Very shortly the very same thing is going to happen to the current best Taxi service in the world.
The Anderson Shelter has spent the last four year trying to wake up the trade representative bodies, but unfortunately we have failed in our endeavour to do this. The trade reps have now united to create a closed shop against new comers.
At the same time, we have tried to wake up drivers who have had their heads in the sand, hoping tomorrow would never come. This has been more successful, but its not happening quick enough.
To give you an idea of what TfL has in-store for us , just click on this link. It will take you to the IrisTaxi.org Blog where you can listen to the Pat Kenny Radio Show. It seems they are experiencing now, what we can expect in the not too distant future.
Click Here for the Pat Kenny Radio Show (Dublin) see if it rings any bells with you.
This is scarey stuff,because it sounds like London,except for the deregulation,well all you doubters who sit back and say it wont happen,get real,it can and will,unless you stop leaving it to everyone else
ReplyDeleteone unique thing about London is that a licence is not bought but earned through the KoL this means that there is no need for deregulation as there is no limit on the amount of licences issued
ReplyDelete@ Butterboy,When we were under the police,i would probaly have agreed with you,But now we are under TFL,whose sole aim is to make money,it does not matter a hoot to them where it comes from,I honestly believe it suits them to give the PHV trade an easy ride,then more people will hand over thier money for a license,On the theory,well he drives a minicab and he is doing alright,I really believe they see us as a thorn in thier side,They cant get rid of us,Because we are respected all over the world,But what they can do is wear us down until nobody signs up for the knowledge,I think that is proven by the amount of knowledge boys,you see on the road,And i dont believe for one second they are now driving minicabs whilst they learn,As it dont help,a prime example is from east to west,you have to call the strand,but would you drive it,no,
ReplyDeleteGood Point Butterboy BUT we are 'enjoying' deregulation by stealth as TfL do little or nothing to preserve our RIGHT of plying for hire.
ReplyDeleteSatellite Offices in Hotels and every Club & Bar in town mean that customers have to fight them off before using us.
Touting is now so commonplace that visitors to town now view this as the norm.
Rickshaws continue their free rein, UNITE & LTDA do not oppose voluntary registration!!
Our TfL 'Rep' has not spoken up when safety shields went into PHV's, Satellitre Offices, Touting etc. etc. etc. Thanks Bob!
CONCLUSION:
We probaably do not need to worry about 'deregulation' coming as its already here.
The UTG and those paid and appointed by statute to protect the trade are doing it anyhow!
Of course there is another way.
JOIN THE FIGHTBACK!
you only need deregulation when it is a closed shop as was the case in Dublin. It was virtually impossible to get a licence and the city did not have enough cabs.
ReplyDeleteObviously they made a big mistake in total deregulation when they should have just issued a number of extra badges.
In London we are unique as the only barrier to becoming a taxi driver is a candidates ability to do the KoL.
It would be an easy arguement from the trade to deregulation as to become a licenced taxi driver you need a qualifiaction
The same arguemnt to deregulation the legal profession, accountancy, medicine etc etc
I'm from Dublin. Read this and see what hardship we are going through. :(
ReplyDeletehttp://www.herald.ie/national-news/city-news/deregulation-has-led-to-too-many-taxis--and-some-dont-know-where-theyre-going-1512256.html
Well, I'll simplify the above. Make it easier for you. :)
ReplyDeleteDeregulation has led to too many taxis - and some don't know where they're going
Wednesday October 29 2008
There are too many taxi drivers in Dublin, many of whom do not know their way around, a Dublin city transport committee has heard.
Since the introduction of deregulation, there are now more taxis than the city can cope with, the transportation and traffic strategic policy committee heard.
Cllr Deirdre Heney (Fianna Fail) said the amount of taxis in operation in the city is worrying, especially since taxi plates continue to be issued, even though they've reached saturation point.
"There seems to be a difficulty with the amount of taxi plates now being issued. I don't know how we can curtail the number of plates," she said.
Cllr Heney added that the huge number of taxis is contributing to the traffic jams around the city.
"There are too many taxis. Even from an environmental point of view, all the taxi ranks are full.
"Taxi men are getting hassled by the gardai and quite rightly so because they're blocking the way because there's nowhere else to park, and they're wasting petrol."
Cllr Heney added that it's hard for taxi drivers to make ends meet now there are so many taxis in operation.
"It seems the guy who is driving a taxi as a full time job has his work cut out for him if he wants to make a decent wage, because anyone can buy a plate.
"There's a lot of angst out there," she added.
Cllr McCartan (Fine Gael) says: "Ireland now has 98 people per taxi, whereas in London it's 300 and in Copenhagen it's 280. There are too many taxis."
He said a problem exists "if you look at how easy it is to get a taxi plate with "one stop taxi shops".
He added that it's worrying that some taxi drivers don't know the whereabouts of their fare's destination, and he said it's not acceptable that drivers are relying on technology to guide them around the city.
Aggrieved
"There's a definite query about the sat nav systems. It's not satisfactory to me that someone should drive a taxi and not know their way around."
"Now if people are seeking a taxi driver job, it wouldn't be feasible," he said referring to the number of taxis on the streets.
Cllr Dermot Lacey (Labour) said: "Those who argued against deregulation were right.
"Some taxi drivers don't know the city," he agreed.
"A lot of taxi drivers feel very aggrieved when they are moved on by the guards."