Letter to the Mayor Regarding Taxi Age Limit... by Alan Fleming.

THESE ARE THE MEN WHO SIGNED THE AGE LIMIT

  DEATH WARRANT

Last Supper for the Fairway.

Left to Right Steve Mcnamara, LTDA, Ivan Kovler LMCPA, Rob Laidler LTI, Geoffrey Riesel RTL, Malcolm Paice Com Cab, Mike Hedges UNITE, Brian Rice DaC, Eddie Crossley LMCPA, Peter Da Costa KPM. Spot the Taxi Driver...


The Mayor of London
Mr.  Boris  Johnson
City  Hall 
The Queens Walk
SE 1  2 AA


7 / 11/ 2011


Dear Boris.
Re your taxi age limit policy starting on Jan 2012
There are many reasons why I think you should reconsider this decision which are set out below and I have highlighted the points that you should be made aware of.
There is no need for an age limit as there is a retrofit system that brings a taxi up to the Euro 4 emissions standard, and therefore reduces emissions pollution.
The system is made by HJS Emissions Technology a German company. This system has been widely used by car manufacturers all over Europe since 2004, and has been approved by the German vehicle inspectorate. This system was approved by the UK  Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA) on 28th Jan 2011, and accepted by TFL. TFL have approved it for buses coaches and vehicles of taxation class N1 N2 N3, the taxation class for London taxis being N3.  However, TFL will not approve the system for London taxis, the question is why not?  


This system reduces NOX from  89 grams per 100 miles to 16 grams per 100 miles which is far better than the current euro 4  taxis. The system will bring those older cabs up to the Euro 4 emissions standard. . So as TFL have approved the system to be fitted to the old London buses to bring them up to the Euro 4 emissions standard, they should approve it for the old London taxis. The bus engine is a 9 litre engine which is three times bigger than the 2.7 litre taxi engine, so if buses can be retrofitted with this system, so once again why not taxis.? 


Further TFL have announced that  from Jan 1st 2012 all commercial diesel vehicles entering London That weigh between 1.25 tons and 3.5 tons must be a minimum of Euro 3 emissions standards, so why are London taxis not afforded the same right, as taxis come within this weight as they are 2.25 tons, and further all London taxis are minimum of Euro 3
Many  of the old  London  buses   range between  20/40 years the oldest London taxi is 23.  John  Mason  Director  of  Taxi & Private Hire states that the policy is not only linked to air quality but to the quality of the taxi fleet itself. The reason being that a significant proportion of the taxi fleet is quite old.  And the replacement of the older taxis will improve the safety for drivers and passengers that the more modern vehicle provides. If this is correct then  the more modern buses must offer better safety facilities than the older buses, therefore the old London buses should  be scrapped also. This is double standards and discriminatory. 


It has been announced by TFL  that all new cabs entering the fleet from Jan 2012 must be Euro 5. So what will happen to those Euro 4 cabs that  (M&O) Mann & Overton the main dealer currently have in stock? For according to TFL’s  decision those vehicles cannot enter London‘s taxi fleet in 2012.  However, M&O are converting these engines to bring them up to Euro 5. They are doing this by changing  the (EGR ) valve, exhaust gas re-circulation. Also a filter trap is being installed into the exhaust and a new electronic control unit. Therefore if this is allowed by TFL they should allow this for the older Euro 3 taxis, again double standards are being applied.


In  2007  the previous mayor Ken Livingston ordered that all taxis must meet the Euro 3 emissions standard. 10.000 taxis had to be retrofitted at a cost of  £2000 each. Now 4 years later you as  mayor have decided that those taxis will not be  re- licensed when they are 15 years old. This is an illogical decision and also unfair to the owners of these vehicles. They spent thousands converting those cabs and are know being told they will not be re-licensed. Thousands of drivers are going to be put out of work and many fleet owners will close down. This at a time when it has been announced that London  has the worst unemployment figures in the UK. London’s taxi trade has played its part in cleaning up London’s air quality and should not be further penalised in this way. The age of the cab is irrelevant as it is the engine that produces the emissions. Your policy states that no taxi over 15 years will be licensed except by special exemption, but does not state what those exemptions are. Our solicitors contacted them and asked what those exemptions where. TFL then consulted with the trade and stated that  taxis would be able to continue in service for a further 5 years, if they converted to LPG, CNG, or Bio-methane. These exemptions are to rigid and is not much of an alternative. The reason being that LPG is unreliable, CNG cannot be purchased in the UK let alone London, and further Bio-methane is also not readily available 


