HIGHWAY CODE:
Control of the vehicle (117-126)
Rule 123;
The Driver and the Environment.
You MUST NOT leave a parked vehicle unattended with the engine running or leave a vehicle engine running unnecessarily while that vehicle is stationary on a public road. Generally, if the vehicle is stationary and is likely to remain so for more than a couple of minutes, you should apply the parking brake and switch off the engine to reduce emissions and noise pollution. However it is permissible to leave the engine running if the vehicle is stationary in traffic or for diagnosing faults.
Wrapped up in the Mayor's cleaner air initiative, will be the prospect of a PCN for leaving the engine running while stationary.
"Likely to remain so for more than a couple of minutes"
Are warden going to stand behind us while we are being paid off, with a stop watch?
Will we receive both a parking ticket and an emissions violation ticket in the same envelope?
We are told that when we are using a rank we will be expected to switch off our engine to help with emissions and noise pollution. (How much noise does a Taxi make, when starting the engine?)
Every time you start an engine the exhaust emissions are equal to that of an engine left to idle for 20 minutes (the reason drivers like to keep engines running when presenting at SGS, to help pass the smoke test. Engines that have been left to cool down normally fail).
If say, you are on the rank at Paddington and have to shunt up and switch off just 8 times, it would be the equivalent of leaving your engine idling for 160 minutes.
Plus expect trouble with Batteries and starter motors. Every time you use the starter it takes on average 7 miles to replace the charge lost to your battery.
So, if you are on the Paddington Rank and have to move up and stop engine say a dozen times (with lights on and radio playing, you could find yourself needing a jump start.
However it is permissible to leave the engine running if the vehicle is stationary in traffic or for diagnosing faults.
Could we not be considered to be in traffic if waiting on a rank?
I wouldn't hold your breath on that one.
Plus no mention of buses at bus stops (One rule for them and another rule for us?). It can take a lot longer than two minutes for a bus to board passengers on some of the more popular routes. Will Mr Hendy be ordering his beloved buses to switch off?
This blog has in the past been accused of not researching its posts!
Well, now its our turn to accuse TfL and the Mayor of not researching the issue thoroughly.
Human Rights Act;
My Taxi is my place of work. I have been told that under said act, I have the right to expect my place of work to be smoke free. I surely have the right to expect my place of work to be kept at a constant temperature, impossible if you have to keep turning the engine off.
Another piece of openness and transparency from LTPH (as promised by John Mason on appointment.
ReplyDeleteOf course all this informed the 'negotiations' by the UTG on ALL our behalf (whether we liked it or not!)at the now infamous 15 year age limit meeting.
Of course all will be revealed when the minutes come out and how these tigers fought 'tooth and nail' for the working cab driver. can't wait!
STaNgate, age limit, three inspection a year, eco driving courses, 'idling police', Euro V for us, Euro 4 for PHV etc. etc.
With the UTG 'representing' us and LTPH 'safeguarding' our interests, our future is certain.
DOOMED!
I agree with Travis B. I read a comment left by a reader complaining that drivers are holding the leaders of the UTG accountable for this fiasco. He accuses this blog as being no more than a slag off. He never offered any alternative argument, much the same as the UTG.
ReplyDeleteWhy are the UTG spewing out propaganda and not defending their position as the cab trades officially recognised negotiators?
Could the truth be that they feel they are not answerable to the vast majority of the trade that don't accept their representation. Or, maybe it's sheer arrogance?
The last copy of Taxi stinks of desperation, to the point they are now boasting 9000 members. However, Simco a member of 25+ years was recently ignored when he took up Oddy's offer, "that ANY member could come to Taxi House and view the membership data base"
I predict if enough drivers back Alan Fleming Ex-Chairman of the LCDC with his proposal to challenge TfL in court and a NEW independent newspaper appears the LCDC will be the first to fold!
I am urging all cab drivers in backing Alan Fleming, he is the ONLY man who will get this job done!
