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Protect black cabs in Brum
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Author:  Brummie Cabbie [ Fri Feb 11, 2011 3:50 pm ]
Post subject:  Protect black cabs in Brum
Protect black cabs in Brum

By Adrian Goldberg
February 10, 2011

In early December, West Midlands Police and Birmingham City Council mounted a well-publicised operation against private hire drivers muscling in on the black cab trade.

They cautioned several cabbies who picked up passengers without a pre-booking and warned them they risked losing their licenses for nothing more than a £5 fare.

It was a deliberate reminder in the run up to the festive season that only Hackney Carriages are allowed to ply for trade.

Two months later, it seems the message has already been forgotten.

Heading towards the taxi rank at New Street Station late on Sunday night, I was aggressively hustled by a driver from a private hire firm who was trying to blag my custom.

I bluntly reminded him that he was breaking the law and that if he had an accident on the way home, his insurance would be invalid.

Without breaking stride, he simply turned his attentions to another sleepy traveller and escorted them to the car park instead, where several of his colleagues were also prowling.

Nor is this the first time that I’ve seen drivers in identifiable private hire cars touting for business.

Only last week, a mate of mine hopped into one in Smallbrook Queensway, while I was recently offered a ride by a minicab driver after stepping out of a bar near St Paul’s Square.

Tumble out of the late night watering holes of Digbeth and it’s a similar story.

Most of the time, officialdom is happy to turn a blind eye, presumably because policing it effectively would tie up too many resources at the fighting end of the day.

Yet this matters – and not just to passengers who can often find there’s a financial sting in the tail when they are picked up in this way by private hire firms.

My friends in the trade tell me more than 50 Hackney Carriage drivers have turned in their badges in Birmingham over the last 12 months because they simply can’t make ends meet.

This explains why last year the council agreed to a three-year moratorium on issuing new licenses.

These drivers can pay up to £35,000 for a new vehicle and represent the flagship of the city’s taxi fleet. They deserve better protection.

Maybe the powers that be need reminding that licensing laws are for life – not just Christmas.

Source; http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingha ... -28148654/
Author:  Brummie Cabbie [ Fri Feb 11, 2011 3:54 pm ]
Post subject: 
This is what it's like in Brum on a regular scale!!

The grapevine is that the next step will be instant revocation of licence on first conviction for illegal plying for hire.
Author:  csp [ Fri Feb 11, 2011 4:21 pm ]
Post subject: 
Sounds just like London.

Third world, thieving, touting scum outside bars/clubs/restaurants/stations/airports etc. :evil:

Acting with immunity with little or no cance of being tugged, whilst up the road TOCU stop and check legit Licensed Taxi drivers for a badge & bill and free roadside MOT. :roll:

:evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil:
Author:  Brummie Cabbie [ Fri Feb 11, 2011 4:39 pm ]
Post subject: 
On the 2nd February 2011, we were told that the council had already successfully prosecuted 97 drivers for illegal plying for hire this year.

And we were less than 5 weeks into the new year.

They have loads more prosecutions in the system, including 24 drivers caught in less than three hours by just five LEOs a few Fridays ago.

Until they introduce confiscation of vehicle for this offence, nowt will change!!
Author:  GBC [ Sat Feb 12, 2011 1:18 am ]
Post subject: 
Brummie Cabbie wrote:
This is what it's like in Brum on a regular scale!!

The grapevine is that the next step will be instant revocation of licence on first conviction for illegal plying for hire.



Times that by about 300, and you have London every night of the week.
Author:  captain cab [ Sat Feb 12, 2011 1:21 am ]
Post subject: 
GBC wrote:
Brummie Cabbie wrote:
This is what it's like in Brum on a regular scale!!

The grapevine is that the next step will be instant revocation of licence on first conviction for illegal plying for hire.



Times that by about 300, and you have London every night of the week.


Tell that to the f*ckwits in Edinburgh,

CC
Author:  GBC [ Sat Feb 12, 2011 1:23 am ]
Post subject: 
Where? :wink:
Author:  captain cab [ Sat Feb 12, 2011 1:25 am ]
Post subject: 
GBC wrote:
Where? :wink:


North of england with a open gate to a mental institution.

CC
Author:  GBC [ Sat Feb 12, 2011 1:27 am ]
Post subject: 
That has VW Taxis. :shock:
Author:  captain cab [ Sat Feb 12, 2011 1:54 am ]
Post subject: 
GBC wrote:
That has VW Taxis. :shock:


You lost me now :lol:

CC
Author:  Chris the Fish [ Sat Feb 12, 2011 1:55 am ]
Post subject: 
captain cab wrote:
You lost me now :lol:

CC

You could ask a Taxi driver for directions. :wink:
Author:  captain cab [ Sat Feb 12, 2011 1:57 am ]
Post subject: 
Chris the Fish wrote:
captain cab wrote:
You lost me now :lol:

CC

You could ask a Taxi driver for directions. :wink:


Is that one of those suggested ones.....from the former head of licensing in Berwick......that might have a sat nav?

CC
Author:  Chris the Fish [ Sat Feb 12, 2011 1:57 am ]
Post subject: 
:lol:
Author:  captain cab [ Sat Feb 12, 2011 2:01 am ]
Post subject: 
Chris the Fish wrote:
:lol:


I'm glad you can laugh.....that c*nt was being serious......ffs....I think the entire world has gone mad.......then I think of jim Taylor.....axes in boot.....and realise....it has.

CC
Author:  Chris the Fish [ Sat Feb 12, 2011 2:05 am ]
Post subject: 
Sanity is merely the form of madness prefered by the majority.


I wish to God I knew who I was quoting.
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