Taxi Driver Online :: View topic

Much the same stuff as elsewhere.

http://www.buryfreepress.co.uk/ViewArti ... eID=969147

But refreshingly we have a councillor who lives in the real world. :shock:

But Cllr Philip French said: "I have no doubt whatsoever there will be an initial flood but at some stage it will bottom out and find its own level as it is with any business."

Fears that private hire vehicles will be allowed to flood the market, while cabbies face extra costs to comply with disability regulations, were aired by Sean Whitfield, chairman of the Bury Taxi Drivers on Wednesday.

"If the rank is full of private hire vehicles, our earnings are going to go down and our business will be worth nothing," he told St Edmundsbury Borough Council's policy development committee.

The committee recommended the council carry out a £10-15,000 survey on taxi demand to determine whether to deregulate.
But the drivers of Bury's 26 taxis will have to pay a third of the survey's costs or face deregulation – and even then, the survey results may still lead to the deregulation they fear.

But Cllr Philip French said: "I have no doubt whatsoever there will be an initial flood but at some stage it will bottom out and find its own level as it is with any business."

Taxi drivers are also unhappy that new vehicles coming into service will have to meet disabled specifications but the private hire vehicles will not.

Author:	Sussex [ Fri Mar 11, 2005 7:18 pm ]
Post subject:	Bury St Edmunds
Much the same stuff as elsewhere. http://www.buryfreepress.co.uk/ViewArti ... eID=969147 But refreshingly we have a councillor who lives in the real world. But Cllr Philip French said: "I have no doubt whatsoever there will be an initial flood but at some stage it will bottom out and find its own level as it is with any business."

Author:	captain cab [ Fri Mar 11, 2005 7:24 pm ]
Post subject:
Never, never ever, trust the french Captain cab

Author:	JD [ Fri Mar 11, 2005 7:52 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Bury St Edmunds
Sussex wrote: Much the same stuff as elsewhere. http://www.buryfreepress.co.uk/ViewArti ... eID=969147 But refreshingly we have a councillor who lives in the real world. But Cllr Philip French said: "I have no doubt whatsoever there will be an initial flood but at some stage it will bottom out and find its own level as it is with any business." Its only £192 each they should be able to offset that in their tax returns. Best wishes JD

Author:	captain cab [ Fri Mar 11, 2005 8:55 pm ]
Post subject:
It's not fare!Taxi drivers in Bury St Edmunds say their jobs could be put in jeopardy by proposed rule changes. Fears that private hire vehicles will be allowed to flood the market, while cabbies face extra costs to comply with disability regulations, were aired by Sean Whitfield, chairman of the Bury Taxi Drivers on Wednesday. "If the rank is full of private hire vehicles, our earnings are going to go down and our business will be worth nothing," he told St Edmundsbury Borough Council's policy development committee. At the moment, private hire vehicles are only allowed to pick up pre-booked customers, while taxis can also pick up customers waiting at taxi ranks. But the council has been asked to consider deregulating the licensing of taxis, allowing private hire to also pick up at the ranks. The committee recommended the council carry out a £10-15,000 survey on taxi demand to determine whether to deregulate. But the drivers of Bury's 26 taxis will have to pay a third of the survey's costs or face deregulation – and even then, the survey results may still lead to the deregulation they fear. "The choices on offer are not favourable and the long-term viability of taxis in Bury is in some doubt," said Mr Whitfield, in a letter to the council. But Cllr Philip French said: "I have no doubt whatsoever there will be an initial flood but at some stage it will bottom out and find its own level as it is with any business." Taxi drivers are also unhappy that new vehicles coming into service will have to meet disabled specifications but the private hire vehicles will not. Mr Whitfield said they were willing to provide more cars for disabled demand – there is only one in Bury at the moment – but most disabled customers preferred to use the saloon cars. Many areas have already become deregulated, including Forest Heath District Council, and the committee proposed looking at what effects this had had on the trade. for the benifit of lazy buggers like me who dont want to refer back to the article! Captain Cab

Author:	captain cab [ Fri Mar 11, 2005 9:07 pm ]
Post subject:
The following is stated realising the guy may have been quoted out of context by the press and without the benefit of the minutes!!! Quote: Fears that private hire vehicles will be allowed to flood the market, while cabbies face extra costs to comply with disability regulations, were aired by Sean Whitfield, chairman of the Bury Taxi Drivers on Wednesday. PH numbers are'nt limited, but as stated the guy was probably wrongly quoted. Quote: "If the rank is full of private hire vehicles, our earnings are going to go down and our business will be worth nothing," he told St Edmundsbury Borough Council's policy development committee. If the rank is full of PHV's expect a full scale riot too!!!! Quote: The committee recommended the council carry out a £10-15,000 survey on taxi demand to determine whether to deregulate. But the drivers of Bury's 26 taxis will have to pay a third of the survey's costs or face deregulation – and even then, the survey results may still lead to the deregulation they fear. Pretty unfair by the council really, surely if the trade are paying some of it then a "managed growth policy" would be best negotiated by the trade. Quote: But Cllr Philip French said: "I have no doubt whatsoever there will be an initial flood but at some stage it will bottom out and find its own level as it is with any business." How refreshing? this guys mind is made up already! Quote: Taxi drivers are also unhappy that new vehicles coming into service will have to meet disabled specifications but the private hire vehicles will not. Could be quoted out of context. But I would suggest that PHV are outside of the LA remit for the time being and if deregulation is to occur, then surely making the buggers buy an expensive vehicle would better regulate entry. regards Captain cab

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Author:	Sussex [ Fri Mar 11, 2005 9:35 pm ]
Post subject:
captain cab wrote: Taxi drivers are also unhappy that new vehicles coming into service will have to meet disabled specifications but the private hire vehicles will not. You have to wonder what planet these mushes are on. The council are, indirectly, trying to do the existing trade a favour by making new entrants pay double for their motors.

Author:	captain cab [ Fri Mar 11, 2005 9:37 pm ]
Post subject:
I think your probably right sussex, however, without the minutes or agenda, its difficult to say. Captain cab

Author:	TDO [ Sat Mar 12, 2005 4:40 pm ]
Post subject:
Cap is absolutely correct, the article is confused by poor use of terminology. I think we can all work out what it's trying to say, but strictly speaking it just doesn't say it properly. That article reminds me of Cab Trade News report of the Castle Point case.

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