Taxi Driver Online

Fresh move to ditch cap on city taxi numbers

http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/topstories/Fresh-move-to-ditch-cap.5041251.jp




ENOUGH: Raymond Davidson of the ETA doubts if there’s enough city trade to sustain more taxis

A FRESH bid is being mounted to lift Edinburgh's long-standing cap on taxi licences after a report found a "significant" unmet demand for black cabs.

The council-commissioned survey based on journeys in December concludes that there would be enough passengers to go round if more taxis were allowed on the streets.

The council's licensing committee delayed making a decision on the report yesterday, and said it would re-visit the issue on April 1 once more information had been gathered.

Taxi driver Gordon MacDonald is one of those currently petitioning the council to lift the cap and award him a licence.

The council previously rejected his application, as has the Court of Session, which ruled that it was a matter for the local authority.

The council capped the number of black cabs in the Capital at 1260 in 2001, ruling that there was no "significant unmet demand" but, since then, there has been a huge increase in the number of private hire vehicles.

According to those in the industry, the limit on the number of available black cab licences means plates can change hands for anything up to £50,000.

Mr MacDonald said: "If I get my taxi plate then there is likely to be a flood of applications and the ones that have paid £50,000 for their's will not be happy.

"The council now has this report, and they will still not make a decision because they know there will be 30, 40, 50 new applications.

"I want to run my own taxi and I don't want to be beholden to someone who could take my licence away."

The council report, which was compiled by consultants Halcrow, recorded 32,392 passengers and 20,761 cab departures from December 12-28.

The study said higher numbers would be expected for December than other times of the year, but still concludes that, based on the results, additional licences would be required.

Raymond Davidson, secretary of the Edinburgh Taxi Association (ETA), said the trade in the city would be unable to sustain any more taxis.

He said: "Everybody in Edinburgh comes out on Friday and Saturday night, but during the week there's no-one around.

"Firms are closing down in the city right, left and centre, so I don't think Edinburgh can sustain any more taxis."

It's all over now . . . .

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All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others.
George Orwell, "Animal Farm"

Have you been watching the England 1966 video again ?

CC

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

No, I sent him one from Wembly in 1967

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

Baxter?

CC

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

Nope, hes on LSD.

Depending on how many extra cabs the survey calculated I can't see how any of the existing applicants can be refused now.

Also I wonder how many of the idiots will now repeat the 'where's the unmet demand then?' question to Mr Taylor and Mr Skull.

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IDFIMH

I think not my me auld ginger.

This is a complete policy turnaround on behalf of the council. I suspect it is government inspired because of the state of the economy.


This is what governments do when recession hits.

Anyone applying for a plate now is on a sure thing. The demand is there and the council have no right of refusal.

Oh and btw, the article in the news came straight from council HQ.

_________________
All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others.
George Orwell, "Animal Farm"

Our applications are in and I see lots of demand. I think the council have done a fine job .. . PMSL


The only problem is they will have to take the lid off completely at least for short period of time.

_________________
All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others.
George Orwell, "Animal Farm"

That's my understanding as well.
I believe that if they grant one licence, they must grant all live applications. Since the waiting list/IPL has no legal standing, every application must be granted (subject to the applicant being "fit and proper").

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

So just so I can get this right.

It's now fair to say that in all those reports to councillors about taxi demand, the licensing officers got it 100% wrong when they said there was no taxi SUD.

Methinks they best get some new eyes or a new job.

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IDFIMH

I'm sure this policy change has come from the government - it's no accident.

They had to know people would apply on the strength of announcing a "significant demand".

I've already spoken to a few people who are going to apply.

_________________
All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others.
George Orwell, "Animal Farm"

A non related question....Mr Davidson is hanging off the door of a TX in the picture.....I thought he was an advocate for E7's ?

CC

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

Hes certainly not an advocate fo Charlie Millar.

I lost that one just past Gretna

CC

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