However, in the policy it makes no mention  of extending the life of the cab. Therefore if the cab is converted to any one of these exemptions its life should be unlimited. Further your policy is in conflict with the Govt, as Govt policy states in its best practise guidance that, an age limit should not be placed on London taxis, and that each taxi should be licensed on its own individual merits.
TFL claim that  drivers can by a new cab which is not feasible as most of these older cabs are owned or rented by the older drivers, who work part time to supplement their pensions. There are currently 6000 drivers between the age of 65 to 75, and they would not want to take on a debt of £36k at that age. TFL will say they could buy a newer cab this is an irrational statement.  As the driver would be buying a cab which is of the same emissions standard as the one they are being forced to scrap. Renting a cab would not be an option as garages will only rent cabs on a weekly basis. Therefore those drivers are being deprived of their right to work which is a breach of their Human Rights. Further. this discriminates against the older driver and is age discrimination. 


TFL have also claimed that those cabs that are being taken out of service will be replaced. However, I do not believe this will happen for the following reason. Before the age limits where announced a 7 or 8  year old cab could have been sold for approximately  8K  now they would not raise half that amount.  So drivers contemplating buying a new cab will have less money for a deposit, therefore their repayments will be much higher. This I think will put them of from buying a new cab. Further it was announced this year that all vehicles registered from 2008 must meet a new smoke test. It has been reduced from 2.5 to 1.5, but this does not apply to vehicles registered before that date. Therefore we have to assume that it is recognised that the older vehicles are cleaner than the newer ones.


By  the end of 2012 over 3500 cabs will be of the road due to this policy, this will cause problems for public transport.
When the games start there will be 2400 cabs of the road and as each cab carries 30 passengers a day, this will mean over 70.000 people each day having to turn to public transport. Considering the number of visitors who will be here for the games  public transport will not be able to cope. Further  disabled people especially  wheelchair users will be the most affected, as taxis are the only vehicles adapted to carry wheelchairs. The Paralympics will also be affected for those who wish to see the events and they will find it extremely difficult to make journeys to the games. I therefore think that the start date of your decision should be put on hold until after the games.


Your decision  will put thousands of drivers out of work. And the fleet owners will have to lay of staff as there will be less cabs to maintain.
The rent on those older cabs was invested in new cabs as this income will no longer be available new cabs will not be viable. The mayor should consider this decision and postpone the start date for one year, to allow fleet owners and drivers to make new arrangements.


Finally you claim that taxis are responsible for 30% of emissions pollution,
I believe this is an inaccurate figure. And I would like to know what tests have been carried out to support this claim.
The London Atmospheric Emissions  Inventory commissioned by the London Assembly in 2004 states that road transport would be responsible for 31% of total NOx  emissions in 2010,  so it is illogical to claim that taxis are responsible for 30% of that figure.
Cars and rigid HGV’s  are the 1st and 2nd largest contributors to the total NOx from road transport. Regarding PM10, particulate matter cars and HGVs are again the 1st and 2nd largest contributors in 2010, cars being responsible for 60%  and HGVs 19%. So how do you and your advisers come to the conclusion that taxis are responsible for 38% of PM10 emissions as the figures do not add up.
You once said in a letter to me that you would welcome my advice on the cab trade, I am therefore requesting that we meet to discuss this matter.
Yours faithfully


Alan Fleming
Director
Taxi Drivers &Owners Legal Protection.


Editorial Comment:
As of yet the Mayor has not replied...

Bob Oddy, Questioned On More Taxi Lies...by Thomas the Taxi.

Bob, your agents made the above film!

What do you intend to do with it?

Director of LTPH John Mason has been to Abacus and been Touted!


Deputy director of LTPH, Helen Chapman has been to Abacus and been touted!


On the front page of Taxi Magazine, it was appears to state that Abacus has had their satellite office license revoked.


