Taxi Driver Online

I suspect we previously highlighted this article on TDO but I came across it during research into those carrying on the practice of unlicensed hire or reward.
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Stretch limos seized in crackdown

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6219972.stm

Stretch limousine

Limousine drivers are not subject to Criminal Record Bureau checks Some 20 drivers were reported for more than 80 motoring offences during a crackdown on stretch limousines being used as a front for organised crime.

Forty-seven stretch limousines were stopped in a two-day operation on 17 and 18 November, the Met Police said.

Eight vehicles with "serious defects" were taken off the road in west London.

Earlier, during the first UK-wide operation targeting limousines, police uncovered crimes such as drug dealing and money laundering.

We have seen, on a number of occasions, some pretty unsavoury people driving or inside these vehicles
Chief Supt Geraint Anwyl

Inspector Barry Bishop said: "Stretch limousines are often used to celebrate special occasions and the safety of these vehicles is rarely considered."

He said police were committed to "tackling drivers and operators of limousines who continue to drive unlicensed and unsafe vehicles causing danger to its passengers and other road users".

The motoring offences the 20 drivers were reported for included driving without a licence, insurance and MoT, and with a variety of vehicle defects.

More than 20 forces across the UK have been targeting the unregulated industry over the past month.

Chief Supt Geraint Anwyl, chairman of the National Roads Policing Intelligence Forum - which led the operation - said: "Our concerns are that with every passing day the possibility of these vehicles falling apart increases significantly.

"It won't be long before we see the contents of these vehicles being spilt out onto one of our roads."

'Unsavoury people'

Drivers were not subject to normal Criminal Record Bureau checks, he said.

"We have seen, on a number of occasions, some pretty unsavoury people driving or inside these vehicles who wouldn't normally be in a position where they'd be able to be with young children in party situations."

The National Limousine Association - set up to bring some regulation to the industry - says it knows the industry has been infiltrated by people who are using it for illegal purposes.

The association says it wants the illegality to stop so that legal, reputable companies can get on with their job.
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and this lot back the self drive scam

So the NLA try their best to make it even easier for the bad guys to work via the self-drive scam.

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IDFIMH

Same old, same old. BOING

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Grandad,

Is there an echo in here?

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IDFIMH

What are you and your like going to do about it then?

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IDFIMH

You know very well what we are doing about it. We keep telling you. Both associations are working with the authorities to get proper legislation to suit the industry. Now is there some part of this that you don't understand?
I would say that it is going in one ear and out of the other, but that would imply that there is nothing in between the ears to stop the information passing through. So maybe the fault lies in the fact that information just doesn't get in through your ears or eyes in the first place.

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Grandad,

So when there are 100s of unlicesed limos being driven by hundreds of un-checked un-licensed drivers you think a chat with the minister is doing enough?

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IDFIMH

Until there are either sucessfull prosecutions of people operating the self drive system then it is legal.

Maybe you have a constructive answer to the percieved problem that you could put forward to the minister.

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Grandad,

I suppose you could suggest an admendment to the 1976 act which would allow 8-16 seater limos to be licensed as PH.

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IDFIMH

Maybe we have tried that and maybe we were told "no" but please feel free to put forward this idea again.

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Grandad,

Grandad there is another meeting of minds scheduled for this month, licensing officers, Association's that represent both hackney and private hire and unions, and the idea is to jointly put forward changes, I don't believe anybody from the limo associations has expressed an interest, I can certainly put you in torch.

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Justice for the 96. It has only taken 27 years...........repeat the same lies for 27 years and the truth sounds strange to people!

Well that would be the easy route, although I'm not sure the best for the taxi/PH trade, and if the gov have binned that then it's going to be a long hard struggle.

But we still go back to the fact we have 100s of un-licensed limos being driven by 100s of un-licensed un-checked drivers.

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IDFIMH

So you acknowledge that the system sucks then and acknowledge you dont want us licensed in the taxi/ph trade as its not best for you or indeed us, so what and how exactly do you want us fookin well licensed as, now you can see why us limo ops have been banging our heads against a brick wall!!!!!!

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Legal and proud

Loads a love from BERTIE !!

If the limo trade can only work illegally then it shouldn't work.

I can't see how anyone can defend illegal activities.

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IDFIMH