| Taxi Driver Online http://taxi-driver.co.uk/phpBB2/ |
|
| 1993. 23 London black cabs doused with paint stripper. http://taxi-driver.co.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=4223 |
Page 1 of 1 |
| Author: | JD [ Sun Aug 20, 2006 9:58 pm ] |
| Post subject: | 1993. 23 London black cabs doused with paint stripper. |
It is easy to see the rensentment of the two warring sides of London black cabs v minicabs, when you read items like this. ......................................................... The Times October 28, 1993, Thursday HEADLINE: Government moves to license London's minicab operators BYLINE: Tim Jones, Transport Correspondent THE government is hoping to ease the tension in the London taxi war by insisting that minicab operators in the capital should be licensed, as they are in the rest of England and Wales. Black cab drivers are expected to spend up to three years gaining ''the knowledge'' and to run properly insured and maintained vehicles. They claim that anyone, even with a criminal record, can run a minicab. A green paper, Taxis and Private Hire Vehicles, was published yesterday by the transport department. It says: ''Minicab operations in the London area vary from respectable, responsible organisations through the spectrum.'' It adds: ''It is hard to defend a system which allows private hire vehicles to operate unregulated in London while they are required to be licensed in almost all the rest of England and Wales. There are no grounds for arguing that users of private hire vehicles in London need a lower level of protection than those in the provinces.'' Friction between the 22,000 licensed taxi drivers in London and the 60,000 minicab drivers who compete for a diminishing trade has escalated. Earlier this year, there was a near riot after 23 black cabs were doused with paint stripper as their drivers ate supper. The black cabbies responded by flooding Marble Arch with 100 cabs, bringing traffic to a standstill. Although they are supposed to be pre-booked, there is, the green paper admits, a significant problem with minicab drivers who illegally use touts, or tout themselves outside nightclubs, theatres, cinemas and at railway stations. The green paper says that the existing law does not appear to provide an adequate deterrent. It says that minicab fares are generally cheaper than taxi fares. ''Allegations have been made that proper insurance is not obtained, that vehicles are not properly maintained or that the driver draws unemployment benefits while employed,'' the paper says. ''Whatever the truth in these accusations, even reputable minicab firms which check their drivers carefully seem usually to be cheaper than taxis.'' Among the options suggested is a single taxi licensing regime throughout England and Wales. Launching the paper, Steven Norris, the transport minister, said: ''The law on taxis and private hire vehicles is a mess. It is difficult to understand and enforce and totally unsatisfactory.'' ...................................................... |
|
| Page 1 of 1 | All times are UTC [ DST ] |
| Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group http://www.phpbb.com/ |
|