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| Boris and The Black Cabbies http://taxi-driver.co.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=9193 |
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| Author: | Brummie Cabbie [ Sat Aug 23, 2008 11:17 am ] |
| Post subject: | Boris and The Black Cabbies |
Boris and The Black Cabbies 23rd August 2008 Doesn't take long for the dust to settle and after that glorious victory by Mayor Boris Johnson reality bites and the London taxi-cab driver is wondering how will the new Mayor treat the taxi trade. Well I have to say putting a representative on the board of transport for London is a good move by Mayor Boris Johnson and for those who believe that this individual can't speak about our own trade well you're wrong, the Greater London Authority Act does allow you to discuss your trade if the Chair of transport for London so wishes! Allowing passengers to alight on a red route at night for the sole purpose of using a cash machine is another good move by Mayor Boris Johnson, let us all hope the study proves this has no impact on traffic flows to any significant degree. Now whilst Boris Johnson was campaigning to become our new Mayor he pledged to scrap the mid-year inspection for the London taxi-cabs. Recently the consultation process began, fantastic you may be thinking, well I am sorry to inform you that yet again the PCO/tfL have decided to include Private hire in this review, why I just don't know. The position with London taxi-cabs needs to be clarified, we should all be concerned at this concerted effort by the PCO at bundling taxi-cabs and mini-cabs together. The mid year inspection, sorry second overhaul only started last year remember before that we had a annual overhaul, then somebody thought it would be a good idea to increase the burden upon garages and drivers, safety could not have been a issue because our safety record is second to nobody or any other form of transport. We drive purpose built taxi-cabs and in my opinion a annual overhaul had served the public and taxi-cab driver well so why did we change to a mid year inspection which quickly evolved into a second overhaul? The Private hire industry drive cars of various standard and design, from Smart cars to left hand drive limo's, now because they drive cars which are not purpose built for the job they're been used for it makes perfect sense to inspect these cars twice a year. So when Boris Johnson became Mayor of London on May the 4th why did somebody believe this manifesto pledge had something to do with the Private hire industry? I am of the opinion the PCO must revert back to its sole purpose and licence London taxi-cabs, its drivers and test candidates for the knowledge of London. I don't like hidden agenda's and if somebody wants to change my job, amend laws that govern my trade how about some real consultation, how about one badge one vote ?What could we vote on, well for starters we could ask the Mayor of London to keep the dividing line between taxi-cabs and mini-cabs the first step could be to create a Private hire office, this office could then manage mini-cabs in accordance with the Private hire act 1999. We have a bright future within the taxi trade if we grasp the nettle and deal with a little short term pain, it will take a united stance from all trade organisations and parts of our trade may well need time to unwind positions where they have involved themselves with the Private hire industry. I have no issue with the mini-cab trade other than touting and a Private hire office could better deal with this problem if it applied the laws that govern this trade in a firm but fair manner. It pains me to say this but the PCO is not dealing with issues effectively and change is required sooner rather than later. Well done again to our Mayor Boris Johnson for taking up the role of Chair of transport for London. I am sure he will thoroughly enjoy this important role within London Government. Source; The London Daily News |
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| Author: | GBC [ Tue Aug 26, 2008 8:14 pm ] |
| Post subject: | |
As I said over a year ago, I don't expect Utopia to come into existence under Boris Johnston's leadership, but it will be ten times better than if the socialist dictator had got back in. |
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