Taxi industry on its knees, claims cabbie

The taxi industry is being strangled by spiralling costs, fewer fares and a continuing influx of new drivers, it has been claimed.


A local cabbie, who wishes to remain anonymous says drivers are now “completely demoralised” and are forced to work in excess of 70 hours each week to make below minimum wage.

“There’s less money about so fewer fares but at the same time fuel, insurance and radio rental costs are still rising,” the driver told the ‘Journal.’

The driver says the attitude of some firms  does not help drivers.

“In recent years a number of  smaller firms have been bought over by bigger taxi companies.

“Companies are aware of the difficulties drivers are facing and still they take drivers on. It’s simple, more drivers means more rent.”

The driver says taxi companies hiking up radio rent has become commonplace.

“An increase of £5 a week on radio rent for a firm with 200 drivers means the company makes £52,000 extra a year. There’s a feeling among some drivers that to do that is nothing short of corporate greed, albeit on a smaller scale.

“It’s completely demoralising” Some fleet owners are charging £200 upwards to rent a taxi that is only fit for the scrap heap. It is about time that this scandal was investigated.

The cabbie says starting at 5am and finishing around 11pm is not uncommon.

“You are forced into working hours that are illegal. It’s not good for your family life, nor for your health.

Taxi drivers don’t have the option of going in and speaking to the boss - there would be a pretty short answer - ‘away you go, there’s plenty more people looking for work’.”
The North West Taxi  Association says there are a number of issues affecting the industry. “It seems we have been lost to bureaucracy and plate barons, we should pay no more and sign on the dole "

Meanwhile Taxis in Stockport continue to annoy passengers

The latest SUD survey is well underway with cctv links being used at the train station, Chestergate, Heaton Moor and Cheadle. Despite this, some drivers have been illegally refusing passengers for short journeys. It has been reported that the manager of a large store was refused and the licensing officer is purported to be "furious"

Well if that is the case, he should enforce the law and arrange "mystery shopper" trips with trading standards officers. It is an absolute offence for a hackney carriage driver to refuse a fare within the controlled district, unless the passenger is unfit through drink, drugs or similar.

The few remaining passengers using cabs in the town are being told to: (a) walk, it's not far or: (b) It's a long trip I am going to nail your hat so firmly to your head you will never dare come back again.

All this at a time of a survey and dwindling passenger numbers, the people responsible must have been on a hell of a business course.
Merry Christmas

Black cabs cause chaos in London

Parts of central London were gridlocked this afternoon as thousands of black cabs showed up in support of a protest organised by the taxi union, United Cabbies Group.
At the centre of the protest was Trafalgar Square where from 4pm around 800 taxis descended upon the area in support of the demonstration against minicab touting which the UCG argues puts women at risk.
General Secretary of the RMT Union Bob Crow attended the demonstration in a display of solidarity with the taxi union.
Crow said: “The licensed taxi trade in London is under an unprecedented attack and that’s why RMT members in the industry are working for maximum unity to defend jobs, safety and the quality of service to the public.”
Jonathan Myers, cab driver and UCG spokesperson, said he believed that nearly 4,000 black cabs had attended the protest as parts of central London – including Trafalgar Square, Pall Mall, the Aldwych, Fleet Street, Shaftesbury Avenue and Victoria Street – had all been at one stage or another gridlocked and closed as a result of the protest.
The UCG believes that Transport for London and the taxi licencing body, London Taxi and Private Hire (formerly the Public Carriage Office), aren’t enforcing the law regarding licenced and unlicensed minicabs.

Taxi driver seriously injured after attack by thugs in Stretford

A taxi driver suffered serious facial injuries when he was stamped on the head by a gang of thugs.

The 35-year-old victim was walking back to his cab when he was suddenly attacked.

A group of up to five men battered him the the ground before launching a sickening assault, which included being stamped on the head and kicked in the face.

The unprovoked attack happened on Moss Park Road in Stretford at around 8.30pm on Friday 18 November.

The victim was taken to hospital with a number of broken bones in his face.

Det Con Emma Bentley said: "This was an unprovoked and savage attack on a man who was coming to the end of his shift and he has been left with serious head and facial injuries.

“The victim is unsure why he was subjected to such a horrific assault and I would urge anyone who may have seen the incident take place or may have heard someone boast about being part of an attack to contact police as soon as possible."

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0161 856 7652 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Council to meet with taxi drivers over deregulation row

KEY figures in the row over taxi deregulation in Richmondshire say they are prepared to meet face to face in an attempt to resolve on-going issues over the matter.

The decision by Richmondshire District Council’s licensing committee to remove the cap on the number of licensing plates it issues sparked protests from taxi drivers last month, who say the move will destroy their livelihoods.

Representatives for the drivers have threatened legal action over the decision, which they say has been made without proper consultation, and met with Richmond MP William Hague last week to try and win his support for their cause.

The leader of Richmondshire District Council Councillor John Blackie indicated that he and members of the council’s licensing department are prepared to meet with drivers’ representatives in an attempt to resolve some of the key issues surrounding deregulation, although he confirmed that the decision will not be overturned.

George Pearson, chairman of the Richmondshire Independent Drivers Association (Rida), said he was pleased to hear of Coun Blackie’s offer and looked forward to the meeting.

The move comes as the licensing committee prepares to look at whether public consultation is necessary to create new taxi ranks in Hawes and Leyburn as the council tries to attract hackney cabs to more remote parts of the district.

Coun Blackie said: “The council’s position has always been that there has been proper, full consultation on the matter of deregulation. The decision has been made and we will not go back on it.

“However, there are clearly issues with the taxi trade accepting that that decision has been made. The issue of deregulation is not up for a re-decision but quite clearly there are some issues that follow from deregulation that we must try to solve.”

Mr Pearson said: “It’s brilliant news to hear that the council are prepared to talk to us. We shall wait and see what comes of it and what is going to happen. It’s very interesting I must say, but I’m looking forward to it.”

The licensing committee will hold a special meeting on Tuesday, at Frenchgate, in Richmond.