Taxi Driver Online

Me thinks the same!!

I was of the opinion they were more like marshalls, and didn't take the bookings just offered help and advice to customers wanting a taxi.

If they are taking bookings, then IMO they are touting.

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IDFIMH

No they don't take booking. When there is a queue of people a marshall flags down empty cabs and directs them to a venue where another marshall helps the passenger into a Licensed Taxi.
When the queue has dissipated the marshall stops flagging down passing Taxis.

Then they have passed the Sussex test.

As for the PH operating out of pubs/clubs etc, I think to operate the pubs/clubs etc need planning consent in the same way as a proper PH office.

I wonder how many have?

But back to JD's point re action, or lack of it, why hasn't any of the unions/association tried to challenge the, IMO, illegal touting?

That said, I believe the 'one tout and your out' policy from Boris may well help.

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IDFIMH

some people have.... the fire brigade have powers to.... placing people in a public Exit is a definite no-no....

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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!

That's if it stands up in court on appeal.

Boris' policy is not statue as far as I know.

But then he could use the 'fit & proper' part of the legislation, I suppose.

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Kind regards,

Brummie Cabbie.

Type a message, post your news,
Disagree with other members' views;
But please, do have some decorum,
When debating on the TDO Forum.

That's what he will do.

The first time someone is caught picking up illegally, and that can be taxi or PH, the driver's license will be revoked, and he will not be able to re-apply for 12 months.

But your point re the courts is valid, and in the end it will be them that decides.

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IDFIMH

There was a nice touch tonight in Regent street outside one of the most popular touting sites, Westminster council put a mobile CCTV camera smart car there all night. Stopped the touts in their tracks. Unfortunately they just moved up the road to the next venue where nobody bothered them.
But at least it was the start of some sort of action.

It will also give the council confidence to carry on with this type of enforcement.

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IDFIMH

I thought Westminster were happy for it to continue. The touts are parked on double yellows, Taxi ranks and disabled bays all over the place. Them smart cars could make a few quid and solve the problem if they wanted to.

since the original post I have not seen the smart car back in regent street, I think they bunged the driver to stay away, but I couldn't swear to this.

So are the LTDA, LCDC and TGWU powerless to do anything about this?

They're not the Police or law enforcement agencies Sandy.

How many touts do you think are at work on any given weekend night, and I'm talking from Chislehurst High Street, to Barking High Street, over to Uxbridge, back through the West End, The City, Kensington, Chelsea, Notting Hill out to Barnet, Finchley, Croydon, Brixton . . . . You get the picture?

3000?

4000?

What has London got to deal with them? Some 50 officers, not withstanding court appearances, sickness and annual leave.

Needle in Haystack, shooting fish in a barrel, courts full up with touts, tout squad told to caution more as they can't be dealt with.

And you think the trade bodies will cure it?



Forget it, the situation will get worse and worse, it's beyond repair.

A squad of 600 may make a big inroad, that’s never going to happen, car crushing would help, but there's little chance of that with the current Government and the law as it stands.

What would have helped, was if people knew they could get a Taxi when they left the clubs for the last 10 years, then clipboard men wouldn’t have a job.
But they could'nt, as the 'lets get home its getting dark' crew have prevailed when the economy was booming, now its gone tits up, suddenly its Taxis galore during the night as they stay out later and later.

Stable door and bolting horses spring to mind.

Not enough Taxis working at night, and no enforcement for many years, that's the cause of the problem we see before us in 2008, not the trade bodies.

I might look like Clive Dunn, but you sound like John Laurie the miserable old Scotsman whose favourite saying is "We're doomed! We're all doomed".

No one is doomed Mr A, I just tend to take a realistic view as to what's happening out on the mean streets of London.

I'm also taking a realistic look as what’s likely to happen for the foreseeable future in the enforcement dept.