Taxi Driver Online

Newcastle taxi drivers return for second mass protest

NEWCASTLE taxi drivers descended on Berwick Borough Council's offices for a mass protest this afternoon.

The 25-strong group, all members of the Newcastle Hackney Carriage Association, had a heated face to face discussion with the council's licensing officer David Wilson.

The taxi drivers claim their livelihoods are being threatened by a flood of Berwick-registered drivers plying their trade in the city.

The number of hackney carriage licenses issued by Berwick Borough Council has increased from 46 to nearly 500 in less than two years.

It was their second visit this month and they have promised to return in greater numbers, bringing disruption to the town centre, if their protests are ignored.

Berwick Borough Council, which is being taken to the High Court by Newcastle City Council over its policy, maintains it is doing nothing illegal by issuing reduced price licences.

_________________
Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

What do Newcastle drivers want Berwick to do?

Regards

JD

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

Well it appears they want Berwick to stop licensing taxis, or put a condition on those licenses saying they can't work outside of the district.

I wonder if anyone believes that's within their legal powers.

_________________
IDFIMH

What sort of quality controls do Berwick have?

_________________

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

Breathing?

CC

_________________
Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

They could try a local knowledge test for drivers and decent vehicle standards.

_________________

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

If Berwick capped licenses to their present number would it cure the current situation in Newcastle?

Regards

JD

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

If Newcastle CC done what the BBC managed to do and prosecuted the drivers concerned that might have more effect

CC

_________________
Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

So when these local Berwick Licensed taxi's are running around Newcastle as PH vehicles . . . Do they carry roof signs with the word TAXI on them? . . . and in turn does that then allow the operator of the firm running them to call themselves a TAXI firm opposed to a PH firm?

Can the law be any more of an ass?

I dont know why they are moaning FFS its mainly Geordie's who are getting the licences due to idiotic conditions and prices imposed by Newcastle council the more the merrier I say

Yes.



No


Regards

JD

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

I was one of the drivers that decided "enough was enough" and wanted answers from Berwick Council - today was positive as it has already been on BBC Look North and is expected to be in The Evening Chronicle tomorrow.

There are numerous Private Hire firms operating with Berwick plated vehicles in Newcastle and most of them have a yellow "taxi" sign NOT Private Hire advertised.

Again, most of them have their plate blu-tacked to their rear windows - making it very difficult for anyone to see it.

Many don't even advertise the Private Hire company they are working from. (I wonder why).

I followed a Berwick Plated vehicle on Saturday night over the Tyne Bridge and headed for the first available rank - he tried to pick up right in front of me from the front of the queue. (I was out my taxi and telling him to move on). That is how bad it is and that is happening ALL the time.

We were told today that Newcastle Council CAN prosecute as well as Berwick. Complaints can be made to both councils.

We were also told if ANY Berwick Plated vehicle has a For Hire sign illuminated he is "plying for hire" and therefore can be prosecuted.

We have been told to carry a camera and photograph any Berwick Plated vehicle that has an illuminated signage. Action will be taken if proof is shown. He does NOT need to pick up to be prosecuted! HE only needs an illuminated for hire sign to be prosecuted !! Very interesting.

Berwick Council are going to carry out investigations and visit Newcastle on a regular basis and find out for themselves how bad it is.

Chris

Who told you they couldnt?

CC

_________________
Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

I'm afraid Newcastle is not exceptional when it comes to blatant illegal plying for hire. It is the same all over the country.



What do you mean you were told today? Are you saying that the Newcastle taxi trade and Newcastle licensing enforcement weren't aware that they could prosecute any vehicle found breaking the law in respect of illegally plying for hire?



Not quite so, that would only apply if the vehicle was standing in a street or on a taxi rank for the purpose of plying for hire. It would probably not apply to a hackney carriage in motion, regardless of whose licensing area they where in?

Regards

JD

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

When I go to say Nottingham to pick up a pre booked fare in one of my taxis, I have the top sign on to help the customer find my car. Is this illegal then?

_________________
Grandad,