Taxi Driver Online

It has come to my notice that in the 1990's Vivian Bendell MP was a firm supporter of the London Taxi Trade. Here is an article from 1993 where Mr Bendall predicts the demise of the London Cab trade under a two tier licensing system? History has taught us that at times many Politicians talk a lot of nonsence, this is one example of "intentional" scare mongering which shows the manipulative side of Mr Bendall.
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Evening Standard (London)

March 26, 1993, Friday

HEADLINE: MINICABS 'MAY FINISH OFF' BLACK TAXIS

BYLINE: Peter Oborne

BODY:
BLACK taxis may vanish from the London scene if Government plans to license mini-cabs go ahead, it was warned today.

Ilford MP Vivian Bendall said a 'two-tier' system of licences being considered by London Transport Minister Steve Norris would drive London's black taxis out of business.

Mr Bendall was speaking before a Commons debate this afternoon on the future of the London taxi.

The Government has plans to license the thousands of mini-cab businesses which operate alongside the much more famous and familiar black cabs in London.

At present, while it takes several years to acquire 'The Knowledge' to become a black cab driver, the mini-cab business is almost completely unregulated.

Anyone with a current driving licence can become a driver and often has only the vaguest understanding of how to get around London.

Mr Norris is expected shortly to announce the new licensing system. But it is feared mini-cabs' less exacting licence qualifications would put black cabs out of business.
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So it was generally accpeted that regulating minicabs would mean less of them, but then the next leap in logic was that fewer minicabs would mean the black cab trade going out of business

But I suppose it was this kind of thinking that meant some in the black cab trade didn't want licensing at all.

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

Fred Housego of Mastermind fame said "Minicabs shouldn't be licensed at all".

The main body of opinion was that minicabs shouldn't be licensed but if they were to be licensed then it had to be to the standard of black cabs. Meaning of course the knowledge test.

It wasn't until late 1993/94 that they started to realise they couldn't get a one tier system but it didn't stop them trying.

I wonder how long it will be before GBC accepts the facts and resigns his self denial?

Regards

JD

Fred Housecoat will will have his opinions as I have mine, facts however speak for themselves, subject of course to what spin is placed around them.

Going back a couple of weeks you may recall the point I made, was in reply to your suggestion that the London Taxi trade did'nt want / opposed licensing of the Minicab trade, yes?

Now we are onto the fact that the Taxi trade wanted the Minicab trade to be licensed to our own standards?

So, if they wanted Minicabs to be licensed to our own high standards, how can the London Taxi trade be against a licensing regime?

Some individuals such as Fred Housecoat and the late Harry Feigan obviously were, but they're individuals, not the voice of 25'000.
There are some officers of the LTDA who have some radical views, but don't speak on behalf of the 9000 members.

I'm not sure what the problem is with making PH and Hackney carriages do the same entry standard, as has been posted on this forum before it would seem many licensing areas in the country have the same standards for both types of drivers with no great problem.

I had a conversation with Gary Slattery of the LTDA during early 1999 on this very subject, both of us knew there would be no problem with the licensing of the opposition, because both of us knew many would be forced out of the trade because of their criminal past's, neither of us expected 20K to leave, that was a bonus.

Others who say Minicabs are now in a position to bid for and take more contracts, well they were doing that back in the eighties when I appeared on the scene, the big difference is now their prices are about the same as the Radio Taxi circuits.

Self-denial? I never deny myself anything.

Bar the CRO check, whats changed?

GBC the Word is "SEPERATE" licensing regime. In other words if Minicabs are going to be licensed they should be licensed under hackney carriage legislation and not private hire legislation. That "was" at the time the position of the London Taxi trade, whether you or I like it or not?

Now can you please answer my posts in respect of the London Taxi trades response to the 1994 select committee where they advocated a one tier licensing system which incorporated the knowledge test and making minicabs illegal. Can you also respond to the letter of Mr Trotter who set out the position of the LTB? Are you suggesting Mr Trotter was wrong and you are right?

Regards

JD

Mr Trotter has nothing to do with London Taxi drivers, but you will be aware of that now after reading my response under another topic you started over on the licensing section.

That was'nt the original reason this discussion started. It was claimed the trade was against licensing full stop.

Surely there are two ways that the black cab trade could be against licensing?

1 Leave things as they were

2 A one-tier system, ie ban, don't license.

But both can be characterised as the black cab trade being against the licensing of minicabs?

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

Oh dear GBC you appear to be up to your neck in it again.hows it feel to be humiliated so comprehensively.Still I feel the two sections should attempt too work together against our exploiters.Much too radical for a **** like you though.
ORGANISE EDUCATE AGITATE Or in your case GORMO humiliate!!!!!!

its nice to see a get at GBC week

CC

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

Well its a bad night on the box and how can you miss that pratt.

So you concur with his views on immigrants/immigration then?

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

Up to my neck in it?

You mean like the debt your masters are in?

How's your arteries? ready for the big seizure yet?

You see Terrence that's the difference, I'll debate and fight my corner, you resort to abuse or try to change the subject, but illiterate fools like yourself always do, that's why your the Minicab rep.

Your not the brightest button in the box are you?