Taxi Driver Online

Crime Threat to Taxi Trade – Better Regulation Needed


SNP MSP Stuart McMillan has today called for a cap on licenses for the private hire taxi industry after increasing reports of private hire taxis in the west of Scotland being used as a front for criminal activities.

Mr McMillan is asking the Scottish Government to look into the licensing system with a view to tightening regulations on private hire licences and giving local authorities more powers to limit the number of licenses.

Speaking as he published a paper looking into the lack of controls on taxi licensing Mr McMillan said;

"There are real concerns amongst genuine taxi drivers, particularly in the west of Scotland, that the regulations are too lenient and that criminal gangs are infiltrating the taxi trade, using it as a cover for illegal activities.

"There is very little in the way of regulation for private hire taxis and I will be writing to the Justice Secretary asking him to look into introducing a cap on private hire licenses just as there is for black cab licenses.

"It is not the fault of local authorities or the police that taxis are being targeted. They do not have the powers needed to operate effectively against illegalities in this area.

"If Government gave local authorities the power to cap the number of licenses in their area it would at least be harder for those trying to exploit the industry to do so and a first step in tackling problems faced by the industry."

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IDFIMH

If your government licensed PH bases/offices then that would go a long way to get rid of the bad guys.

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IDFIMH

Oh and should anyone wish to digest the words of this MSP's report this is the link.

SNP put the Scottish PH world to right !!!!!!

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IDFIMH

Why not just licence the booking offices?

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

So if the unlimited trade is being run by gangsters, then is the MSP saying the taxi trade in Dundee, Aberdeen and the other Scottish de-limited councils are also being run by gangsters?

And what happens if they do allow a limit of PH in one area, what's stopping 100s of PH coming in from another area?

Methinks the SNP MSP should concentrate a bit more what he thinks he knows about, and leave things like the taxi/PH alone, cos there is no-doubt he knows f*** all about that.

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IDFIMH

Strangely enough, this is more of a problem in areas which have limits on hack numbers.

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

CGSA 1982
21(1) If any person -

(a) operates, or permits the operation of, a taxi within an area in respect of which its operation requires to be but is not licensed or the driver
requires to be but is not licensed; or
(b) picks up passengers in, or permits passengers to be picked up by, a
private hire car within an area in respect of which its operation requires
to be but is not licensed or the driver requires to be but is not licensed, that person shall be guilty of an offence and liable, on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding £2,500.
(2) Subsection (1) above does not apply to the operation of a taxi or private hire car within an area in respect of which its operation or its driver is not licensed if the request for its hiring was received by its driver (otherwise than in a public place from the person to be conveyed in it, or a person acting on his behalf, for a journey beginning there and then) whilst -
(a) in the area or in that part thereof in respect of which its operation and
its driver are licensed;
(b) engaged on hire on a journey which began in that area or part or will
end there; or
(c) returning to that area or part immediately following completion of a
journey on hire.

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

I think that is very open to abuse, and would love to know how many prosecutions there have been over that part of the act.

I doubt many.

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IDFIMH

As you say, not many prosecutions due to the difficulty in gathering evidence and a lack of interest from the police.

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

Sussex stop throwing your toys out of the pram, if it where not for nearly all the councils in the Uk restricting taxi numbers over the years, there would not be as many PH cluttering up the streets, and in some area's they are total mobile sheds how the hell some of them get through an MOT test is beyond me.
Both Governements should restrict PH numbers and licence the offices and the sooner the better and impose an age limit on the cars to a maximum 5 years from first registration
I know that you keep a tight ship Sussex but in most area's they dont
And any MP or MSP who decides enough is enough gets my vote every time

I believe it is as unfair to drivers to restrict PH numbers as it is to restrict taxi numbers.

But my main point is that I don't think it can be done, but I would love to see your gov try.

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IDFIMH

In an ideal world there would be no PRIVATE HIRE! Just Taxi's!!
They should abolish PH and let them have HACK plates but under the same conditions as current Taxi's!
Just my thought though!

I disagree. Restricting PH is as bad an idea as restricting Hacks. Proper licencing of offices (both PH and Hack) is what is required. That way we can keep the shadier characters out.

Maximum age is BS also. Some motors are sheds at 3 years, others immaculate at 12 years. Vehicle condition is far more important. Decent quality control will ensure a decent standard of vehicle. If an area has poor quality vehicles then the council need to tighten up their standards.

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