on the ground may differ but the little men looking to get fat off the backs of others are all the same. Even to the point they all sound the same.

I have watch and seen it with my own eyes over many years.

You think that everyone is there to serve your cause and if that means selling everyone out in the process, you will find a way to justify it.

You see everyone as being there to serve your political and financial aspirations. You want power and recognition.

Not that there is anything wrong with having ambition. But any good you may do on the way up the political or financial ladder is more of an accident than a deliberate attempt at improving things for all concerned.

A free market level playing field scares you shi* less. And this is why you pander to the council. You see the only way to build your empire is getting into bed with those who can help you build it.

Save your "all for the good of the trade" routine for those who can't see through your little scam.

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

Its a statement of fact Skull ................ please explain why you would think I would write something I didn't believe in.


Your a strange chap Skull ............. your opinion of me is quite obviously tainted by others who have hidden agendas .................. what you see and read is what you get from me mate.

I compete with 335 other people in a town no bigger than a suburb of your city every day ................ I'm still here ................. would you be?

To be honest I have done nothing on the back of anyone .............. in fact more people have ridden on my back to get what they want.

Anyway .................. on the topic of quality controls ................... what exactly have you either proposed or would like to see introduced to bring higher quality standards to your area ...................... cause all I hear you bleating on about is getting yourself another plate to sell.

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.