Taxi Driver Online

Dear readers of this post,

Over the last few days, certainly in the last 24hrs, this post has become very popular, popular in the sense of reading and remarking, yet missing the obvious, its intention.

The post was created by ‘Mancityfan’ or George Ambler (the person not the pseudonym) in respect of a survey posted online by PHRC or Private Hire Reform Campaign to refer to their full terminology which seeks feedback from everyone (trade & public) surrounding the Law Commissions consultation into Taxi & Private Hire. Mancityfan has posted a link to his completed survey as the correct survey link is on PHRC website which points to a blank survey, therefore the survey has not been “pre-completed” by PHRC.

Why have they done this? To gain a broad understanding of what the trade and public need in terms of this trade? Or, for their own gain (although I don’t actually see what they have to gain from this, oh - unless a better future for the trade and public counts?). Therefore it can only be to gain understanding?

Focussing on the comments made within the post now , although I won’t embarrass each poster by name :
“Got very Bord doing it gave up half way through, some of the questions where totally stupid, The dark ages have gone so get over it” (Each question/proposal within the survey is in the exact wording issued by the Law Commission, therefore the Law Commission are “totally stupid”?
“Why if its a consultation are the questions already Primed and Part answered...damned fishy bit of Biased questioning there.” (Again, the questions/proposals are word for word those issued by the Law Commission).
“I think that is about the worst survey I have ever looked at. The authour of it needs to spend a bit more time on the presentation and explain the star system to contributors. I like the idea of getting driver's views, but this is a 2 out of 10 effort. Which is a shame." (At present, it’s the only survey I have seen that itemises each question/proposal from the consultation).
“OMG, that isn't official, that is a scam my e.mail out of me for spamming and phishing survey, expect your inbox to be busy if you submitted one to it.” (An assumption that’s incorrect, perhaps a little research needed before making a comment such as this).

Probably the most intelligent question within the posting is the one of “Who are the Private Hire Reform Campaign?” So who are they? Actually I can answer that because I am part of that group, and yes David Wilson (you know the bad man that simply should not be allowed near the trade and is probably barred from Sunderland and most probably Tunbridge Well now too for creating such a stir when he knew more than the councils and overturning illegal enforcement and restrictions of trade, that bad man) is an honorary contributor and advisor the PHRC. There is no payroll, there is no leader, there is no ulterior motive, and PHRC is and always has been a working group of people. A working group of Operators, Drivers, Hackney Drivers and Licensing Officers that merely dedicate some time to a campaign and that have found common ground over out-dated and restrictive legislation. Our group base covers all aspects of the trade and that of outside the trade and we value every ones opinions, is that so bad?

So perhaps instead of waving your whipping stick, you share your opinions of the Law Commissions consultation so that we (PHRC) can then post some great topics on this site from the feedback we have gain in order to open up some good dialogue that the Law Commission could take note of for the future of this trade?

“Load of bollox !” (Really?) Is it really that bad? NO!

Thank you for taking the time to read this,

Stewart Smith (AKA a member of PHRC).

Somebody sounds very rattled