Taxi Driver Online

'I've posted this because it's a timely reminder of what might happen to this trade if those people who advocate laxed entry controls ever get there way, as per Sefton.

Mr Trevor Jones as we all know, is a person who has an interest in a few cabs in Sefton mainly in partnership with other people. Mr Jones is one of those people who wanted the Sefton knowledge test scrapped, you might find this strange from a man who strongly advocates quantity vehicle restrictions? However the reasoning of Mr Jones is that any obstacle placed in the way of driver entry such as a knowledge test, could have the effect of reducing the flow of drivers? This is precisely what happened in Sefton and the reason why Private hire companies along with Mr Jones advocated that the test should be scrapped.

The local Sefton Taxi and private hire organisations are in favour of retaining entry standards, even as limited as they might be. This is in direct contrast with the thinking of Mr Jones.

The following article explains just where Mr Jones and some Private hire companies are coming from in respect of quality driver controls.
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Daily Post (Liverpool)

April 15, 2005, Friday

HEADLINE: PART OF TAXI TEST MAY BE SCRAPPED;

PROPOSALS COULD RESULT IN LOWER STANDARDS, CLAIM CRITICS

BYLINE: BY GRAHAM DAVIES

HALF of the taxi drivers' 'knowledge' test could be abolished in Sefton.

The exam, which tests on common routes in the borough, is believed to have led to a reduction in private hire drivers willing to take on the job. If the proposals are agreed, it means private hire drivers will only have to revise local landmarks.

And while private hire operators welcomed the news, bodies representing drivers claimed scrapping part of the test would lead to lower standards.

Luke McCormick, of South Sefton Hackney Drivers' Association, said: 'Prior to the test, some drivers were acquiring licences merely as a stopgap until they got a 'proper job'.

'Since the introduction of the test and other measures, the standard of drivers and vehicles has improved noticeably. It ensures that new drivers are motivated and have at least a basic understanding of some of the laws that will apply to them. The test ensures that the council can measure that knowledge Tony Holmes, of Southport Owners and Drivers Private Hire Association, added that the test gave the trade a sense of professionalism.

The test was introduced in 1993 at the request of hackney carriage representatives. Part one of the test consists of 20 questions on landmarks and licensing and driving rules. Part two, which would be removed under the proposals, asks applicants six questions based on Merseyside routes, taken from a bank of 40 questions Along with checks on criminal records, driving history and health, the test forms part of the council's measures to ensure each applicant is a 'fit and proper person' for the job.

But private hire firms claimed the test was a 'back door' method of deterring potential private hire drivers at the behest of the hackney carriage trade, which has council-imposed restrictions on numbers.

Some firms said the test was irrelevant because destinations are not confined to one borough, and directions could be sought from customers.

Trevor Jones, of the North West Taxi Association, said: 'As a person who worked a private hire car and a hackney cab for 20 years before the test was implemented, I can honestly say that it is a barrier to this trade that is not needed. The technology available renders it obsolete.

'A training day would be more appropriate, as we find that some drivers who have passed the test cannot even change a wheel.'

Sefton's licensing and regulatory committee is urged to approve the change on Monday
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What kind of a crap shot is that ,at Trevor Jones, for the last twenty years has worked for the good of the Sefton hackney trade . Without Trevor the Sefton hackney cab would have been screwed twenty years ago . So he works with the PH, hoping the private hire in Sefton concentrate there ef orts in Liverpool not Sefton. So ,Trevor is running scared who can blame him Delta 1000 cars SRC 400 . 200 hacks Come on give the man a chance . Have you ever been to Sefton?

I was kinda thinking that myself, although knowing Mr Jones he's big enough and bearded enough to look after himself (and his beretta).

CC

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

Getting rid of the knowledge test would be the worst thing that could happen. There are far too many PH drivers in Southport, there are three firms and a hackney firm that also does PH work.

One boss said that if the knowledge test was scrapped he could hire an extra 50 drivers the next day, this firm on a Saturday night (the third biggest in Southport) only have around 40-50 (at a guess) out working. Now not all those extra 50 cars would all work on a Saturday night but if 50% of them did then there would be far too many cars out as in Southport on a busy Saturday night if a punter has to wait over 10 minutes for a taxi then they are unlucky.

