Taxi Driver Online

Or perhaps restrictions will remain to ensure QUALITY.


I also have unansered questions regarding peoples interest in gaining a H/C plate.

Maybe if you viewed (to answer them would be to much to ask) these questions you may see why there should be 2 codes, or at least why some people are asking that they both remain.

1 - If you got a H/C plate would you work from a "booking office". ?

2 - If you got a H/C plate would you be willing to pay £30,000+ for a WAV ?

You see to derestrict plate numbers doesn't end the problems of the "I WANT" brigade.
Lifting restrictions for one aspect of the trade will lead eventually to TOTAL DEREGULATION.

This is simply because Sussex Man will not get the work he needs to survive from his small licensing area and so will want the right to go into the closest city to make up his money. When there he will want to charge the customer a higher rate to recoup his further loses caused by the extra milage and his inconvenience.

Which authority will test the vehicles, licence drivers and operators and also set the fares. Is this to be done nationally, are we to take the example of our Capital City as the blueprint for our reform, oh sorry I almost forgot they are in the process of introducing a legitimate, licenced two tier system aren't they, same that isn't it.

And my friend that is why the OFT will make recomendations regarding many aspects of our trade, and I have no doubt the whole "trade" will benefit but to derestrict will see deregualtion and that will certainly not be in the publics best interest.

B. Lucky


BTW if you answered no to question 1, how would my granny be able to get to the hospital for her appointment, how would she be able to get to the bingo on tuesday night if she fancied it. And before you say "you take her then" she lives in Bromley.

how would this fit in with the great all encompasing bill mick?
bit worrying all these post office closures and the effect on our conditions of service, but we are too busy with other pressing crap to address those serious implications.

Wharfie

Mick

If quality is required, then it's easy - just specify it - it works in London without numerical restrictions.

As regards pre-booked work under an (effective) one-tier system, in my experience I would say that with a mostly HC fleet the majority work from an office and perhaps 10-20% will work the streets.

It stands to reason that all taxis won't be sitting around doing nothing while people are phoning for cabs.

As regards deregulation, I think the OFT will have looked at Dublin and other experiences and will say no thank you.

Indeed, they might well conclude that even with quotas if you don't impose standards then you don't get them anyway.

Dusty

I'm not to sure what relevance these questions have, but I will answer them never the less.

1. It all depends on what that booking office offered me in return for my money. If I had a nice school run, or they were as busy as hell, then yes.
If not, then more than likely no.

2. If that was a condition that applied to the whole trade, then yes. If that was a condition that just applied to new plates, then maybe no.

No they are not the 'I WANT' brigade, they are the 'SHOULD HAVE' brigade.

The only people who believe that de-limitation will lead to deregulation, are scaremongering HC owners and drivers.

The rest of us living in the real world know that it never has, and never will be on the cards. Find me someone in authority who believes such a thing, and I will call him a liar and a fool.

Well I can do that, and many do that at present.

The only difference is that most drivers have to drive other peoples vehicle's, not their own.

You are beginning to sound like an Edinburgh taxi driver, not enough drivers, but far too many vehicles.

Well I don't see your point. But if you are saying she would need a saloon vehicle to get to hospital, well if she lives in a mandatory area, then she should call a licensed PH operator for a saloon.

It's what millions of people do every day.

Thankfully.

Sussex mate if you had a H/C you could get your own school run.

If they were as busy as hell and you were doing prebooked work all night what differance would the plate on your vehicle mean. Or do you think that the ranks are busy when the offices are quiet or more importantly that the offices are quiet when the ranks are busy.

B. Lucky

My point is that if you delimit numbers and driver numbers dramatically drop within the P/H offices they will become less profitable, therefore less able to continue to advertise to maintain their market share and ultimatly eventually be forced to close. Remember ALL P/H offices like any other business, have a break even point and in the case of P/H that is determined by the number of rent paying drivers they have at their office.

B. Lucky

Ok then Sussex.

Why do you want a H/C plate?

To make more money, perhaps.
Because somebody 20 years ago got one for free.
Because they make more money than me.

So, if you get one and you don't find it to be the bed of roses you think it is, but you recon (using whatever logic you used previously) the lads working in the neighbouring city have got it cushy, do not tell me that you would not start crying on for permission to work in that area as well as your own, because that is exactly what you are crying on about now.

B. Lucky

thats brilliant we ought not to delimit to keep private hire numbers high!
because if we dont the offices will close?
Mick , why dont we delimit, let the offices close and spend all that money on suitable rolling stock and, good service?

have a knowledge test to keep the undesirables out?

Wharfie

Oh aye

A local authority has recently recieved applications from a P/H operator for his vehicles to -

In the case of P/H stop for flaggers.

In the case of H/C to allow the tariff charged to be set by the company and not the council.

Be tested through the comapnies own garage/MOT testing station

I suppose none of thes things constitute deregulation

the council has no powers to approve the first

as for the next 2 it is just an application, busses do thier own tests and they are supervised.

but no on the whole Mick, dont panic, and dont oppose it they may vote out of thier dislike of you.

Wharfie

Well if that is the case then surely the existing HC trade will welcome me with open arms, cos I wont be affecting their income.

All I want for myself, and anyone else for that matter, is to be given the same opportunities as other.

Nothing more, nothing less.

Well that's one scenario.

Another more probable one, is that cos there are now more HCs, the rank work will be diluted, and more HCs will sign up with operators.