But it seems LTPH have failed to revoke Diamond cars license at Abacus, because they are still there every night, forming an illegal rank!
The Clipboard man is still on the pavement touting.


Would this then mean that the statement on the front page of Taxi Magazine is untrue?


John Mason recently addressed a meeting of suburban drivers. Worried that TfL were doing nothing about illegal ranking they spoke about suing TFL for negligence. He said; 
"Do what you like, our pockets are bigger than yours". 
It seems TfL may have deep pockets, but they have very short arms!


The city police have failed to revoke their license and in fact, have granted Diamond cars and similar companies new ones!


Bob, my questions are;
According to published accounts, we know the LTDA has over £4,000,000 in the bank. What are you saving up for?

Why have the LTDA spent the last two years fighting other trade bodies instead of the competition?


Why have you not bought up the issues of illegal plying for hire at surface transport meetings?


What's the point of you being on the board of TfL? (other than £24,500 a year in your pocket)


I'm sure your members, especially the ones still paying you subscriptions, would be interested in the answers to these questions.

LTDA Members Disgusted With Oddys Dirty Tricks...By Jason Byrne

When I saw the latest issue of taxi, I felt sick to my stomach.

How could a once great association, built on half a century of the sweat, hard work and commitment from ordinary, working London taxi drivers, sink to such depths of depravity.

General Secretary of the LTDA, Bob Oddy (who, incidentally hasn't driven a Taxi for over 25 years) was asked for help in sorting out a few of the troubles this trade faces but refused point blank. He went as far as to tell the young driver who had gone to the trouble to seek an appointment, to F**K off and get out of his office. You can hear the whole interview nick named Oddy Gate here.

He made it perfectly clear, that he wasn't looking to rock the boat, after being given an unelected seat on the board of TfL.

Oddy has made a habit of using the associations in house publication for his own personal agendas and for spreading malicious lies. He almost destroyed the London taxi branch of the RMT (now fully recovered), regularly printing page after page of lies in "Taxi" Paper and persuading his friends on the UTG to do the same. But this time he has sunk to an all time low.

The young drivers scheme (which has full support of LTPH) has now been taken on board by the UCG and has recently gone into operation with help from new hotel management. With the implementation of the bribery act, hotels are keen to clean up their act as penalties are massive.

After months of negotiation, which involved staff members being sacked, the Cumberland Hotel management have done their best to eradicate the "Faces" and regular scabs. This problem is something that can not be completed dealt with overnight and is still ongoing, as a few licensed touts prove to be tenacious. Hotel management is currently monitoring the situation on CCTV and staff found demanding bribes are immediately sacked.

Early signs are promising and many more airports are going in honest taxis. Plus customers are no longer being charged a fortune by bent porters. There has been much interest from other hotels, also keen to clean up their door staff in light of the new legislation.



Instead of praising the efforts of fellow taxi drivers, freely volunteering their services, many of whom are actually LTDA members, Oddy has published a discussing slur and attack on the Cumberland Hotel management. He has republished photographs from an old issue taken years ago when the LTDA was a proud and proper association (before he sold the trade out for a seat on the board of TfL).

Members are leaving the LTDA in droves because of the actions of this man and they now give free associate membership to try and shore up the numbers. LTDA diaries are spotted in the windows of minicabs daily.

(Could be embarrassing if they turn up for their Marks and Sparks vouchers)

I used to be a proud member of the LTDA, but now every time I hear the name it makes me feel quite sick. I have spoken to many drivers on the ranks this week who will be cancelling their direct debits.

How can honest, hard-working taxi drivers pay subscription to this man is beyond me.

Jason Byrne.

PS. Have also noticed how many Taxi-mags have remained in the drop bins lately, as drivers refuse to read. Wonder what your advertisers feel about that Bob.



This is an email sent to LTPH by Cumberland Hotel Management.

To whom it may concern

I request the following taxi be banned from using our rank with
immediate effect. LT57 WXP.

This driver has been monitored as suspicious by my in house security
team for a number of weeks. He works early hours of the morning
predominantly, sitting off the rank on our front door or on the rank
both with his light off. He waits outside his taxi just outside our
front door and solicits airport fares only by questioning guests as they
depart the Hotel. He declines local fares awaiting the airport
opportunities.

