Taxi Driver Online

You are of course spot on. And it's PH firms with names like "Handsome Cabs" and "Yellow cabs" that try to pretend they offer a "Taxi" service.
It is they that muddy the waters, and cause the confusion.
Crikey, some PH drivers here are so convinced that they are driving a "Taxi" they stop on Ranks, and pick up flag downs.

So what about a private hire car fitted with a TAXIMETER is it a taxi or a private hire does the customer care NO he just wants a car

Which is why unlicensed vehicles pick up unwary passengers and take them home. Or not. The lucky ones get taken home.

To misquote the racist element, A dog born in a stable is a dog, not a horse.

(2) The Secretary of State shall grant a London PHV licence for a vehicle if he is satisfied-

(a) that the vehicle-
(i) is suitable in type, size and design for use as a private hire vehicle;
(ii) is safe, comfortable and in a suitable mechanical condition for that use; and
(iii) is not of such design and appearance as would lead any person to believe that the vehicle is a London cab;

My understanding is that the word "TAXI" describes a vehicle licensed under the Hackney Carriage act and a venue should not therefore include the word "TAXI" in any sign advertising a car or "minicab" service.
The LTDA has successfully sued venue proprietors for even including a gap between the word mini and cab!
Like the previous writers however I am not holding my breath while waiting for the police to take any action never mind the PCO.

scroll down to the court case York in the link below, PH with the words cabs on their vehicles
http://www.tapin2taxis.co.uk/court-cases.asp

I think the differnce stems from the fact that the PHV legislation for London was a made a good bit stricter as regards what can be displayed on a PH.

For example, it's illegal for minicab firms to advertise using the word taxi or cab, but clearly things are a lot more relaxed in the provinces:

31. - (1) This section applies to any advertisement-

(a) indicating that vehicles can be hired on application to a specified address in London;
(b) indicating that vehicles can be hired by telephone on a telephone number being the number of premises in London; or
(c) on or near any premises in London, indicating that vehicles can be hired at those premises.


(2) No such advertisement shall include-

(a) any of the following words, namely "taxi", "taxis", "cab" or "cabs", or
(b) any word so closely resembling any of those words as to be likely to be mistaken for it,
(whether alone or as part of another word), unless the vehicles offered for hire are London cabs.

(3) An advertisement which includes the word "minicab", "mini-cab" or "mini cab" (whether in the singular or plural) does not by reason only of that fact contravene this section.

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Taxi Driver Online
www.taxi-driver.co.uk

Only because the council let them get away with it.

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IDFIMH

I think the biggest culprits, if that's the right word, are the black cab circuits that supply PH.

I wonder if the LTDA will be taking action against them.

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IDFIMH

As far as I am aware, there are five Council districts in the UK who do not require Hackney Carriages with Meters in them.

Thre are no legal requirements for Hackneys to have meters in them, as far as I am aware.

Dont think there were meters in the early days of Hackney's (or Taxi's).

Neither our Council, Nor Tom Thumbs, to my belief, actually set a Tariff for Hackney Carriages.

I would probably prefer it if they did. So, Jimbo, if you have any legislation I can use to push the Council into specifying meters and fixing rates, I would like to hear about it.

But the OFT wont want to hear about it, I believe. I well remember our area being investigated by the OFT for so-called rate fixing between operators. We had plenty of laughs about that one. They spent a whole day in my office going through our paperwork, before I pointed out to them what the norm was in fixing taxi fares, and gave them a copy of PHM.

I wonder if someone (a County Council, for example) could get prosecuted for rigging bus fares when they are operating small PSVs? Or the SRA maybe, for rigging Train Fares. Shame we dont have a "Virgin" taxi operation yet isnt it.

This legislation lark is all so much fun, isn't it.

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There is Significant Unmet Demand for my Opinion.

Hello Andy7, I think your comment

This legislation lark is all so much fun, isn't it.

Says it all,
Jeff

That's an interesting one about the OFT.

Of course, LAs performing regulatory functions aren't subject to competition law, and thus can set taxi fares with impunity.

If they don't set fares, then I suspect that if all the local firms charge the same then it might look like they are price-fixing.

But clearly, if the LA does set a fare, if all the local firms charge it, then prima facie there's no evidence of price fixing.

However, I suspect that if local firms agreed not to discount from the council-set rate then that would amount to price fixing as well. However, in the normal course of events, because it's not necessary to actually collude with other firms to all charge the council set rates, then there's no chance of prima facie evidence of price fixing.

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Taxi Driver Online
www.taxi-driver.co.uk