Taxi Driver Online

Today a milestone has been reached in Edinburgh by Edinburgh City Private Hire with the first wheelchair compatible private hire vehicle, a TW200, passing inspection at the Taxi Examination Centre and being granted its certificate.

Cllr Keir, Convener of the Regulatory Committee, although supposed to be furthering and protecting the interests of disability groups, has been resisting the introduction of these vehicles, waging a bureaucratic delaying tactic to prevent it.

The pertinent question has to be why? And what does this say about the man?

As I have long stated, the differences between Private Hire are being reduced, the two are becoming increasingly the same. And why not? Both sides of the Hire Car trades do essentially the same job. Why do we even need two sides at all?

Isn't it long overdue for councils to butt out of micro-managing our trades and do what they're supposed to do - licensing - and leaving the shape of the trade to those who invest and work in it?

Meanwhile, ECPH are now well placed to tender for the council's social work contract.

The taxi trade may "enjoy" its restriction of licences, but what it has achieved is a shift in the critical mass to Private Hire. We predicted this. We advocated the London model. The trade resisted it.

We pointed to the Glasgow model, where PH outnumber taxis by getting on for 3 to 1. This is now Edinburgh's destination.

All happening while the public are voting with their feet and the poor state of economy is reducing demand.

The taxi trade sowed. The taxi trade is reaping its deserved reward.

There you go, ecph's public relations guru.

Do they pay you, or do you do it out of fear?

Under your skin again

ECPH, or anyone associated with it, have never paid me a single penny. Or any cash at all. Or any other benefit.

Sorry, perhaps I should declare a cup of coffee and a chocolate biscuit.

Happy now, numpty?

Fear it is then!

Strange that a council will license a WAV vehicle for Private Hire that is to all intents and purposes built for the Hackney Carriage trade.

Brum would not allow it!

They may allow it if the seat configuration was non-conference style, but I have never seen a TW200 built other than for Hackney with conference style seating.

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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.

I doubt any L.A can stop a van conversion coming on as private hire and the tw200 is only a Fiat Scudo van. Manchester has dozens of Vito's on private hire, the only difference in Manchester is that PH vito's have to be coloured silver, whilst Hackneys Vito's have to be black with a top light. Because of the Equality Bill I expect all L.A.s will have to follow this route.

Wouldn't that force disabled PH customers to accept a lesser service than they otherwise could have?

Equality act 2010?

The turning circle decision in Liverpool also springs to mind.

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

Very strange that they may allow it with different seating than that of a traditinal cab.

Do they think different seating plans increase illegal hiring?

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IDFIMH

Alas most trades in the areas concerned haven't a clue about how this Act will effect them.

They will eventually, but then it will be too late.

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IDFIMH

Yh that's right if its purpose built people at night will mistaken it as a taxi an I fort only hackneys were ment to be wav?

who says?

Yes, who says? My 8 passenger Renault Master is a WAV and is plated as Private Hire.

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Grandad,

I guess, and call me stupid if I'm wrong, but if it is private hire it won't have the word TAXI on the roof. The problem with most in this trade is they keep saying the public get confused/mistaken. The public don't get confused/mistaken the majority just don't care they just want to get from A to B as easily as possible.

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Note to self: Just because it pops into my head does NOT mean it should come out of my mouth!!

Can we just call you stupid anyway.
The word TAXI can be on a private hire vehicle. Well it can be in my town. There is a company in my town called ***** taxis. They have the same name on their hackneys and private hire vehicles.

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Grandad,

Not in edinburgh.