Taxi Driver Online

Taxi tyres decision defended

Darlington Borough Council has defended its decision to outlaw space-saver tyres in taxis. No longer is it allowed for taxis to carry a space-saver - a narrow wheel that is used as a spare in an emergency. They are issued as standard in many Ford and Fiat cars.

Darlington Borough Council had drawn criticism from cabbies who were angry at having to pay for a new spare wheel. George Jenkinson, who drives a taxi, said: "Space-savers are fitted on the factory floor and have been for nine or ten years. Why have they suddenly decided to ban them?"

A council spokeswoman said: "A space-saver tyre is designed to get the motorist home - it is not designed for long journeys or to be used at speed.

"The council's policy is, therefore, that all taxis should carry full spare tyres so a wheel can be changed quickly, wherever they may be, and the passenger is not inconvenienced. "Taxi drivers in the town were consulted, and agreed."

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IDFIMH

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IDFIMH

Can't really see the passenger not being inconvenienced if the car has a puncture, even though the council seems to expect F1-style wheel changes.

In the vast majority of cases I suspect another car would be called.

I mean, how many people on here have changed a wheel and continued on the journey with the passenger?

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Caledonian Cabbie

You presume the cab driver is on a radio circuit.

You presume a cab driver cant change a spare wheel in under 5 minutes.

CC

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

No, but I presume he'd be able to phone one.



Correct

And even if he/she could the passenger would still be invonvenienced.

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Caledonian Cabbie

I dont have a mobile.

I can change a spare tyre in about 5 minutes.......and I can tell the passenger the meter will be on stopped....or they can walk.

CC

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

The passsenger might have one

Failing that, the last couple of times I can recall having to dump a passenger I just flagged down a passing taxi, but I realise that that may not always be practical.





Well you must have it down to a fine art if you can do it in five minutes - any chance of a YouTube video?

I suspect the vast majority of drivers would be signficantly longer. In fact I've known taxi drivers who couldn't even change a wheel. And unless you're doing it often it always takes longer than you would imagine anyway.

I'd say nearer 15 minutes for most drivers, and that's probably being optimistic overall.

Any advance on that?

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Caledonian Cabbie

My tyre changing skills were developed as a child on FX4's.

Perhaps we should make it a condition of license.......that would get rid of a few people.

CC

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

Indeed, especially if five minutes was the limit

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Caledonian Cabbie

There is a school of thought that if "Unfit to deal with a wheelchair - de facto Unfit to change a wheel - and - if unfit to change a wheel is the driver fit and proper"?

I reserve my own position on this.

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Chris The Fish

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gdlyi5mc ... re=related

So I take it an additional test of doing the 100 metres in under 13 seconds wouldnt suffice either?

CC

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

Driving the sherbert - with a run up to the start?

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Chris The Fish

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gdlyi5mc ... re=related

That chap from Dundee would struggle with that one.

CC

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

Against the Scottish gibberish that has of late been spouted, CRS as a language has its merits.

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Chris The Fish

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gdlyi5mc ... re=related

Point taken....and not understood......they talk some pish though ffs.

CC

_________________
Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin