Sold Out By The UTG?...By Thomas the Taxi.

Over the next couple of weeks you will see the United Trade Group, slapping backs and claiming victory for securing a 15 year age limit for the life span of a working Taxi in London. An age limit that should never have been offered in the first place.
You will not read what this group has agreed to, on your behalf, behind closed doors to achieve this hollow victory.


Top brass at TfL from Peter Hendy down to John Mason, have been extremely embarrassed by an apparent 54% escalation in serious sexual assaults including rapes, while detection and conviction rates have fallen by 50% to an all time low (3 convictions in 2009).
This is based on figures TfL themselves have supplied. Other sources have shown an even greater increase. See the badge issue 184 page 10. In the Daily Mail’s article, a high court judge gave the figures of 214 sexual assaults with 54 rapes, almost double the figures issued by TfL.
Even more alarming are figures supplied by the NHS Haven crisis centres, who say rapes alone are in treble figures as most are not reported to the police.


It is generally believed by many in our trade and those in the field of enforcement, that this is a direct consequence of the relaxation of minicab booking requirements and the easy set for Satellite Offices. We have seen TfL issue Satellite office licenses to no more than a flashing light place on a wall with a clipboard Johnny standing underneath.


Joe Royal spoke at an AGM of the LCDC saying that in his opinion, the current legislation at satellite offices was unenforceable. Nothing has ever come of this statement, which was completely ignored by the UTG (Surprise, Surprise).  Even a casual observer can ascertain that there is a serious problem with the standard of enforcement from the Met Police and PCO cab enforcement at certain places within central London.


Back in November, evidence was provided by a Unite Cab section member, published on the CTN blog and echoed on the LCDC blog, that showed satellite offices were always intended to be implemented by design, despite John Masons insistence that Satellite offices never existed.


So, what has the UTG done with the evidence given to Unites General Secretary (Cab Section) Peter J Rose by the Unite member?


Peter published the article on the Cab Trade News Blog.
But then Peter was mysteriously removed from his seat at the UTG negotiating table and replace by Jim Kelly.
Next the author of the LCDC blog suddenly disappeared from the media spotlight !!!  it is also alleged that all prominent members of the UTG have been warned to stay off  Twitter and internet forums.


The evidence published on the CTN web blog in a power point presentation, proves beyond a shadow of doubt that their has always been an agenda to set up  SATELLITE offices, with lines of waiting minicabs illegally plying for hire outside. The whole idea was designed by Geoffrey Riesel and Peter Hulme Cross, on behalf of the then Mayor, Ken Livingstone.


Ken made no secrete of the fact that he intended to let Private hire vehicles ply for hire between the hours of 10pm until 6am. 
We know from documents published on the TfL web site (Now sadly removed, although we have hard copies) that a Gold silver and bronze system was to be trialled for private hire where Gold service drivers would be allowed to use existing Taxi ranks along with licensed taxis.


Ken was then deposed by Boris, but his personal agenda has been secretly adhered to by faithful followers at TfL, behind the new Mayors back.


Unites Jim Kelly has thrown the weight of Unites cab section, behind the idea of putting the man that so nearly destroyed the Licensed Taxi Trade, back into office. 


Peter J Rose, has been accused of printing the untrue, something that LCDC Chairman grant Davis frowns heavily upon.


If that’s the case Mr Davis then why print in Novembers Badge that over a weekend 40 Yellow badges were caught either plying for hire or had jobs on board picked up out of sector?


We challenge the LCDC to show us the evidence as we have enquired and been informed by a Superintendent of the COL Police that this is indeed not the case and is a fabrication. We have also checked the Court records for upcoming cases (available on line) and there are none involving Licensed Taxi drivers (Suburban) working out of sector.
Was this exaggeration made as a favour, to give credibility to John Masons Green and Yellow ID stickers?


Now back to the main thread!


Why has the evidence, (which was reported on the CTN blog and the LCDC blog) been buried?


Why has this evidence failed to show up in trade media such as Taxi the Badge, or even the Cab Trade News?


Have the UTG agreed to play down this issue in exchange for an illegal 15 year age limit that nobody wanted in the first place?


Last word is given to Mr Alan Fleming, former Chair LCDC


Dear Editor.

Just read the article on age limits on your website.

I would like to inform you and your readers that it is unlawful to place an age limit on any motor vehicle.

Back in the late seventies the age limit on a cab in London was  ten years.  However, a cabbie took the PCO to court on the matter, and the case finnished up before the Law lords.
They made the following judgement.  So long as a motor vehicle complies with its construction and use regulations at the time of first registration and is safe for the road, an age limit cannot be placed on any motor
vehicle.

What TFL are proposing is unlawful.

Alan Fleming

Before you do anything else, re-read the evidence… CLICK HERE…