Taxi Driver Online

http://www.thecourier.co.uk/News/Dundee ... apped.html

Edinburgh taxi driver warns service will diminish if Dundee taxi numbers are capped


By Craig McManamon

An Edinburgh cab driver has warned Dundee residents they will be hit with a diminished service if the number of taxis operating in the city is capped.

The Dundee Taxi Association (DTA), the local branch of Unite union and a number of elected officials have all backed calls to limit the number of registered badge holders and taxi vehicles.

They argue the move will improve the city's service as well as provide drivers with a greater income.

However, Jim Taylor, who has driven his cab on Edinburgh roads for the past 17 years and who is part of a small group pursuing a legal battle aimed at overturning the capital's own taxi limit, said any restriction will only lead to longer waiting times for passengers.

Mr Taylor, a well-known figure within Scotland's taxi industry and a former secretary of the now defunct trade lobby group, CABforce, spoke on the issue after comments made by Dundee West MSP Joe FitzPatrick.

Last week [FitzPatrick] called on Dundee City Council to consider a limit saying it would bring the city in line with many other local authorities.

The point is disputed by Mr Taylor, who used to be a staunch supporter of a cap during his time with CABforce before "changing his mind" in recent years.

"Most in Scotland don't restrict and in Aberdeen and West Lothian the cap has been removed," he said. "Edinburgh is beleaguered in a 'de-restriction' battle with appeals in court and a human rights case coming around the corner.

"I guess taxi drivers in Dundee failed to explain this to him."

Quality control

Improving Dundee's taxi service, he added, requires the implementation of quality control and not reducing the number of drivers out on the road.

However, Mr FitzPatrick claims a cap will improve professionalism in the service and may benefit passengers as well as the trade — something Mr Taylor dismissed as "balderdash."

"Capping taxis creates shortage, inflates plate premiums, inflates rentals for drivers and ultimately means fewer taxis for hire on the streets," he said.

In response, Mr FitzPatrick made it clear he does not share the Edinburgh man's viewpoint, saying the situation in Dundee is very different.

"Mr Taylor is a resident of Edinburgh and will be reflecting his experiences as such, which will be different to those in Dundee, and I have suggested that Mr Taylor contact his local MSP in Edinburgh to pass on his views," he said.

"Ultimately it is for Dundee City Council licensing committee to look at the operation of the taxi service in the city and consider whether capping the number of licences might be the solution to the difficulties."

Dundee Taxi Association remain resolute that the industry wants a cap to be brought into place. Secretary of the DTA Tony Waters added, "It is just common sense for Dundee to have a limit on the numbers of taxis.

"There is not enough rank spaces for a start and it will help ensure drivers get a better living. I just can't understand why Mr Taylor has made remarks on a matter that does not really have anything to do with him."

Dundee licensing board committee is expected to discuss a cap option early next month when the findings of a report, commissioned by the body, will go before councillors.


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Perhpas Tony can now tell us:-

1. At what level any cap should be set?

2. If the level is lower than the existing licences who loses their licence?

3. How does your rotectionist attempt at restricting the number of "badge" holders and taxis sit with European Employment Law, Human Rights and European competition regultions?

The consequence of a cap on licences will be a swelling labour pool of drivers for a limited nyumber of available shifts. This will be reflected in artificial rental premiums being charged to drivers and artificial shortage premiums of licences accruing through the transfer of licence plates - up to £50,000 in Edinburgh.

Licences will be transferred as a direct result of drivers being denied unfettered access to the tools of their trade.

It's going to cost drivers more, so how does this benefit drivers?

Now will you answer the question Tony?

And, aren't Dundee City Council being asked to grant special pirivileges to the Dundee Taxi trade, to give owners a licence shortage bonus, and to breach the fundamental rights of those who work in the trade, and especially those who would wish to work in the trade at a time of increasing unemployment?

BTW Joe FitzPatrick's attempt to localise the issue and try to ignore reasoned argument, and failing to address the issues raised, reflects the paucity of our elected representatives.

FitzPatrick has been sold a pup by DTA. He's allowed himself to be caught on the back foot. He's shown us all his true mettle.

And for any politician to be seen to be advocating protectionist commercial policy while the Nation operates a free market is reprehensible - a point amply made by Aberdeen's Corporate Services Director.

Fortunately there is an election looming.

Meanwhile perhaps Economist and First Minister, Alex Salmond will be kind enough to confirm that Joe FitzPatrick is not in breach of the concordat with COSLA and that the protectionist measures he is calling for are part of SNP official policy?

I'll keep you posted.

Had this letter e-mailed to me, and it appears it's been sent to the Courier.

Alex

I was bemused by dismissive comments from Joe FitzPatrick MSP (February 9), who said that an Edinburgh cabbie who contacted the Courier regarding the possible effects of a cap on taxi numbers in Dundee "will be reflecting his experiences" in the capital and should thus contact his local MSP to "pass on his views".

However, it was Mr FitzPatrick who a couple of days earlier was citing evidence from Perth, Edinburgh and Glasgow in support of the principle of capping numbers, so his latest stance is puzzling to say the least.

And perhaps he could explain his claim that a cap on numbers would "improve professionalism" in the trade, because all the evidence suggests that such matters are purely down to direct regulation rather than numerical controls.

For example, isn't it the case that vehicle standards in Dundee are significantly better than when numbers were restricted a decade or so ago?

It's not that removing the numbers cap had anything to do with that. More relevant perhaps were quality control measures implemented by the council, not to mention more competition in the sector.

Whatever the other arguments about capping taxi numbers, "improving professionalism" is surely a red herring.

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ʎɐqǝ uo pɹɐoqʎǝʞ ɐ ʎnq ı ǝɯıʇ ʇsɐן ǝɥʇ sı sıɥʇ

Simply the best taxi forum in the whole wide world. www.taxi-driver.co.uk

You really are a cock of the highest order arent you??

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Do not argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience.

Believe me, don't get Mercury X2

An incisive counter argument.
You should send it to the courier and see if they print it.

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

I think they'll print themselves when they find out what a cock they are dealing with.

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Do not argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience.

Believe me, don't get Mercury X2

You could always debate the points he makes, instead of attacking the man himself.

He has told the courier that restriction won't work and that the people behind the move want it for their own selfish reasons and to the detriment of the good people of Dundee.

Taylor is a cock and we're not playing isn't much of a case to present against it.

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

its all they have ever had (pardon lol)


quality first strike capabilities jasbar.

Scotland is a socialist country so i am amused at those L.As up there have protectionism in the taxi trade. I would have thought they would see it as a land owner-peasant relationship and therefor deregulate the trade and be done away with plate/rent values. i wonder how many plate owners are socialists and labour voters, who would not tolerate a landowner / peasant society.

Indeed, and interestingly the SNP making the running here consider themselves more socialist than Labour.

Mind you, just about every other party does as well.

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Caledonian Cabbie

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Caledonian Cabbie

Evidence to disprove another old chestnut?

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Caledonian Cabbie

Msp Joe FitzPatrick shares my view that no 2 LA's are the same when it comes to Taxi licencing, We cannot use Edinburgh and compare it with another City, Edinburgh is a limited market fact, restriction works in Edinburgh and anybody with half a brain knows we cannot have an unlimited number of Hacks, to have an un-limited amount of Hacks we would de-stabilise our whole public transport system, all is fair in love and public transport and it's through competition that we carry on

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Alway's been about Tightening the Grip!

Aye, when it suits

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Caledonian Cabbie

Dougie, if FitzPatrick shares your views, then I suspect both of you arrived on the same space ship.