At the moment there are a lot of drivers who have been doing the job for a good few years and seem to want it to be their career. I myself have been driving now for nearly 10 years and see myself driving for the foreseeable future. If the knowledge test was scrapped and there were too many cars working in Southport meaning you will earn less in the future than you are now then I think it would turn into a stop gap job with most of the current drivers moving onto other jobs and the new drivers probably staying for only a few months before they got a better paid job.

The current PH fares are...

Tariff 1 - 5am til midnight
1st mile £2.20
each mile after £1.20

Tariff 2 - midnight til 5am
1st mile £2.75
each mile after £1.50

We last had a price increase in November 2002 and the last one before that was April 2000.

sounds like more greedy PH operators to me southport PH, but then I might be scoring points here

too many cars not enough work? jeez the HC trade say that each time dereg is mentioned

CC

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

Welcome back Trevor!

JD

JD,

Your freind is on holiday in Ireland at the moment, I think your perhaps mistaken.

regards

CC

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

Are you trying to say this site is not accessible in Ireland? I thought you were better informed than that?


Regards

JD

I take it you’re a fan of Mr. Trevor Jones, the man who advocates lowering Taxi driver standards in Sefton? I don't know why you're getting so heated about the reference to Mr Jones, unless of course you are of the same opinion that standards in Sefton should be lowered?

In respect of Mr Jones working for the good of the taxi trade for the last twenty years? Some might suggest that, "Mr Jones has worked for the good of Mr Jones" for the last twenty years?

I know Mr Jones Curriculum Vitae is documented somewhere on TDO but for the time being I can confirm that he no longer drives a cab and he relies on the restricted Taxi market in Sefton through the hiring of cabs to cab drivers, to supplement his income.

In the cab trade we have four categories of occupation. They are Driver, owner-driver, owner, and finally operator.

Mr Jones comes under the category of "Owner". You are no doubt aware that sometimes there are conflicts between what Owners want and what Drivers want? If you don't believe that then it's pointless even debating with you? The fact that Mr Jones is a person who has an interest in five or six vehicles is neither here nor there. What is of concern is that this owner is poking his nose into the business of Taxi Drivers when the two organisations that represent the Sefton Taxi and P/H trade are trying to maintain a certain level of standard that Mr Jones can't stomach.

If Mr Jones wants to parade his testimonials on this site he is quite welcome to do so but from past experience I've found him to be short on fact and long on wind.

Regards

JD

I have heard our Trevor has been banned from your forum . It would be nice if you let Mr Free plate Trevor Jones reply. You are trying to imply Mr Jones is for owners , Mr Jones who I have been aware of for many years , could have retired years ago . But remains an keen taxi enthusiast (thank god ). Mr JD I KNOW I AM THICK AND COME FROM BOOTLE , BUT ARE YOU REALLY A TAXI DRIVER FROM MANCHESTER . you don’t sound like a taxi driver . you don’t look like a duck , you don’t quack like a duck . You ain;t no duck . I have followed you r site for a few months you can not possibly no taxi driver .

Now if I said that I'd have been accused of alkinds

CC

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

I would have believed you though

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All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others.
George Orwell, "Animal Farm"

Wayne that’s the last time I go for a curry with you. So I had few to many Guinness last night. That’s no way to speak about your best friend .You for one, should have suspected, JD was a bit more than a Manchester Taxi driver especially the way he verbally, thrashes you every time you post on here. My theory as to who JD is. John Davis came from humble beginnings; his father was in fact a taxi driver. John went to a Manchester grammar school, he excelled of course. He then went on to do a law degree. Then something happened. What I am not sure, but he never finished his Law degree. John had to take a job as a clerk, in a Manchester law Firm. Where he works to this day. John now spends, his spare time on this web site combining his passion for taxis and the law. Making so called experts like you. Look shall we say not that bright .Now Wayne you have got to admit, John can not possibly know what he knows by reading a copy of button. He isn’t a taxi driver .What do you think? Best wishes TREV . PS LOVELY HOLIDAY .

And here's me thinking you were enjoying bushmills and guinness

Regards

CC

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

Apparently I was wrong JD

regards

CC

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