This is both illegal and detrimental to my business. Having received a
number of guest complaints and complaints from other taxi drivers I
request this car be removed immediately.

Kind regards
James Berry | Hotel Manager | The Cumberland | Guoman Hotels

Editorial Comment from Semtex 8829:

In all my time in this trade, I don't think I have ever seen or heard of a major hotel manager, who is so obviously bending over backwards to play the game with us.

Well done James Berry, you have restored my faith in yours and our profession.

What this driver is doing is tantamount to theft from his colleagues, that's not being dramatic, but truthful. It's blatantly robbing his own mates and he is no better than a minicab driver.

James, thank you mate, you have taken an initial slating, gone on the LTDF forum and said you wanted to work with us and instead of talking bollox, have done what you said you would do!

Well done Sir, you are a credit to your professional position and a massive assistance to The London Cab trade.

Best regards mate and best of luck.

8829

HASSAN: MINICAB DRIVER ADMITS COLD CASE RAPE

Central Criminal Court Today,
28 November 2011:
A pensioner who raped a drunken passenger 16 years ago is facing jail today (Mon) after a cold case review linked him to the attack.


Mustafa Hassan, now 68, attacked the woman as he drove her home following a night out celebrating her 29th birthday in central London, the Old Bailey heard.


His victim, who had earlier been separated from her husband, woke up in the reclined front seat of Hassan's minicab the following morning to find herself being raped. He was caught by a DNA match after being arrested for driving an unlicensed cab in 2005.


Its that easy, because the Police both Met and City of London, LTPH,TfL and STC refuse to enforce the law.
The GLA and the Mayor are turning a blind eye!
The question must be asked WHY?
 350 sexual assaults in the last 3 year, that's 350 shattered lives. How do they sleep at night.

Ban On Satellite Office Licenses Non Existent in City of London... By Thomas the Taxi.

It has recently been observed by drivers, that Rides2Ltd, a licensed PH provider, have been acting illegally outside the Anthologist Bar in Gresham Street in the City of London. 


When Gresham Street was revamped by the Corporation of the City of London, the licensed Taxi rank was mysteriously paved over without notification. Now TfL have licensed a minicab operator to service this venue. (STaN Agenda again?)


The bar/night club has been granted a satellite license after receiving support from inspector John Ryland, of the City of London Police, in-spite of a moratorium on satellite office licenses, made by Director of LTPH John Mason, while the Taxi and Private Hire consultation was in progress.

It now seems this venue, is not just a one off. Revolution, Reflex, the Apt Bar and Abacus, have all been supported for licensing as private hire operational centres by the City of London Police.

In fact it was them who came up with the idea of drivers from the favoured minicab companies wearing different coloured hi-visibility vests, to stop the touting of each others work.

You may have read recently in Cab Trade News this article, apparently from Grant Davis of the LCDC:

"For many years we have had a rank in Gresham St, but following road works by the Corporation, the rank had been paved over.

After watching a Clipboard Johnny working outside the bar I brought the subject up with both John Mason and Helen Chapman at our recent clear the air meeting at Palestra.

Both seemed shocked at the news, and stated that they were unaware of the situation.
We queried this, as we thought that LTPH had put a freeze on issuing any new satellite offices?
John Mason said that the only time a new Satellite Office is given permission to open, is when the application has been supported by the Police. Since the freeze on new applications, John informed us that there had been only six new Satellite Offices opened.
I immediately wrote to Inspector John Ryland and asked why they had supported the application bearing in mind the Clubs recent “Rank At The Bank” demonstration. 

His reply:
Hi Grant, The City Of London Police did not request a Licensed PHV office at the Anthologist as part of the condition of granting of their licence.

I supported their application in order to ensure the safe departure of patrons during and on completion of licensed hours due to the large number of patrons and lack of other available services.

The Anthologist is licensed for 1000 patrons during licensed hours and reduced to 850 for promoted events.
Regards
John Ryland"

So there you have it, the Corporation Of London has denied the Licensed taxi trade the right to give the public a service and ply our trade. We have been replaced by Illegal minicabs plying for hire night after night at this venue.
One has to ask why this is happening, could it be that some officials, within the Corporation, are being “rewarded ” for their co-operation?

