Taxi Driver Online

1.8 Bryan Roland (BR) noted that 95% of drivers were self-employed. Private hire operators were concerned that a one-tier system would not give them sufficient control over drivers to allow them to cope with demand. The labour market was a different shape in each area and it was not possible to say to what extent driving work represented the main source of income.

I cannot believe that in that meeting were three representatives from three unions, two of them very militant, yet a boss of bosses speaks about controlling drivers and not one of them puts it on record that he is talking out of his arse.

Shameful.

1.22 RP explained that the Law Commission was considering proposing a two-tier system with national standards for PHVs but a more local approach for taxi licensing. The main concerns here were the impact of technology on the distinction between the two and the extent to which the two trades were closely linked, for example in relation to training. He further noted that it may be possible in such a system for local authorities to create a de facto one-tier system by applying the national PHV standards to taxis.

Some please remind me WTF the Law Commission are on about here?

Exactly what has technology got to do with the number of tiers?

1.34 BR felt that much of the problem stemmed from the lack of alternatives such as night buses. He suggested that allowing taxis to have more than eight seats could help with clearing town centres. In 1982 the Department for Transport (DfT) had encouraged licensing authorities to licence vehicles with as many seats as possible, but since 1985 a taxi or PHV had to have eight seats or fewer.

1.37 The group generally was clearly against the concept of ranking for PHVs. MB felt that this would encourage cross-border issues with PHVs coming into town centres from outlying areas.

So to solve the problem of late night supply, we have more f***ing buses.

1.38 SW felt that allowing marshalled PHV ranks would destroy pre-booking as operators would lose control of their workforce. RP noted that the suggestions only extended to night-time and that what was envisaged was a window of de-regulation.

yes but they could be nine seater taxi buses... getting paid a subsidy

I doubt the boss of bosses was thinking about 9 seaters.

1.40 Patrick Raeburn (PR) explained that he operated entirely in the night-time economy, servicing clubs and bars. He was concerned that he would lose all his drivers if they were allowed to rank at night.

1.52 Bill Bowling (BB) explained that limousines encountered major problems with cross-border restrictions. They could not readily operate within just one area.

JU clarified that the Law Commission was not proposing boundaries in relation to PHVs.