Council is driving licensed taxis out of town, says RMT
RMT TAXI drivers in Solihull are to demonstrate in the town centre on Monday (November 29) against the local council’s undermining of the licensed hackney-cab trade by giving unfair advantage to the private-hire sector.
The union says that imposing an unrealistic age-limit on purpose-built taxis and requiring two MOT tests a year on top of the existing stringent supplementary test, while allowing private-hire vehicles effectively to tout for trade on the streets will kill off the licensed taxi service.
RMT general secretary Bob Crow said today:
“RMT taxi drivers are in danger of being driven out of town by a council that is making life as difficult as possible for the licensed trade while effectively making touting legal for private-hire vehicles.
“The council says it has no money to conduct a survey on the town’s taxi needs, yet it is paying for marshals to facilitate private-hire vehicles picking up fares on what amount to ranks that ought to be for licensed taxis.
“Solihull’s 244 licensed taxi drivers have invested something like £7 million in providing purpose-built taxis and have to pass knowledge exams, but they are being squeezed to the point that several have already been declared bankrupt or had their taxis repossessed.
“That is shortsighted and all our members are asking is for some fairness and co-operation from Solihull’s licensing office, and an end to the unfair advantage being given to a private-hire sector that is regulated far less rigorously.”
In London we face the same problem, unfair advantage is shown to private hire drivers who constantly tout, while black cabs face more stringent regulations and on road checks from TfL's cab enforcement that profess to have no budget.
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In London we face the same problem, unfair advantage is shown to private hire drivers who constantly tout, while black cabs face more stringent regulations and on road checks from TfL's cab enforcement that profess to have no budget.
We all tend to live in a little bubble,but this really brings home,That the problems we face here in London,is in fact countrywide,If it was not for this site how many of us would know what was going to happen in Solihull,it wont be on the London news,Just as our protests dont make thiers,So think of the impact we would get if somehow we all got together,and make our next day of action Nationwide,Every city and town in England all jammed up at exactly the same time,It would surely make the main news which is seen worldwide,Love to see them describe that as a storm in a teacup
ReplyDeleteApathy is going to kill the taxi trade in London. Many good people are giving up their time, loosing money, trying to get the message across that TfL want to kill off the iconic Taxi trade. The majority of drivers couldn't give a fig and can only see as far as the next job. I Believe the war is already lost it's just a matter of time. But it would be nice to put up a bit of a fight. The young blood that has come into the trade in the past two years don't have the stomach to demonstrate and point to a lifeless trade org who they pay to look after their interests. Unfortunately people, your leaders have already got into bed with the enemy and have sold your souls for thirty pieces of silver, plus stand down and expenses
ReplyDeleteRemember they try it out in the little places, see what the reaction is then.
ReplyDeletePOW! its on us!
Good points Jack.
As Mr Barry (Driver Services!) Hooper says in TAXI 'What do the RMT know about the Taxi Trade?'
ReplyDeleteWell is seems they know it's in danger and are going to co-ordinate a national campaign.
Barry,
Your little mob just don't cut the mustard! The issue are just too big.