Taxi Driver Online

Done.

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IDFIMH

What is going to replace it.

The whole licensing rules are a shambles with councils having their own pet hates etc. Why not a national licence for TAXI ( the public cannot tell the difference between HC and PH). A similar licence for special events such as limo's (but not allowed to carry local fares by either mileage or time minimum). Why pick on one area when it will only drive them underground, the councils and VOSA do not have enough funds (they say) to monitor the situation.

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you can check out any time you like, but you can never leave.

Yes, it's a mess now and will still be a mess even if the exemption is repealed, but on the other hand I think it will force a lot of currently unlicensed vehicle to license or disappear.

Which can only be a good thing IMHO

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

I second that post

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Legal and proud

Loads a love from BERTIE !!

ahh, we disagree

but the site needs applauded

CC

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

If the public cannot tell the difference between taxis and private hire it is simply because private hire drivers firstly make their vehicles look like a taxi and secondly break the law by picking up illegally.

Either of these would give cause to believe that the private hire drivers in question are neither fit or proper to hold such a position of trust.

If the council don't have enough funds to properly manage the service then it needs to charge more for each licence it grants or renews.

I'll also tell you that a National policy for taxis will not work, as in this country rural areas have different demands than urban areas, you are assuming that every area is the same demographically as your own ......... that fact is that areas differ and the councils remain best placed to manage the taxi and private hire services in such a way that delivers best service to the users in their area.

B. Lucky

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"Here's a simple solution. If you don't want to pay more for a premium service then wait in the queue, problem solved".
Skull on TDO

TF pi$$ed on his chips.

But if PH drivers are dressing up their cars to look like taxis then surely that's because council policies accomodate this, so why cast doubt on the fitness of drivers in this regard?




Well I've heard this rhetoric often enough, but when an explanation is sought none is forthcoming.

So, what are these 'different demands' which preclude a national policy for trade regulation?




But if, as you comlain above, councils are allowing PH cars to look like taxis, are allowing PH drivers to ply for hire and won't raise sufficient funds through licensing fees to properly manage the service, then doesn't that somewhat contradict your argument?

As was pointed out to you recently, your years of complaint about Gateshead Council fundamentally undermined your 'councils know best' argument, but still you plough on regardless

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

So are we going to fight ourselves over this issue, or are we going to make an attempt, however small, to get rid of un-licensed vehicles?

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IDFIMH

In Gateshead we have a small urban area with most of our demographic area being rural (although not as rural as some).

The HC licensed within our area seek work from the urban area with PH operations taking care of the rural demand.

In most rural areas the only form of dependable public transport is the PH operations.

Now I know you will argue that someone could offer a PH service and use a taxi HOWEVER in 2010 Gateshead Council will need to adopt the DDA meaning all taxis will need to be accessible by 2020.

Accessible vehicles cost significantly more than a saloon and so a higher number of jobs need to be completed in order to make their purchase viable, this would not be achieved in a rural area.

Retaining PH operations in rural area will provide greater opportunities for drivers to make the money they need locally, therefore providing public transport services to communities who rely on them most.

Its clear to see that even the most rural areas of Gateshead are certainly more populated than other areas in the UK, so it follows that the difficulties people who live outside our town and city centres encounter greater difficulties availing themselves to public transport, a service which would become less available if your proposed legislation were to be introduced.

B. Lucky

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"Here's a simple solution. If you don't want to pay more for a premium service then wait in the queue, problem solved".
Skull on TDO

TF pi$$ed on his chips.

In Gateshead we have a small urban area with most of our demographic area being rural (although not as rural as some).

The HC licensed within our area seek work from the urban area with PH operations taking care of the rural demand.

In most rural areas the only form of dependable public transport is the PH operations.

Now I know you will argue that someone could offer a PH service and use a taxi HOWEVER in 2010 Gateshead Council will need to adopt the DDA meaning all taxis will need to be accessible by 2020.

Accessible vehicles cost significantly more than a saloon and so a higher number of jobs need to be completed in order to make their purchase viable, this would not be achieved in a rural area.

Retaining PH operations in rural area will provide greater opportunities for drivers to make the money they need locally, therefore providing public transport services to communities who rely on them most.

Its clear to see that even the most rural areas of Gateshead are certainly more populated than other areas in the UK, so it follows that the difficulties people who live outside our town and city centres encounter greater difficulties availing themselves to public transport, a service which would become less available if your proposed legislation were to be introduced.

B. Lucky

_________________
"Here's a simple solution. If you don't want to pay more for a premium service then wait in the queue, problem solved".
Skull on TDO

TF pi$$ed on his chips.

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"Here's a simple solution. If you don't want to pay more for a premium service then wait in the queue, problem solved".
Skull on TDO

TF pi$$ed on his chips.

[/quote]

You cannot sy thats its my "council's know best" argument when the government stipulate that that is there current position.

When you start negotiating with local government, instead of playing at it, you will discover that they seek advice from their own political party, in our case that party are in government.

Therefore greater progress will be made quicker if you understand the basis on which they operate.

My argument has always been "the government state that local councils are best placed to decide local issues, so why are you (gateshead council)then stating that you can't make that decision based on governmental advice".

B. Lucky

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"Here's a simple solution. If you don't want to pay more for a premium service then wait in the queue, problem solved".
Skull on TDO

TF pi$$ed on his chips.

So you're saying that because the Govt takes the same stance as you on this then it's not your position?

I suspect that other groups and people concur with everything you say, so does that mean that you don't have any arguments.

No, I suspect you're just waffling.

All that you mean is that it's not your argument exclusively, but very few arguments are exclusive to one person, so your point is meaningless.





How do you know about my negotiations with local government?

Answer - you don't.

And I wouldn't use one council's methodology as a basis to decide the methodology of three hundred and odd others, particularly since you often castigate others for doing just that.

But, on the other hand, Gateshead have often justified their stance on restricted numbers in recent years by reference to Govt advice, so I can agree with that point





So you're now an expert on local governance now?

But I wouldn't get too theoretical - it's more about ignorance and the dirty world of politics rather than grand theories.



Seems a strong element of hair-splitting here, but the question is whether YOU think Govt is best placed to decide these issues; it's not a matter of just parotting what either Gateshead or the Govt says.

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

WTF?

You're saying that PH is required in rural areas. I wouldn't disagree with that. Then you're saying that councils must comply with the DDA starting from 2010, making all taxis accessible. I wouldn't disagree with that either (apart from the point that the dates are not yet set in stone).

But I can't really see link between the two - if the DDA was implemented tomorrow in Gateshead all that would happen is that the saloon taxi would have to become WAVs by 2020 at the latest - correct? So surely this wouldn't have any effect on rural PH operations?

And anyway, your argument is more about the DDA rather than the efficacy of a national taxi licensing scheme.



Ditto.

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

breaking their conditions of license would be a start

but sussex is right, this thread should be about the licensed trades wanting rid of unlicensed vehicles and drivers

CC

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