John Mason stated "the only time a new Satellite Office is given permission to open, is when the application has been supported by the Police".

The Law is an Ass.

It would seem the city police make up their own rules to suit their own purpose.

It has also been pointed out that Black cabs are receiving PCNs for dropping passengers in Old Broad Street and yet PH cars are using the street as a cut through to tout at Liverpool Street Station. If they were receiving tickets this would not still be going on. Many touts were reported to be using the cut through this week end! 

Is this a case of bias, on behalf of the Corporation of London in league with the City Police?

Is LTPH saying they have no jurisdiction in the square mile?

Surely as licensing authority, the LTPH under the directorship of John Mason has the final word on who TfL issue a license to?

In any-case a covert field trip on any night would reveal exactly whats happening at this club. Bookings are openly touted and taken on the pavement outside. Licensed taxis are threatened with violence by security staff including the clipboard Johnnie.  

Editorial Comment from 8829 Semtex:

Inspector John Ryland, needs to be held accountable for what he has supported to 'ensure safe departure of patrons'.

If one allegation or charge of any sexual assault by a mini cab driver that has had Inspector John Ryland's 'support' evolves out of this, I will be the first person to hold him personally accountable for his professional judgement.

John Ryland has been incredibly brazen in his decision, and I only hope he is man enough to accept responsibility, when it is proved his command and outcome of it, proves reckless.

I have checked Inspector John Ryland's professional position out as far as I am able.

Looking at his previous work, he doesn't appear to be a great friend of our trade.
Reading between the lines of what he says, it may be that his main priority is to clear venues and streets as quickly as possible by whatever means, to save his officers having to deal with the inevitable public order offences that take place after people have been drinking.

That is all very well of course, but it seems to be taking a huge risk. 
Surely supporting the application for satellite mini cab offices to 'ensure the safe departure of patrons' is putting an awful lot of trust into drivers who don't even have a credible CRB ?

Furthermore, Inspector Ryland states his reasons for supporting the mini cab application was due to "the lack of other available services ".

Whats wrong with the London Taxi Trade then Sir ? We are not exactly novices at this sort of work, and we have been around for a few hundred years now !

And they reckon there's no agenda ?

Pull the other one !

I will be watching the mini cab outfits that the City Inspector has "supported" with much interest. At least we know who to complain to now, don't we ?

Inspector John Ryland will now be the name and the face who will be our first port of call to Adran Leppard, when (not if) we get wind of the first sexual offence by one of those he has "supported".

He seems to have taken on the remit of the City Police Mini Cab Satellite sanctioning officer.

That could prove an awful big gamble with his police career and our mini cab friendly police inspector, may soon have to resort to his secondary talent as a boxing coach to pay his mortgage.

I shall be watching and waiting like a hungry hawk ! As soon as the mouse comes out of the hole, the hawk will feed !

A Glimmer of Hope Marred by the Legacy of Oddy's Statement.

New Transport Secretary Justine Greening.

New transport secretary Justine Greening, who recently took over the post from Philip Hammond, has made an encouraging statement about use of the Zil lanes for the Taxi trade, during next years Olympic games.

In an article published in the Evening Standard she said;

"There may be some flexibility over Olympic lanes, such as allowing more cars to join them at key junctions at certain times". 
"Black cabs could be allowed to use them if they absolutely have to".

But then, in a typical Evening Standard dig at the worlds best Taxi service, she is reported to have slap down the LTDA's Bob Oddy who called for a 20% fare hike during the Olympics to compensate for inconvenience. 

"I just think that we've got to be careful that when tourists come to London, they feel like it is affordable to come back," she said.

We must make it clear to the new Transport Secretary that the demand was made by a man who has not driven a cab for over 20 years and did not consult with his many members.

In a recent email pole of its 2000 members, the UCG received an overwhelming 98% majority against such an increase. Put that in tomorrows Standard Matthew Beard.

See full article here.

Social Media: Could It Be An Answer, For Better Enforcement?...by Thomas the Taxi

Cabup: Image from GLA website.

