Taxi Driver Online

http://sbtn.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=19.0

its all happening in the Borders

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Skull, "You are a police inspector, aren't you?"
Cab Inspector Smith, "Yes."
Skull, "So, are you going to tell Mr Taylor what his rights are?"
Smith, "And ... What rights?"

I don't have an account for this forum

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

Mr Skippy please copy and paste the issue before we all lose the will to live.

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IDFIMH

TIME TO TAKE A STAND
“You are about to lose your
rank work and your
contracts”
IF YOU THINK THIS IS ANOTHER POINTLESS
LETTER THEN READ ON. WHATS WRITTEN HERE
WILL CHANGE YOUR MIND. GUARANTEED
Comment on the Taxi Forum at www.sbtn.co.uk/forum
Drivers / Operators
THIS IS OUR LAST CHANCE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
As we are all aware it’s now becoming increasingly difficult to get onto the rank
throughout the week. That coupled with the fiasco that was Saturday night seeing
54 taxis queued up from the front of Channel Street, through Anderson Chambers
and finishing at the bus station traffic lights, it’s definitely academic that parking for
taxis is now unacceptable in Galashiels. The time has come to take a stand.
If you are the exception who is out here day after day driving the taxi simply because
you have nothing better to do then please excuse this letter. For the rest of us
however who are driving the taxi’s as our sole source of income then it’s time to grow
up, stop fighting amongst ourselves and start working as a team to force changes
within both our working environment as well as the councils attitude towards
licensing.
Over the last few years there has been an explosion of new taxis in Galashiels with a
count of 122 public hire taxis now operating within zone 2. Although zone 2 covers a
large area, the majority of taxis operating within that area are focused on Galashiels.
The council has been approached on numerous occasions by taxi drivers and
operators as well as our taxi inspector Tony Broach to restrict the amount of taxis
operating within this zone but alas to no avail. Time after time suggestions are
dismissed with an uninterested attitude by Council Members including Area Office
Manager Anne Isles which as a result has now left the taxi epidemic in Galashiels at
bursting point. As a result taxi drivers and operators often bypass the hierarchy of
the local council with complaints focused at a higher level including that of the Traffic
Commissioner. The local council has is now left with a vote of NO confidence in the
eyes of many taxi operators, drivers and members of their own team.
Taxi operators have their hands tied since without the go-ahead of the Licensing
Department NOTHING gets passed. It’s time to take a dramatic and steadfast stand
against the inevitable collapse of our businesses. To do this we must petition for
immediate resolve including the resignation of council members who are clearly
unable to sustain a safe and feasible working environment. This will not only ensure
that drivers are kept safe by working a reasonable amount hours to sustain their
income but that the safety of the public is maintained by drivers not having to work
excessive hours thereby cutting down on tiredness .
To do this it is NOT POSSIBLE for a team who have no firsthand knowledge of
driving a taxi or the challenges encountered therein to advise, manage or facilitate
the administration of licensing, fares and enforcement.
If this were the case then not only would we see a decline the amount of licenses
granted we would also see the implementation of additional rank space. In addition
clear and compulsory regulations regarding the taxi rank would be in place as is the
case in many large town and cities. The removal of NON licensed and illegal taxis
operating in the area would also be a source of concern.
What are the alternatives?
A Compulsory Taxi Association made up of responsible peers including the traffic
commission, local police, council and Taxi operators should be implemented within
each zone. This new association should be responsible for licensing, fares and
enforcement since it is the only body qualified to do so.
No Single Entity should be responsible for the way the taxis are run throughout the
Scottish Borders, and not only within Zone two.
Ranks to be equal.
Everyone pays the same fee for rank space and should have it used equally. The
implementation of front of rank pickup as in large town and cities should be
implemented. A dedicated officer paid for by our license fees should implement this.
Fines are given for anyone not adhering to the rules.
Fee Disclosure.
A complete and itemised breakdown of fees should be given upon receiving a
license. Each item should be clearly marked without using the terms, admin fees,
processing fees or miscellaneous.
“I don’t care; I have been doing the taxis for years and
have enough work from my phones and people I know
to keep me going through this.”
If the above statement is what was just going through your mind then read on. You
are about to have your eyes opened.
In a recent meeting with Mathew Mace, head of the transport department at
Newtown St Boswells I was informed that the CONTRACTS ARE BEING
REVAMPED. I don’t just mean the implementation of a new points system put in
place to keep prices as low as possible year after year by penalising everyone for
tendering above the lowest price, oh no. I mean you are about to LOSE your
contracts.
The Passenger Transport Unit is awaiting the arrival of a new Procurement Team
who will oversee ALL contract work that is allocated.
Mather Mace informed me that the new team is likely to choose 3 of 4 operators who
will be contacted to undertake ALL the contract work and leave out the smaller
operators who now will have NO CHANCE OF GETTING CONTRACTS.
Still thinking your phone work and friends will get you through this?
If this is indeed the case and the Procurement Team allocated the contracts to a
select group of operators. What do you think the operators who had contracts will do
to make up their loss?
Exactly.
IF THINGS STAY THE SAME THEN HERE ARE SOME OF THE THINGS YOU
WILL HAVE TO LOOK FORWARD TO.
 The amount of taxis will increase dramatically over the next two years.
 Drivers will work longer hours for less pay.
 Passenger and Drivers lives will be put at risk through tiredness.
 Operators will demand MORE money from driver to cover costs.
 Vehicles will be poorly maintained and neglected.
 Licensing and Fees will Increase.
 Stress will increase on the Taxi Rank.
 Driver poaching will increase with the promise of contracts.
 Taxi ranks will not accommodate the increase in vehicles. (AGAIN)
 Single car operators will GO OUT OF BUSINESS.
 More Taxis on the rank means less work for YOU.
If you still think that this is a pointless letter then please accept my apologies,
alternatively log onto www.sbtn.co.uk/forum and have your say.
Two letters are currently being drafted to go to the PTU, Traffic Commission, M.S.P’s
and several other media groups. A copy of these letters will be available online
when available at www.sbtn.co.uk/forum, or alternatively just find me on the rank and
I will supply you with a copy.
Sean Armstrong
Direct Taxis
IT’S TIME TO TAKE A STAND BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE

A classic case of how taxi drivers and operators lack the wit to drive taxis and operate them.

The problem here is how they work to type, do what they've always done and fail to adapt to new circumstances.

If the number of taxis operating has increased, it's because it must be worthwhile for them to do so. That's market forces.

54 taxis on a single rank is a failure of enforcement. The sheepherding instincts of taxi drivers, preferring to sit bumping their gums on the social club that is a taxi rank, rather than seeking out work and working the area is the real problem here.

And, if the current recession is part of the problem here, why throw the baby out with the bathwater? Why negate the rights of individuals to drive their own taxi?

What are the driver quality restrictions are here?

_________________
Skull, "You are a police inspector, aren't you?"
Cab Inspector Smith, "Yes."
Skull, "So, are you going to tell Mr Taylor what his rights are?"
Smith, "And ... What rights?"

I wish you all well, and maybe if you fight as one and have someone fronting it with a brain, then who knows?

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IDFIMH

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Justice for the 96. It has only taken 27 years...........repeat the same lies for 27 years and the truth sounds strange to people!

jasbar, anyone can put there own cab on down here.
you can even get your cab plated for all 4 zones if you want, even though it would look daft with 4 plates on, some have double plates.
The rank only holds 8 cabs, the rest line up waiting to get onto it, but drivers also pick up from anywhere in the queue whilst waiting

Sounds oafy like the rank in lothian road in good ole Embra City Centre. Come to think of it, it sounds like all the ranks in Embra City Centre ! I know what will solve this, let's open it up and we'll put more Taxis on !

This recession really is byting into your argument Mr Jasper ?

Go on, twist the argument to suit your argument ! You know your gonna !

Your gonne tell me PH is taking all work now eh ?

Well let me let you into a wee secret, PH are feeling the pinch just as much as anyone. Their numbers are dropping like flies too ! Market forces ! Just like you said.

And when things pick up, they will be back.

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

Fact is the recession makes de-limitation even more imperative for drivers.

They desperately need the right to drive their own vehicles to contain their costs and work when the market needs them.

Driving their own cab means they wouldn't have to sit idling on ranks when its quiet, they can maximise their efforts by working -productively when the pubolic needs them to.

As things stand, driver costs are at best kept as high as owner's need, irrespective that the market diminishes.

You think this is OK BTK?

De-limitation is fair to drivers and passengers. End of.

And its the only way, because of the ability to restrict drivers (it's drivers that pick up fares not cars) to control the growth of private hire.

Of course you may think PH expanding so much is cool BTK?

_________________
Skull, "You are a police inspector, aren't you?"
Cab Inspector Smith, "Yes."
Skull, "So, are you going to tell Mr Taylor what his rights are?"
Smith, "And ... What rights?"

Jasbar:

De-limitation is fair to drivers and passengers. End of.


Jasbar you dont half talk some p*%$.

what about the poor bugger thats paid £X amount to get his own taxi

on the road?? De-limitations no very fair to them...

But then again if you can get the free use of a plate then who cares

as long as your ok........

Why dont you do what everybody else does that wants their own business

and pay for it.....

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Never argue with an "IDIOT" They will drag you down to their level then beat you with experience

Ye Pays yer money, Ye takes yer chance...........

Plates are non-transferable in Scotland, under the CGSA 1982.
Regardless of some councils' interpretation.



What other business needs to buy someone else out in order to trade?

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