While you were away in Zurich and the snow fell, your transport infrastructure came crashing down (again). Local councils (apart from Ealing) failed miserably in gritting roads on the outskirts, although places like Mayfair and Belgravia had so much grit, in some places, it resembled Dubai.
Bus, rail and underground services were badly affected by these conditions with many staff failing to show up for work.
Unlike the Private hire trade who were generally charging double and in some cases triple their usual fares.
Tuesday through to Friday, in scenes more akin to the vistas on Christmas cards and in freezing conditions, the Licensed Taxi trade carried on in the professional manner the public have come to expect from this iconic industry.
So when the snow finally melted and temperatures returned to a more bearable level, what did the trade manage to achieve for supplying this first class service, NOTHING...Not a mention on radio, nothing in the press and absolutely no form of recognition or respect from the Mayors office, TfL or the Police.
Instead on Saturday night, the usual major assault on the economy of the Taxi Trade resumed, with lines of illegally ranked private hire vehicles outside every club, bar, restaurant in Central London.
Touts were parked everywhere, on Licensed Taxi ranks, on Red Routes, on double Yellow lines and even zig zags offered no prohibition to their illegal activities.
So in the void left by yourself and your office, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the Taxi drivers who, heroically put in the extra effort (AT NO EXTRA COST TO THE PUBLIC) and added to the reputation of the "Best Taxi Service in the World" by carrying on regardless.
Yours sincerely
James Thomas
AKA Thomas the Taxi.
Tuesday through to Friday, in scenes more akin to the vistas on Christmas cards and in freezing conditions, the Licensed Taxi trade carried on in the professional manner the public have come to expect from this iconic industry.
So when the snow finally melted and temperatures returned to a more bearable level, what did the trade manage to achieve for supplying this first class service, NOTHING...Not a mention on radio, nothing in the press and absolutely no form of recognition or respect from the Mayors office, TfL or the Police.
Instead on Saturday night, the usual major assault on the economy of the Taxi Trade resumed, with lines of illegally ranked private hire vehicles outside every club, bar, restaurant in Central London.
Touts were parked everywhere, on Licensed Taxi ranks, on Red Routes, on double Yellow lines and even zig zags offered no prohibition to their illegal activities.
So in the void left by yourself and your office, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the Taxi drivers who, heroically put in the extra effort (AT NO EXTRA COST TO THE PUBLIC) and added to the reputation of the "Best Taxi Service in the World" by carrying on regardless.
Yours sincerely
James Thomas
AKA Thomas the Taxi.
During the recent bad weather it was stated MINICABS in croydon were charging double fare.Now i know they set thier own prices,but this is just extortion.can you imagine how you would have been treated if you had tried to charge double the meter,because of bad weather.You would have been up the PCO,faster than you could imagine,and told to pay back the money,and probaly given an unpaid holiday. My point here is how can TFL,justify this being allowed,and then try to integrate us,This proves how seperate we are.We stick to the rules they dont.Maybe its time TFL,set a maximum charge per mile minicabs can charge. GARYS
ReplyDeleteHey TtT, this is great information put on the Anderson Shelter the articles and comments are spot on,wright on the money.
ReplyDeleteYou have to start a paper, or news sheet to begin with, get this information out there to a wider audience it's a sure fire hit, all the way.
I'm prepared to give you £100 to help start this up, ask Lee for details.
Regards,
B. Wood.
No doubt we will get ZERO credit, Just like Rmembrance Sunday.
ReplyDeleteDoes not suit the agenda at TfL.
When will Bob Oddy spek up for us?
(The Taxi trade rep. appointed by the mayor not the trade)
It has been a tough week but we helped to get many people to their destinations.
ReplyDeleteLast night my local petrol Station run out of diesel.
On top of it I try to contact my association with numerous outstanding problems and never get any answer.
The biggest association does not represents members interests.
It seems all my email are binned at LTDA HQ.
(My email is not getting through theirs spam filters. Tried to send via different email and also individually. Been well banned. Perhaps someone could forward it for me?)
DEAR RICHARD/BOB/JOHN
I SEE YOU ARE NOT INTERESTED IN YOUR MEMBERS IF THEY ASK QUESTIONS.
You told me no ranks have been lost. In fact dozens of ranks has been lost. For the latest check Anderson's Shelter http://theandersonshelter.blogspot.com/. In fact read it all as the website is well ahead in highlighting the immediate problems the Taxi Trade faces.
Also take an example from the drivers group UCG, who work tirelessly for our Trade and demand authorities to 'ENFORCE THE LAW'. LTDA still has the clout through sheer number of members. There is very little willingness that is seen in the management. In fact by your own suggestion I am contemplating if there is any future in Taxi Trade with representatives that are not heard and only seen using members money to distribute Taxi paper while drinking tea at Waterloo Station.
LTDA has been failing the Taxi Trade, their Members and it's own Association. I am contemplating my own future in the Association like this.
Member
Hi Mr Woods.
ReplyDeleteI really do appreciate your offer, but I just don't have the time to go in that direction.
It is a considerable task to set up a new trade publication, plus one of the attributes of this site is that it is a hub to many other sites that contain much sort after and useful information.
Articles on this site often come with video which add that extra little punch needed to bring the point home.
I have in the past put out new sheets, but they were not received well.
I have been approached by trade bodies who want to advertise on the blog but I have stayed away from this path, because the Anderson Shelter would then be expected to show such accounts in a good light, not always possible.
Hope you understand
TtT.
in 1995,there were no less than 2000 ranks in the Metropolitian Police Area. this has now diminished to just 500. if there's a hidden agenda,it's to sell rank space to the highest bidder namely Addision Lee. blackraven
ReplyDeleteThis has been a very significant blog indeed. I've acquired a lot of helpful information from your article. Thank you for sharing such relevant topic with us.
ReplyDelete