Tom Thumb wrote:
A few years back I put a batch of Fiat Multiplas on my fleet. I thought they would make an ideal taxi, very very spacious, the option of a fifth seat when required. I also thought they would be a good 'brand' image.
Within months we had lost a large section of our 'old lady' customer base. Only one bothered to ring me and say why she didn't want to use us. Many didn't want to 'cause a problem ' by saying don't send one. Most just stopped ringing.
I still see two or three of our old 'regulars' getting into competitors cars every week.
In defence of the Fiat, the taller elderly folks loved it because they could slid in and out, but they are in the minority.
About five years ago, just after the DDA, I was approach by a salesman for LTI, cutely telling me that I would soon 'have to buy' his vehicles. He wanted to arrange a demonstration for me. I suggested that when he turned up we should take his 'cab' to an old folks home and let them compare it with a saloon. He declined my offer, apparently a demonstration couldn't include a 'customer assessment'.
Tom,
nevertheless you do today have wheelchair capacity dont you?
Look, we as a hackney industry are going throug a very dangerous phase
these forums are looked at by licensing officers and the dross they are reading!
We can under government rules have those salloons that have back loading and we can keep the characteristics we love and cherich, but we must have nevertheless wheelchair accessible.
no matter how much we have moans its got to happen, we have LTI spinning like hell on crap, we have fellow drivers running thier own adgendas by backing LTI only to create market barriers
during the last 3 months I find it almost beyond belief the things said on alternative vehicles many have prooved to be lies.
get this wrong and many of us are out of the game.
just one question to end Tom, if those swivel seats are useless and you are prepared to give them away, which implies they are of no value to you, why let them take up space?
Tom as an experienced hand we need you help in these testing times, and with all the love and respect in the world your last posting on this issue could have been more helpfull, that goes for you too Alex.
Wharfie
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