If the licensing authorities start to take a closer look at the actions of many dubious satellite minicab offices, the shop doorway and pavement set ups could soon disappear. Most satellite owners though will cling on with all their clout, spreading back handers to managers and council officials alike, but the clock has started ticking.
This final chapter should have been accelerated, by the publication of the number of minicab related rapes and serious sexual assaults last month by TfL and the news spread deep into the main media circles.
The tout shop and clipboard Johnny owners are now worried that the gravy train has reached its final destination. In a bid to detract from hundreds of complaints received by some of London's top restaurants/late night venues, about the behavioral practices of these parasites that infest the pavement outside, they have concocted a story that, it is in fact Taxi drivers that are composing these complaints out of spite. See for yourself, click here to read the blog that reported this lie last month.
For far too long the authorities have turned a blind eye, to a practice that has been used to clear the streets of potential trouble makers late at night. Victims of assaults and rapes, seen as just collateral damage.
The Licensed Taxi trade is now now preparing to unite for a series of demonstrations to bring public awareness to this escalating problem. It was hoped that TfL would take notice of the feeling behind this planned action but alas, John Mason, the head of T&PH stated in a letter to the organisers that this action is wholly unnecessary, unwarranted and misjudged.
Please read the full letter by clicking on the link below... but please make sure you read the reply from Steve (Semtex), A proud London Green Badge Taxi Driver with an unblemished 22 year old history, terrified of what is happening to his trade and his London.
It is one of the best replies I have ever read.
I can honestly say that I have never been so moved by one letter. I hope every board member and every employee of TfL gets a copy of this reply.
I thought John Mason denied the existence of 'Satellite Offices' insisting that they are operating centres and viewed as all the same at Palestra.
ReplyDeleteAnyhow shows once again that direct action gets them rattled big time.
Prediction:
The UTG will be called up to Plaestra and given veiled threats by JM and no doubt something along the lines of:
'I have been fighting your corner on the age limit BUT'
The UTG will them be able to blame everyone else when Tfl decide to stitch us up.
Remember UTG you offered them a limit in the first place!!!!
Grant Davis has to come off the fence!
(the last chance saloon for him, LCDC Members?)
'Can I Mr Oddy Please, Plaese.'
Peter Rose has to turn his words in CTN into action.
The LTDA will no doubt supply marshals at all mainline stations!
The RMT will no doubt pass a motion to support it.
I can think of no better way of getting a good turnout at the Demo. than publishing John Mason's e mail!
DO NOT THREATEN US.
DO YOUR JOB.
ENFORCE THE LAW!!!!!
such a great reply from Steve, lets hope Mason takes notice.
ReplyDeleteMason take notice? You are kidding. He and the whole setup at Plaestra know the score. They have an Agenda and it isn't good for the Taxi Trade.
ReplyDeleteAll we want them to do is to just to be a licensing office and enforce the rules.