Taxi Driver Online

All this malarkey about public and private hire, the only difference is a phone call, and having to return to base.
A punter standing on a corner sticks his hand out, and if a private stops to pick him or her up, what rules has he broken apart from a phone call, he is still insured to carry punters Yes he will be private only but he is still insured for hire or reward
No wonder the trades all messed up

Most insurance policies now say something along the lines like 'insured if driver adheres to local council conditions'.

If a PH picks up without a booking, then it's fair to say he isn't adhering to local conditions. Thus neither the driver nor vehicle will be insured.

That said any customers will always be insured. Not matter what the brain-dead might imply.

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IDFIMH

Providing of course that they had Insurance in the first place?

Customers will still be insured even if the vehicle has no insurance, via the Motor Insurers' Bureau.

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IDFIMH

\ yeh it will look great on skips thats what miniscabs drive round in falling apart no licence no insurance dont know were they are going no brains ban dont licence join the ltda ta

Is that the same LTDA that didn't bother replying to the PCO report?

Too much mouth and not enough do, if you ask me.

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IDFIMH

Have you heard anything yet Sussex?

GBC you've a good memory...!!

bet you've been watching and waiting haven't ya...

Well GBC this is how I think it will pan out:-

Signage will probably be of the Addison Lee rear window design, it may well be compulsory, this will also help silence the "People will hail a Private Hire Vehicle on the street if signage is introduced" argument as the public will not be able to see the signage until the vehicle has already passed by them.

This of course will be the catalyst for bus lane access as this will also silence the "Normal motorist will follow Private Hire Vehicles into the bus lanes" fraternity as the vehicle will be clearly identifiable by normal motorists as a Private Hire Vehicle.

The safety of the general public will be better served as they will be able to look at the back window of the Private Hire Vehicle on its arrival to see if the driver is from the company they booked with.

Bus lane access is inevitable for the following reasons:-

"I want Private Hire to be part of Londons Integrated Transport Strategy" - Kens words.

Black Taxis are operated by private individuals.

Coaches are operated by private companies.

Buses are operated by private companies.

The London Underground is the only part of Ken Livingstones Integrated Transport Policy that is not wholly privatised.

Based on these facts there is no logical reason why Licenced Private Hire in London should not have equal access to the Bus Lanes - something that someone with clout and money like John Griffin is inevitably going to challenge in the courts if access is not forthcoming.

The problem of individuals illegally licencing their vehicles to avoid the Congestion Charge will need to be addressed before Bus Lane access is granted will to an extent be alleviated by signage. The PCO could also go back to the old method requiring Private Hire Operators to register their drivers vehicles for the Congestion Charge and introduced the mandatory requirement to produce Hire & Reward Insurance at the time of Vehicle Testing. With these simple changes in place this fraud could be all but eliminated.

Personally I can see no logical reason why an inefficient form of transport i.e. Black Cabs or Private Hire Vehicles carrying generally just one or two people should have access to Bus Lanes anymore than any other member of the public carrying out their own journeys across London.

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"Where to, Guv'?. Na sorry not going my way"

OOPs posted twice

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"Where to, Guv'?. Na sorry not going my way"

Interesting theory Blobby.

I think your belief and faith in the ageing socialist that claims to be London's mayor is a bit misguided. A Minicab driver put that very point to him on LBC the other month (Private cars registered as Licensed Minicabs) and Livingstones response was 'it's not a problem and I don't see it ever being one' or words to that effect. So it would appear he has no intention of changing the registration process. Let's see how much the LPH fleet increases by next month when the extension comes into force.

I can't see the 'Mercedes' wing of the Minicab operation being happy with 'Maurice's Merc's' plastered over their back windows.

Would you be happy Ollie?

John Griffen has been remarkably quiet on the whole subject, but given that Bus lane legislation is mainly the remit of the DOT, I'd watch with interest.

Time will tell, but I don't think it will be as straightforward as your post suggests.

Blobby NO private hire proprietor has any drivers, they are agencies we pay a fee too!
Agree presentation of PH Insurance at test centres should be mandatory!
I am sure Signage will arrive soon, including COMMERCIAL ADS [coca-cola or the like] in effect any style of signage we want!!!!!!!!!!
DECISIONS ARE TAKEN BY THOSE THAT TURN UP!

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The views expressed by this contributor do not neccesarily reflect the policys of The GMB Nationally or of the GMB London Region.

Yes I heard plenty, alas f*** all about London PH signage.

Which IMO is a shame.

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IDFIMH

Just a quick question, if I came down to london, and went through the congestion zone would I be charged for doing so, I have a saloon, licenced as a taxi, with plates and top sign, and can use the bus lanes in Edinburgh when I'm up there so I see no reason why the same should apply in London