What happened to the open and meaningful relationship between TfL and the Joint ranks committee.
Where was our man on the board of TfL.
Taxi rank spaces are disappearing at an alarming rate , all over the capital and the ones that are left are under attack from the private hire fraternity, who see licensed taxi ranks as just another place to park unhindered by traffic wardens or CCTV cameras.
What function is served by having a representertive on the board of TfL. Oddy has never made a statement to the trade about any proposal made at service transport meeting. The first we know about any change that dramatically affects us is when it is implemented.
This recent affair at Bishops Bridge is a blatant disregard of the drivers needs at this terminus.
I now believe that industrial action is on the cards at this station with drivers refusing to service the rank. With thousands of passengers arriving and milling about the station, it would soon become unsafe and would have to close until the area cleared. Resulting in a restricted service run on the Heathrow Express.
There are many more suitable spots in the area where a bus stand could be implemented.
This just seems to be another swipe at the licensed Taxi Trade by TfL...
I know this video is an old one from our archives, but it shows the importance of the need for adequate ranking spaces for London's Taxis.
News Flash.
LTPH Notice 27/10
Important Changes to
Paddington Station Taxi Rank
Paddington Station Taxi Rank
With effect from Tuesday 28 September 2010 the taxi rank arrangements at
Paddington Rail Station have changed. Part of the rank, on Bishop’s Bridge
Road, will now be used as a bus stand between the hours of 11pm to 5.30am
daily. Buses will stand in the nearside lane alongside the kerb, allowing taxis to
continue to use the outside lane.
Paddington Rail Station have changed. Part of the rank, on Bishop’s Bridge
Road, will now be used as a bus stand between the hours of 11pm to 5.30am
daily. Buses will stand in the nearside lane alongside the kerb, allowing taxis to
continue to use the outside lane.
TfL apologise for the short notice of this change and to any taxi driver who may
be inconvenienced. However, urgent action was necessary to relocate the bus
stand from Westbourne Terrace due to a high number of complaints from local
residents regarding the noise disturbances in the area.
be inconvenienced. However, urgent action was necessary to relocate the bus
stand from Westbourne Terrace due to a high number of complaints from local
residents regarding the noise disturbances in the area.
Due to the time constraints, TfL were unable to formally consult with drivers
and the taxi ranks committee in advance of the change. However, we have tried to minimise the impact to taxi drivers by agreeing that taxis can continue to use the rank as normal between 5.30am and 11pm.
and the taxi ranks committee in advance of the change. However, we have tried to minimise the impact to taxi drivers by agreeing that taxis can continue to use the rank as normal between 5.30am and 11pm.
Whilst use of the rank drops significantly outside of these times taxi drivers will
still have use of approximately 65 allocated spaces at the station and we will
monitor the situation very closely and seek to address any issues arising.
still have use of approximately 65 allocated spaces at the station and we will
monitor the situation very closely and seek to address any issues arising.
John Mason
29 September 2010Director Taxi and Private Hire
29 September 2010Director Taxi and Private Hire
Jim
ReplyDeletewhere does this come from
Its on the CTN Blog, article by Peter Rose.
ReplyDeleteThere is a link to the blog on the right hand panel.
As ever Bob Oddy and Richard Massett (Ranks Chairman) are happy to sit back and take their members money and these things just drift past them.
ReplyDeleteThe LTDA members know what to (or what not to)expect from their leaders, but the rest of us who fund the 18K Bob Oddy gets from TfL must make some noise over this. For sure Bob Oddy wont.
Esay to solve, dont service Padders for a day or so!
Tfl Will soon come running.
Grant Davis: No more Fish Suppers with Mason!
Peter Rose: No more articles talking tough but doing little!
Get Involved in some ACTION to protect the trade!
Forget for once the marshalling, UTG PR or stand down pay, stand tall or resign!
PADDINGTON actually needs us,more than we need PADDINGTON,since the arrival of the H/ROW express its got to be the busiest stn,Thats why it was the first to introduce the shared taxi scheme,But obviously TFL sees it diferently,But now take a day like the tube strike the place is heaving,The only reason the station does not have to close is because we are on hand to clear the backlog,What if we was not,Just think about how much disruption it would cause,H/row ranks were like everywhere else that day,mainly because taxis could not get back there,So if on that day we just did not pick up there,they would have to close the station,That would double the amount of people at H/ROW,and how much of a problem would that cause,would that have to close???,and how long does it take to get to say marylebone,or Euston,if you even got that far without picking up a job,This would surely get some seriously high people bringing TFL,to answer some very big questions,The main one being why was taxis not picking up there,when they was at every other stn,Plus the good thing about this is,on these days the news teams are already in place,TFL actually believes its more powerful than it is,And needs the goverment to put it back in its place,For those of us that remember the old GLA,that was the exact reason they got disbanded,Even though Livingstone likes to take credit for it,
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9X2U5RAdyoQ
ReplyDeletelook what they did to Westbourne Terrace, the residents had no consultation it just appeared outside our windows one day!!!