Taxi Driver Online

Taxi service not hail and hearty

Black-cab drivers from Borehamwood who are licensed to work in other areas have been urged to pick up more fares in their home town. Members of Hertsmere Borough Council's licensing committee say they are concerned the area could be suffering from a lack of licensed taxis operating during the evenings, particularly on Fridays and Saturdays.

At a meeting on Wednesday, councillors agreed to consult Hertfordshire police and said they were keen to hear from black-cab drivers about the feasibility of additional drivers working in the area. In a letter to the committee, Paul Watkins, of Cowley Hill, Borehamwood, speaking on behalf of Hertsmere Hackney Cab Drivers, said they felt the idea would be unworkable' and that they were not pleased' about it.

But at Wednesday's meeting, councillor Robert Calcutt said it would be in the interest of residents to look into getting more taxis on the streets at late times of the day.

Councillor Leon Reefe, a black-cab driver who operates in London, added: "We need to emphasise that we are not trying to diminish the earning capabilities of existing taxi drivers in Hertsmere. "It is about getting people off the streets at night and getting them home safely."

By law, it is an offence for a taxi licensed for one area to operate in another, but drivers can apply for a dual licence. Councillors said they were keen to hear from other black-cab drivers about the issue. It is due to be debated again at the next meeting of the licensing committee, scheduled for Tuesday, July 10, at 10am, at Hertsmere civic offices.

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IDFIMH

I'm glad this issue came up because it highlights the fact that councils issue taxi licenses they can't tell Taxi drivers how to work or when to work and thats a matter of fact.

Regards

JD

Which does beg the question as to why SUD surveys always say (if SUD if found) that more taxis are needed, yet never address the issue of who is going to drive them.

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IDFIMH

Thats an extremely valid point but you lead us on to another point because when there is a shortage of drivers the first people to scream are multiple owners and this is when you get the hue and cry that standards need to be relaxed so that more people have a chance of passing any knowledge test and quality controls that might be in force?

Regards

JD