Taxi Driver Online

New to the forum, am cabby in city of York for 20 years, been running Mercs for last 8 years now, to see my last few years out I have bought myself a e320 cdi Mercedes which is 3 years old

My problem is I wish to fit the Hale "mirror meter", see link below.....

http://www.hale.at/products/taximeters/ ... 01_en.html

Ok you guys you could say whats wrong with a standard meter, well nothing, I want this meter, but I am not preparded to let any of the 4 different meter agents locally touch this motor, plenty of horror stories of cabs going up in smoke. some have no knowledge of even basic electrics

I found the agent for the mirror meter near my area, they seem professional and seem to know what they are doing.

The trouble is now the Licencing officer will not allow me to fit the above meter, when asked why, all I get is "not approved", ask why, get told again, "not approved".

These meters are being used in the Newcastle area on the new Mercedes Vito taxis, surely the method of approval starts with the goverment deparments who allow these meters into the UK and so go on sale.

I have had my new motor sat on the drive for 2 weeks now unable to get licenced

An old guy retired ex taxi man, has taken the council to court many a time, told me all it stipulates on the byelaws is you present your vehicle with meter fitted, it does not stipulate what kind or type of meter. Anyway the old guy said, present your vehicle with a meter, if they refuse to test, take it up with the magistrates

how do I stand, surely I must have a choice and they can't restrict

All help welcome

As someone who has taken my council to court but never lost I am nevertheless out of pocket and suffer stress.

if you want to keep your Merc dont be like me or your old mate, you are bright and have a good buisness.

take a look at Nigels posts, now Nigel loves wars anywhere anytime likes holidays in Blackpool.

Nige does not own a Merc

if you can afford to pay trebble for that meter, or two thirds not to have one dont go to court

Ringstone

I know the cost is high, £595, not only paying for a meter but a replacement mirror, not just an ordinary mirror but a Mercedes mirror with automatic dipping sensor

Thats what I choose, money don't come into it, at the moment

thanks for your reply

with all due respect money does come into it

a decent solicitor costs £180 per hour.
magistrates can leave em standing around.

Ringstone

I would write to the Chair/man/woman of the Licensing Committee asking for a meeting to discuss your proposals.

If after listening to your sensible proposals he then says no, then I would object to the ombudsman. It will cost you the price of a stamp or two.

and of course the time the car is off the road about 12 months.

Highwayman. Despite having total animosity to York taxis drivers I will offer some advice.

The alternative is to buy the Digitax F1 meter and fit it in the pocket above the ashtray/lighter.

It fits perfectly and the flap comes down to conceal it if you wish. Really tidy job.

Have to say the Hale one looks cool though.

_________________
A member of the Hire or Reward Industry

Thanks for the detail on the Digitax F1, thought about that one

Yes York taxi drivers funny bunch, split down the middle, out of the 140 odd plus drivers I'm only friendly with a dozen at the most, the rest I wouldn't give time of day to

York council now have got their thinking hats on and have arranged for a Hale meter rep to do demo asap

regards, Higwayman

york counci havnt a clue i got my meter tested and sealed the other day and is stamped 2001 on i think they are still in the dark ages compared to other councils they have only just gone computerised in licensing dept