TweetaLondonCab's Cabup account on Twitter, is a service for licensed Taxi drivers with smart phones, to share information about the availability of work and traffic conditions. It is simply a master piece of modern social media networking. 
The service has recently been recognised by the GLA, who have posted an article on their website by TLC co-founder Richard Cudlip 
(see article here)


But could the authorities expand on this idea in the everyday fight against crime. Our trade faces massive problems from private hire drivers, illegally plying for hire. It is widely believed this practise is encouraging predators who are committing serious sexual assaults including rape. A simple twitter account could alert enforcement officers within minutes, who could then inspect cars waiting outside night venues.


Its not hard to set up and doesn't cost a fortune to run. I am sure the people who set up Cabup would be more than willing to help the Met or LTPH set up a similar service. Its simple and its cheap and it could be very successful.


A Twitter account set up by TfL/LTPH could see thousands of extra pairs of eyes out on the street spread over a 24 hour period. If incorporated with a text update service, we could have as many as 25,000 drivers keeping an eye on the security of the capital. 
In return for this information, drivers would expect to see more action taken against touts and illegal plying for hire.


New York currently have 800 paid inspectors keeping an eye on the Taxis and Limos but in London, when needed most (in the hours of darkness), we are granted only 7 full time enforcement officers, working a 5 day week. This is woefully inadequate. I never thought I would live to see the day when travelling home late at night would be safer in New York than London. 


The value of the London Taxi trade is being overlooked by the authorities and I believe, we could be a great asset to safety and security in the capital. 


When I first entered the Taxi trade, some 39 years ago, Taxis were called upon to volunteer in times of civil emergencies. I also remember being given an A4 card by Lords radio circuit (Dial a Cab), to put in the window that stated " Emergency Vehicle" in case we were needed for the walking wounded. 


After the terrible carnage of the London tube and bus bombings, many Taxi drivers offered their services free, to ferry relatives of victims to and from hospital and take hospital staff home after their long gruesome shift.

For the last two years, TfL has shamefully shut down tube lines, and left veterans stranded on their most important day of their year. After hearing this news, the London Taxi trade was first to step up to the mark and lay on a free service for veterans, picking them up and taking them to and from the Remembrance Day services. One driver remarked "Although I never earned a penny, it was the best days work I have ever done".
Over 500 Taxis took part this year in conjunction with the Royal British Legion and this service is now to become a regular feature of Remembrance Sunday. 

Also, lets not forget the amazing trips for children, many with life threatening illnesses plus the war disabled veterans outings, laid on by a host of Taxi trade charities. Some of these events have long waiting lists of drivers volunteering their services. Even the director of LTHP John Mason, took part in this years 100 Magical Taxi-Tour to Disneyland Paris, completely unannounced. 

But as usual, when it comes to the Taxi trade, good deeds go virtually unreported.


So Mayor Boris Johnson, Commissioner Hogen-Howe, Chief Superintendent  Sultan Taylor, Peter Hendy, John Mason and Helen Chapman, why not give it a try. 
Talk to the guys from TweetaLondonCab and help us, help you, make London a safer place at night.

Has The Sun Set on Project Horizon?

Stop Press:

Members of TSSA announced that they had not been informed officially of any climb down by LTPH and so, along with members of the Taxi trade groups UCG and RMT, decided to go ahead with the demo and leafleting outside Windsor House this morning. 

While there they received conformation and as you can see by their faces the mood was victorious.

TfL plans to outsource Taxi and Private Hire shelved. 

In last minute moves, Helen Chapman, Deputy Director of Taxi and Private Hire Directorate at TfL, announced the plans to outsource Taxi and Private hire, have been withdrawn. In a short statement Ms Chapman called for the demonstration planned by TSSA and a united Taxi trade to be called off.

It is believed the thought of the Taxi trade, fully uniting, has shaken the very foundations at Windsor House.

The time is now right for LTPH's Directorate to tear up the current engagement policy, which is seen by the majority of this trade as elitist and unfair. Relations between the Licensed Taxi trade and TfL have reached an all time low, to the detriment of both. LTPH must consider meaningful consultation with all trade bodies, no matter what size membership they have. 

Size shouldn't be a problem as LTPH already welcome Unite (ex T&GW) to the consultation table, with the smallest membership in the trade.

