Edinburgh taxi driver warns service will diminish if Dundee taxi numbers are capped


By Craig McManamon

An Edinburgh cab driver has warned Dundee residents they will be hit with a diminished service if the number of taxis operating in the city is capped.

The Dundee Taxi Association (DTA), the local branch of Unite union and a number of elected officials have all backed calls to limit the number of registered badge holders and taxi vehicles.

They argue the move will improve the city's service as well as provide drivers with a greater income.

However, Jim Taylor, who has driven his cab on Edinburgh roads for the past 17 years and who is part of a small group pursuing a legal battle aimed at overturning the capital's own taxi limit, said any restriction will only lead to longer waiting times for passengers.

Mr Taylor, a well-known figure within Scotland's taxi industry and a former secretary of the now defunct trade lobby group, CABforce, spoke on the issue after comments made by Dundee West MSP Joe FitzPatrick.

Last week [FitzPatrick] called on Dundee City Council to consider a limit saying it would bring the city in line with many other local authorities.

The point is disputed by Mr Taylor, who used to be a staunch supporter of a cap during his time with CABforce before "changing his mind" in recent years.

"Most in Scotland don't restrict and in Aberdeen and West Lothian the cap has been removed," he said. "Edinburgh is beleaguered in a 'de-restriction' battle with appeals in court and a human rights case coming around the corner.

"I guess taxi drivers in Dundee failed to explain this to him."

Quality control

Improving Dundee's taxi service, he added, requires the implementation of quality control and not reducing the number of drivers out on the road.

However, Mr FitzPatrick claims a cap will improve professionalism in the service and may benefit passengers as well as the trade — something Mr Taylor dismissed as "balderdash."

"Capping taxis creates shortage, inflates plate premiums, inflates rentals for drivers and ultimately means fewer taxis for hire on the streets," he said.

In response, Mr FitzPatrick made it clear he does not share the Edinburgh man's viewpoint, saying the situation in Dundee is very different.

"Mr Taylor is a resident of Edinburgh and will be reflecting his experiences as such, which will be different to those in Dundee, and I have suggested that Mr Taylor contact his local MSP in Edinburgh to pass on his views," he said.

"Ultimately it is for Dundee City Council licensing committee to look at the operation of the taxi service in the city and consider whether capping the number of licences might be the solution to the difficulties."

Dundee Taxi Association remain resolute that the industry wants a cap to be brought into place. Secretary of the DTA Tony Waters added, "It is just common sense for Dundee to have a limit on the numbers of taxis.

"There is not enough rank spaces for a start and it will help ensure drivers get a better living. I just can't understand why Mr Taylor has made remarks on a matter that does not really have anything to do with him."

Dundee licensing board committee is expected to discuss a cap option early next month when the findings of a report, commissioned by the body, will go before councillors.


****************************************************

Perhpas Tony can now tell us:-

1. At what level any cap should be set?

2. If the level is lower than the existing licences who loses their licence?

3. How does your rotectionist attempt at restricting the number of "badge" holders and taxis sit with European Employment Law, Human Rights and European competition regultions?

The consequence of a cap on licences will be a swelling labour pool of drivers for a limited nyumber of available shifts. This will be reflected in artificial rental premiums being charged to drivers and artificial shortage premiums of licences accruing through the transfer of licence plates - up to £50,000 in Edinburgh.

Licences will be transferred as a direct result of drivers being denied unfettered access to the tools of their trade.

It's going to cost drivers more, so how does this benefit drivers?

Now will you answer the question Tony?

And, aren't Dundee City Council being asked to grant special pirivileges to the Dundee Taxi trade, to give owners a licence shortage bonus, and to breach the fundamental rights of those who work in the trade, and especially those who would wish to work in the trade at a time of increasing unemployment?

You really are a cock of the highest order arent you??

An incisive counter argument.
You should send it to the courier and see if they print it.

I think they'll print themselves when they find out what a cock they are dealing with.

Taylor is a cock and we're not playing isn't much of a case to present against it.

i wonder how many plate owners are socialists and labour voters, who would not tolerate a landowner / peasant society.

I have contacted other Councils to find out whether they have caps and how they operate their taxi-services.

Edinburgh operates a limit on the number of taxis and frequently reviews the demand for taxis and commissions regular surveys of demand.

In response, Mr FitzPatrick made it clear he does not share the Edinburgh man's viewpoint, saying the situation in Dundee is very different.

"Mr Taylor is a resident of Edinburgh and will be reflecting his experiences as such, which will be different to those in Dundee, and I have suggested that Mr Taylor contact his local MSP in Edinburgh to pass on his views," he said.

For example, isn't it the case that vehicle standards in Dundee are significantly better than when numbers were restricted a decade or so ago?

It's not that removing the numbers cap had anything to do with that. More relevant perhaps were quality control measures implemented by the council, not to mention more competition in the sector.

Msp Joe FitzPatrick shares my view that no 2 LA's are the same when it comes to Taxi licencing,

Msp Joe FitzPatrick shares my view that no 2 LA's are the same when it comes to Taxi licencing, We cannot use Edinburgh and compare it with another City, Edinburgh is a limited market fact, restriction works in Edinburgh and anybody with half a brain knows we cannot have an unlimited number of Hacks, to have an un-limited amount of Hacks we would de-stabilise our whole public transport system, all is fair in love and public transport and it's through competition that we carry on