Taxi Driver Online

One month proudly served, Hackneying my way around the fairest of boroughs and yet, despite overcoming the relative mountain of red-paper tape and the rest to become fully fledged, I’m still not 100% chuffed 100% of the time. Why not? Well…

There’s a group of pubs in the borough, at night it’s pretty much the only place to drive past/circle round/park up for a bit. There’s no rank but that doesn’t seem to matter.
My/our/the world’s problem is Private Hire vehicles, often from large companies, sitting around, and, being from large companies, being recognised as ‘legit’ (although, of course they’re not) and folks clambering in them a la Hackney “You booked?...Can you tek us to…?” Mr, Mrs, Mz and Master Punter are probably quite chuffed (little do they know eh) as effectively unlicensed Private Hire (not even from the borough) offer cheaper fares than the legitimate, legal, Hackney/ rate, so, what to do?

I’m new to all this, and damp behind the tabs maybe, but it’s not good and proper practice, is it? So, I’ve made notes, badge numbers, vehicle regs, make and model of vehicle, Private Hire company, time spent flying, and time of illegal pick up (ones I’ve actually heard being arranged). What should I do with this information? Naturally I don’t want to be a grass, then again, having spent many sleepless nights and a not inconsiderable sum getting my licence and vehicle, it’s so unfair [/Kevin the teenager]. After all I don’t go and park up outside their offices, the fact I wouldn’t dare to is by-the-by. Anyway, who, if anyone, should I approach?
The Council/Licensing Authority – as the offences are being committed in their borough and their drivers are the victims?
The companies concerned – anonymously of course…one company proudly proclaims it’s vehicles are fitted with CCTV and ‘computer controlled’ (I assume the latter refers to some sort of tracking system). I nonchalantly approached the company office and asked:
“Are all your vehicles fitted with CCTV?”
Why? Have you been in an accident?
“No, nothing like that, I just heard they were, that’s all.”
Most are, yes, but they only record what goes on inside the car.
“They record everything that happens in the vehicle?”
Yes.

Kinda digging their grave it seems. They should have footage of their own drivers breaking the law, right?

I’m thinking it’s probably best to approach the council. Obviously I don’t want to face the wrath of large established companies, but, they are being a tad naughty, and there’s not exactly a non-stop queues of punters week round. My ideal outcome is the licensing officer contacts the companies involved, and that does the trick. Or, if s/he doesn’t take my word/carefully documented accounts as read, then s/he takes a trip to the crime scene and checks the shananigans out for his/herself, and then writes to the offending firms.

Am I right to do so? Or should I just ‘grow up’ and forget it? Or should I take another course of action, other than the options outlined above?
I feel sure this sort of thing happens/has happened to several folks here, so I’m tapping this boundless font of taxi wisdom. Thanks in anticipation.

Unless you are prepared to put your complaints in writing to the council, they will do nothing.

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Grandad,

Get right in there and report them to the licencing and the police if necessary
Its your hovis they are munching on, time to close the bread bin and lock it

If you have taken the time to record all this info the only thing you can do is to pass it onto the council.

I don't know if there's a hackney association/union in your area, but if there is then get them to pass it on. But if any action is to be taken then you might have to make a statement.

If you want to keep anon the only thing I think you can do is to e-mail all the info to every councillor/LO and the local press.

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IDFIMH

Phil, you and a mate go to the pub, come out, approach a PH vehicle and get it to take you home, pay, get a reciept (your wife wants to know where youve been dont she) , take the drivers badge+plate number, write it all up next day and hand it to your LO

and im a PH driver!

but just promise me this, if the vehicle is a hackney but out of area you will still do it?

and when youve done that, book/pay/ride with a "limo".....

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Of all the things ive lost, i miss my mind the most

you could have a job driving around catching crooked taxis and limos if you let wannabee have his way,

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

ill do it as a "consultant" for LA's....

just gotta think up a fee structure

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Of all the things ive lost, i miss my mind the most

I don't know of any limos that tout on the street. I have been asked on countless occasions whilst out on a job if I can just take someone for a spin for a few quid. So I am sure that someone must have actually done it.

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Grandad,