With the smoke issue the Nazi Green party and the people that follow them "Greenshirts" will i fear one day gain in Power London, they are unelected and bully people in to their way of thinking obey or be wiped out is the motto for us ,They have a very nasty agenda hidden in the cloak of green-nes and fresh air beware of the greenies people of Britain for the are not what they seem, Eco fascism is on the rise in Europe "The unity of blood and soil must be restored," using no machines !,,,For all of these reasons, the slogan advanced by many contemporary Greens, "We are neither right nor left but up front," is historically naive and politically fatal ,All Hail the green Party of be wiped out . @TAXICAB14
ReplyDeleteWith all that's been said and proved, now I am hearing Peter Rose is desperately trying to get a full endorsement from the Unite Cab Section to accept Ken Livingstone into a branch meeting, regardless that it's Livingstone's legacy that is currently destroying the cab trade.
ReplyDeleteLooks like Unite's web site is posting directly from John Masons desk top. All I can say is know the enemy on the inside; as well as thine enemy on the outside!
I thought Peter Rose declared himself a Tory, what next Nick Clegg calling himself a Liberal?
ReplyDeletePete, tell us how you consulted your membership on the 15 year age limit, will you be copying them into the minutes of the grand pow wow at Palestra?
Who said Democracy was easy, Best ignored then UTG!!!!!
The question is:
ReplyDeleteShouldn’t TfL be monitored for idling and not complying with a business code of ethics?
Transparency is a word John Mason used in his first press release to the trade. Unfortunately, these were empty words, as all of the meetings with TfL selected representatives are in private and no minutes are taken.
The problem being is the vast majority of cab drivers will not join a trade organisation because it is a well known fact that they grossly under-represent their members and are devoid of any policy or direction.
The Mayors Cleaner Air Strategy clearly underlines how inept the UTG are collectively, and is the reason why TfL should be held accountable in court.
Then the trade would be heard with a clearer voice from all cab drivers, especially those with no confidence in the forced representation of the UTG.
Put these articles and comments in a newspaper, and watch the balance of power start to change overnight.
ReplyDeleteThe UTG (United Tailors Guild) the Stitch Up Merchants, will be stitched up by their own incompetence and disgraceful leadership skills.
The wise man does at once what the fool does finally. (Baltasar Gracian)
Agreed.
ReplyDeleteThe only way to hold TfL & the Mayor to account is to drag them before the beak.
It is plainly clear that the UTG or to be more correct the current 'Leadership' of those orgs are unable or unwilling to do their duty and fight for their members interests as opposed to their own.
It ain't cheap to engage m'learned friends
(Tfl know this as they are spending OUR money so they care not and it acts as a barrier to challenge).
Alan F. along with the non UTG trade orgs. should join together on this issue and fight this muddled headed decsion that affects US ALL and DOES NOTHING to clean London's Air.
Remember we work in this smog not in the air conditioned splendour of City Hall, Windsor House or Palestra.
In response to comment by: Anonymous, Jan 24, 2011 08:55 AM
ReplyDeletePlease wake up, smell the petrol and read this:
Mythbuster: Idling
1. 'The engine needs to stay on to keep the battery warm'
Improved battery design has largely eliminated this threat. Motorists rarely need to carry jump leads with them these days.
2. 'Turning the engine on and off wears it out'
Electronic ignitions in modern cars have eliminated this problem.
3. 'Catalytic converters need to be hot to work properly'
Yes, but an idling engine does not keep a catalytic converter warm. They retain their heat for about 25 minutes after an engine is switched off anyway.
4. 'Idling keeps an engine in better condition'
Wrong. Idling means incomplete combustion, leading to a build up of resides in an engine, increasing wear and tear.
5. 'Starting an engine uses more petrol than idling'
In fact, idling for more than 10 seconds uses more petrol that starting the motor.
Discuss ...
Source: http://bit.ly/hq4rF5 (an ES website address shortened)
Absolute Bollox mate.
DeleteThe FX 4 new modle still doesn't have and unto date ignition and starter motors on taxis are notoriously bad.
With derv engines soot builds up when exhausts cool and are expelled on restarting. These particles are carcinogenic.
The informations you have is for a modern vehicle. Unfortunately the Taxi cab is not a modern vehicle.