Taxi Driver Online

Er, one of the problems, is knowing who I am. I gather from Andy, that I am other Andy (as per Dundee site), so that means you are Andy too. But, are you Brighton Andy? Nope. Thats Andy with the Skoda Superb. So, it must be me then. Right, now thats sorted:

I don't have a secret source at the OFT, just an old schoolfriend who works there. In a way, she is a secret source, as although she is not secret, she won't, or can't or simply does not know enough to tell me anything of ultra-significant substance.

As for buying a new motor at Sandown, don't hold yer breath for a delivery date fer chrisakes. I ordered mine at Donny, and by the date it arrived 1st September, they hadn't done the conversion and I ended up with a nice new Vito F**** van!

Likewise, I shouldn't hold my breath for the TGWU to do much either.

And, I wouldn't hold my breath for the OFT report mate. I reckon its off to the Competition Commission next. Then, to Parliament for inclusion in some distant future Bill. Then, three readings in The Commons, Three readings in The Lords, not to mention the committee time and all those ammendments debates, and then to the Department of Transport for them to set a date for a statutory instrument and enforcement. Hmmmm. I reckon, if you want to conform to the new regulations, order a Merc from Jubillee. But, order the Intergalactic Cab with instant improbability drive and perpetual bullsh*t spouting robodriver. You should get delivery just about the same time as the OFT report is released, say, hmmm, halfway through the next millenium?

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There is Significant Unmet Demand for my Opinion.

At least Superb Andy isn't on here to cause further confusion!!

If he knows about the site he probably saw our Brighton story and ran a mile!

Dusty

He would be more than welcome, if for no other reason than my blood pressure is too low at the mo, and needs rising.

This investigation. I work in a 99% taxi council. Do you think it will affect me and how if you do.

I suspect that at the end of the day there will be more nationally set standards and perhaps even fares set at a regional level.

Whether these will just be administered by the existing LAs or maybe a new body headed by a taxi tsar, who knows?

But if you are nearly 100% taxi then I suspect it's not difficult to put a car on or get a badge in your manor Ian (like mine), so to that extent the bar could end up being higher in your neck of the woods.



Dusty

The OFT report is due out at the end of this month.

The Government then have 90 days to publish their response.

Consequently, if Ministers were to decide to reform this law in some way as a result of their considerations or through accepting OFT recommendations, it would inevitably be some years before a change could be implemented. In the meantime,
the status quo would prevail, ie councils which restrict the issue of taxi licences would be expected to carry out unmet demand surveys in accordance with existing, and still current, laws.


B. Lucky

Unless they refer the market to the Competition Commission

Dusty

caution, it was actualy due at the end of last month,
as for giving the government 90 days to respond, they gave thier response 2 years ago!

Wharfie

So in the meantime they would be expected to carry out expensive 'pointless bureaucracy'.

I don't think so, and for that matter neither will the 'best value' officer, nor the District Auditor.

If it doesn't go to the CC, then 'good practice' guidance will be forth coming from the DOT, and that wont include 'pointless bureaucracy'.

Or, the Government could respond within 90 days, that is is going to pass the matter to committee.

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There is Significant Unmet Demand for my Opinion.

Well as long as they let me chair it, that's fine.

My quote above was from an e-mail recieved from the Department of Transport.

B. Lucky

P.s Nidge has seen the full correspondance, why do you think so many smiley faces

aLL i CAN SAY IS THERE IS NOTHING IN THE ACT OR GUIDANCE THAT A LOCAL AUTHORITY MUST CARRY OUT SURVEYS

merely that if there is a challenge it is for authorities to proove demand is met, however it goes on to say "they should not rely on the assersion of taxi drivers, they only see the demand they meet"

Taxi drivers are a unique bread of untrusted animals, who no longer allowed to sit on government bodies, everytime they are bribed they think it is a tip.

Wharfie

Does it not provide an obligation for a council that undertakes a survey for un-met demand to continue to undertake such surveys at regular intervals.

What I mean is that if council changes local legislation becuase of an un-met demand surveys results does it not need to continue to undertake surveys in order to justify the legislatory change, ie if a survey was to find an extra 19 plates were required over the next three years would it not be required to undertake another survey after those three years to assess any further requirements.

Or does the councils right to take no action justify having surveys when they want them and not when the trade demand them.

B. Lucky