LTPH have announced that Licensed Taxi drivers details are now available to anyone who goes on-line to the TfL web page. They say the reason for this is to bring the Taxi trade in line with details already available on Private Hire drivers.
We decided to check out the new Database for ourselves and were quite literally horrified.
In regards to the Private Hire Database, most complainants would only be able to observe either the vehicle registration number, or the vehicle LTPH license number from the vehicles roundel. That's if you can get close enough to read the very small print and the vehicle doesn't have heavy tinted windows!
Inserting these numbers will tell you only if the Vehicle is registered as a PH vehicle and which mini cab firm it is currently registered to.
With the Taxi driver page, we found entering the drivers badge number, which will shortly be compulsory for every green badge driver to display on front and rear windscreens, will give you the drivers current status and also his full name.
Also if you know a drivers name, say someone who is high profile such as a trade leader or trade journalist, entering this name gives you that drivers badge number.
Now, with other Internet software freely available on-line, unless that driver is ex-directory you can find his/her address. But even if you are ex-directory there is other software available, plus checks for CCJ's and credit rating. Its amazing what's kept on-line!
This Database does not bring the trade in-line with PH as the PH drivers personal number is only available on demand from the driver and not to the casual observers.
Anderson Shelter Comment:
We strongly feel this Database is a breach of article 8 section 1 of the EU charter on the human right of privacy for individuals and their families. This Database compromises every Licensed Taxi drivers safety and that of his/her family.
The ability to acquire a drivers name from his/her badge number, must be removed from the TfL database, as there is no reason why casual observers should need this information.
We would advise every concerned Taxi driver, who is worried about their families safety, to contact their MP, MEP and if you live in London your Assembly Member. Use the box below to find your local and national representatives, don't wait for the UTG to do this as they are in favour of this Database.
I believe the RMT and the UCG are the only groups currently taking legal advice on this matter
Until such time that this safety issue is dealt with, I personally will be refusing to display the ID badges in my vehicle and invite other concerned drivers to join my passive disobedience.
What if a Lady cab driver has a run in with a clipboard bloke,Who know where they come from get her number then address and sorts here out or much worse ! ,It a disgrace anyone in the LCDC should leave immediately they have sold out the trade ,Who runs the club TFL ?
ReplyDeleteSmart phones allow access to all databases very easy to cross reference your number/name after a polite conversation and know roughly where you live. Time for those who agreed to this to resign from representing anyone within the taxi trade. Whoever agreed to this must go before they do any more damage.
ReplyDeleteWe have a right to privacy and any complaint should go through existing channels and we are not phv's and this is just another example of harmonisation.
The trade needs trained qualified negotiators not out of their depth individuals...
Great now i can get the details of all you taxis that have been ranking outside anthologist bar and causing a nuisance. Nice bit of information to give to the city of london police and tfl.
ReplyDeleteDisgusting decision by people who are out of the depth running a major government department
ReplyDeleteGreat News...
ReplyDeleteJust been informed that as from early next week, drivers names will be disabled from TfL website until further notice.
I would like to thank Helen Chapman and John Mason for their quick response to this important issue
My full name is on the insurance cover note in full view of anyone who cares to look and has been for donkeys years with out any problems,i have seen some with there full address also included.
ReplyDeleteMark
A bit too late now found the important information i wanted. Big thank you to TFL
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ReplyDeleteI've gone past Anthologist on Wednesday/Thursday/Friday & today. No CBJ or drivers looks like their license has definitely been revoked. Take a look for yourselves its great news. Jason
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ReplyDeleteAnon who are diamond cars?
ReplyDeleteMark, you can hang a coat over the insurance cover note.
ReplyDeleteBut you cant hang anything over the front and rear windscreens.
Anon 06:59
ReplyDeleteDiamond cars are a minicab operation that have satellite office licenses for Abacus, Revolution, Piccadilly academy (late On Anon), Tiger Tiger, the Apt bar and are expanding as we speak.
Their drivers illegally ply for hire and form illegal ranks. Their CBJs openly tout outside on the pavement and so far TfL/LTPH/STC/Met police/City of London Police have failed to revoke any of their licenses.
I used to work at a club in west London and the minicab company used to pay the club a grand a week to use the carpark as a rank , that was .15 years ago ! God knows how much diamond cars are paying these days....
ReplyDeleteJohn Kennedy said...
ReplyDeleteSmart phones allow access to all databases very easy to cross reference your number/name after a polite conversation and know roughly where you live. Time for those who agreed to this to resign from representing anyone within the taxi trade. Whoever agreed to this must go before they do any more damage.
We have a right to privacy and any complaint should go through existing channels and we are not phv's and this is just another example of harmonisation.
The trade needs trained qualified negotiators not out of their depth individuals...
17/12/2011 14:54
That rules you out then John !
Forget Diamond Cars mate they are quite big. But how about Ride 2 Ltd. Your not able to do anything, the people that took your taxi rank in Gresham Street. You should be ashamed talking about Diamond Cars. How about Jalouse in Hanvover Square, How about Fabric, How about the British Luxury Club. Where is your power? You guys just talk and talk and talk and thats it.
ReplyDeleteNot fair displaying Grant Davis, bob Oddy and Akan Mac's badge numbers
ReplyDeleteAlthough the amount of time they spend driving a cab, they probably won't realise it's their number
Ladies and Gentelmen dont take your eye off the ball.
ReplyDeleteIf we have a problem with drivers working out of their sector this is not a major issue in my book the way for T&PH to deal with it is not to put identifiers in cab's but to do their job and enforce the cab trade as they are required to do not to put drivers against drivers to enforce the law on the cheap and also if some yellow badge drivers are nicking a job or two is it realy a problem compared to the scabs that are allowed to ignore the Law with the blessing of TFL try to put it in perpesctive whilst we are fighting each other we are not watching the real game remember the old adage divide and Rule.
Green and yellow badge identifiers can only be good for the trade, after 1st march it will be self policeing as not only tfl compliance teams and police will be able to identifie law breaking surburban yb drivers as green badge drivers will too. so any cab without there identifier will be noticed instantley.if you are working within the rules ,then you can sleep easy.Be lucky.
ReplyDelete