Its been nearly three years since the "Enough's enough" demo, in Trafalgar square and we have seen the trade go from bad to worst. Absolutely nothing has been achieved. The current director of LTPH, through his engagement policy, has completely divided the trade with promises of seats at the consultation table. 

We have for the passed two years seen a football supporter mentality that has torn the trade apart, pitching driver against driver.

Yesterdays back down by LTPH shows just how fearful they are of a united Taxi trade.

Surely a trade alliance with representatives from every trade body no matter how small, is the only way forward to deal with TfL's damaging issues such as Project Horizon and the dreaded STaN agenda.

So John and Helen, time to tear up the present engagement policy and time for all representative group leaders to get on the phone and make plans for a full united trade summit.

You know it makes sense!!!

BREAKING NEWS: TfL CALL FOR DEMO TO BE CANCELLED

The paper which was due to be presented to the Finance & Policy Committee on 23 November and TfL Board  on 7 December concerning the outsourcing of licensing and compliance functions has been withdrawn. The strategy for the continuing discharge of TPH’s functions is currently being reviewed and further information relating to the future of taxi and private hire services will be made available at the appropriate time through a formal notice.

We strongly advise the taxi trade to call off the proposed demonstration and wait for further information regarding proposals for the future provision of licensing and compliance services.

Helen

Helen Chapman

Deputy Director

London Taxi & Private Hire Directorate | Transport for London

Editorial Comment: Tomorrows Demo at Windsor House... by Thomas the Taxi

Not another Demo?

The London Taxi Trade finally being told, by staff at TfL that privatisation of our trade is very much on the cards, under "Project Horizon and is to be discussed at this meeting of TfL finance committee.

As TfL follow the STaN agenda to its final solution of a one tiered service (now incorporated into Project Horizon), LTPH and Taxi licensing will soon be outsourced to a private company.

How safe will your details be when kept on files in India?

How easy will it be to obtain cloned bills from a holding company in Mombia?

How do you feel about minicab ranks in London?

How will you fair under a one tiered system?

Won't happen....It already has. Just look at the lines of cars outside every night venue. Ever wondered, how they keep getting away with it?

Headlines Abacus licensed revoked... next day Diamond cars back outside...no enforcement!

A one tier system starts in Belfast in the new year, as a forerunner to licensing reforms that are about to spread all over Great Briton.

Manchester airport have replaced Black Cabs with Private hire...Could Heathrow be next...Griffin has just acquired all Lewis Days minicab section...Why would he need so many vehicles?

The board of TfL know about and have discuss these reforms on many occasions at "Surface Transport Meetings".

Bob Oddy, general secretary of the LTDA is supposed to represent the Taxi trade on the board of TfL and has attended almost all meetings...

But has said absolutely nothing on the subject  WHY?

8.30 – 9.30am, WEDNESDAY 23rd NOVEMBER at TfL Head Office, Windsor House, 42-50 Victoria Street, London SW1H 0TL


This Demo will be supported by TSSA, LCDC, RMT, UCG and Unite.

It's your future and its in your hands.  

Demonstration – Stop Taxi Licensing Being Sent To Coventry

Transport for London intend to privatise their London Taxi and Private Hire Department, sending many staff to work in Coventry or Northampton.

Staff cuts planned as part of this process will mean fewer cab driver inspections which will undermine the Safer Travel at Night Scheme and expose more passengers – and especially women – to greater risk from unlicensed cab drivers. As it is, London has far, far fewer on-street compliance staff than the numbers employed by New York city.

TfL’s own Website claims 6,000 unlicensed cab drivers have been arrested since the Safer Travel at Night Scheme began in 2003 whilst in 2009/10 there were 143 reported cab related sexual offences.

These proposals are opposed by those staff affected and by the licensed cab drivers.

This Demonstration will be supported by every Taxi trade representative group.

STOP TAXI LICENSING BEING SENT TO COVENTRY

Join the demonstration outside the TfL Finance Board meeting which will be discussing this proposal on Wednesday:

8.30 – 9.30am, WEDNESDAY 23rd NOVEMBER at TfL Head Office, Windsor House, 42-50 Victoria Street, London SW1H 0TL

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