Taxi Driver Online

August 30, 2007 Thursday

Cabbies fear free-for-all

BYLINE: Penny Coles

York Press

TAXI drivers have reiterated their fears that deregulation in York could be a disaster as the decision on the future of the trade looms closer.

A recommendation on whether to deregulate the service is to be made by City of York Council's executive members for the city strategy on Monday, September 10.

And a final decision will be made by the council's licensing and regulatory committee on Friday, November 2.

Judy Horwell, police liaison officer for the York Taxi Association, said: "Taxi drivers across the trade in York are feeling very apprehensive.

"If this goes ahead it could be disastrous for the trade as a whole.

"Taxi driving in York would become a part-time job because there simply would not be enough work for everyone as there would be so many drivers on the road.

"You would see drivers having to take two jobs because they would suffer from such a drop in income, which they would have to look for elsewhere.

"And there would be increased chaos on the roads and overcrowding at taxi ranks - just to name a few of the problems.

"The trade is very much against it and we are very much hoping the council makes no changes and just keeps things as they are."

The city council currently limits the number of hackney carriages - those that can pick up at ranks or can be hailed in the street - to 158.

But the council is under pressure from central government to remove restrictions on the number of hackney carriages and is carrying out a consultation to seek people's views. According to a city council spokesman, 124 people have completed an online survey and a mini questionnaire has been circulated to members of the taxi trade.

The spokesman said no specific details on the consultation could be given at this stage, but details will be included in the report to be issued to executive city strategy members.

The members will consider four options which include retaining the current licence restrictions; deregulating entirely, allowing any number of hackney licences to be issued; issuing a certain number of new licences as a one-off to accommodate people on the waiting list or issuing a quota of new licences every few months, until the demand is satisfied.

Dick Haswell, the city council's head of licensing and regulation, said there were many pros and cons to taxi deregulation.

Mr Haswell said: "The pros include more taxis available at peak times and having more accessible vehicles, including more wheelchair-friendly cars.

"But the cons are that existing owners could lose the value of their investment, increased pressure on available rank spaces and increasing traffic congestion and pollution."

Everyone is welcome to attend the meeting of the executive members for city strategy at the Guildhall on Monday, September 10.

A limited number of places are available for people to speak. This can be arranged by phoning the democratic service at the Guildhall on 01904 552030 during office hours between Monday, September 3, and Friday, September 7.
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Deluded or

I know lots of drivers have full-time jobs elsewhere, but I've never met a full-time driver with a part-time job outside the trade?

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

If I had to take a guess on York it would be that they remain the same. However it wouldn't surprise me if they did something entirely different?

Has anyone else got an opinion on which way the council might go?

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.

Issue 20 WAV plates a year, for three years, then review.

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IDFIMH

Sussex i think you maybe right, the Council have been told by Stn Taxis that any more cabs that come on wil not gain access to the railway stn, but will have to use the 30 odd rank spaces available on Council ranks

at one time the money from licences from taxis and PH a number of years ago went straight into the Council coffers, it was pointed out to the Council that it was illeagal, but it was assurred that this had been sorted out

so lets look at the money that goes to the taxi department, led to believe they cannot make a profit, so where does all the monies go in taxi licencing, suppose they could just hire a few more odds and sods to cover what comes in

A few letters (maybe true, maybe not) from the disabled associations saying they can't get a WAV from the station will put the wind up the train operator.

So maybe Station Taxis best keep their gobs shut.

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IDFIMH

Is my crystal ball working well?

http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/yorknew ... _plans.php

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IDFIMH

Well done, your 50% of the way there lol but you will have to wait until November the second to claim your prize.

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.

What's the prize?

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http://wingsoverscotland.com/ http://www.newsnetscotland.com/

A night out in a schedule six converted minibus.

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.

Do you think they will let him drive it himself?

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http://wingsoverscotland.com/ http://www.newsnetscotland.com/

lol thats the 64 thousand dollar question, no one knows?

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.

wot i hear is, 3-5 WAV's to go on, per year, the Council will be watching how this goes, all in black up to 4 years old and to be Euro friendly, the Council will see how this goes and what takers there are, and may discontinue it after the first year

others may have further information on this or even a different story

So York has produced a report without any input from TDO. Is that a good thing or a bad thing? 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.

Go on JD send them one, and correct them on the colour of vehicles as well while your at it.

The council could have another option open to them and that is recall all plates and re- issue them only to operators that drive