STaN...Dead, Long Live Project Horizon...Part 1

Project Horizon: A brief history.
Because of all the adverse publicity and the threat that in the near future TfL's friends in cab trade orgs may soon be replaced, TfL have put the STaN agenda out to grass.


STaN has long served its purpose and almost done the job it was designed to do, being undetected for so long.
As STaN got underway, satellite offices with lines of cars started to appear under the watchful eye of the clipboard Johnnies.  Confrontations started to take place. Emails of complaint were sent to Ed Thompson, Ken Livingstone, Peter Hendy and drivers started to ask questions of their trade leaders. Trade leaders as usual were clueless and unwilling to get involved.


TfL isolated themselves from the furore, by passing all complaints to the PCO,  who panicked and put the job of replying in the hands of three managers, Mary Dowdye, Len Simkin and Luke Howard, all now replaced. 
This led to the now infamous email reply from Luke Howard that clearly stated;
"After taking advise from their legal team, TfL feel it is perfectly legal for these cars to park outside venues and wait to be hired". 
The truth was TfL's legal team was never consulted, this was a complete lie from Mr Howard. 
This information has just been released after an FOI request from the RMT.
Trade bodies took Luke Howard's word as gospel and went back to selling holidays and insurance schemes.


It was only after the Whitcomb Street private hire rank story appeared on the Anderson Shelter, exposing the blind eye approach from the PCO that a hurried demo was arranged. Leaders were called in to the PCO and formed an unholy alliance known as the UTG, and all resistance to satellite offices, illegal plying for hire and clipboard Johnnies suddenly stopped. In fact the United trade group demo in February 2009 was a huge flop and nothing was achieved.


This led to the formation of a new union (RMT) and an umbrella group (UCG) for dissatisfied drivers who felt their subscriptions were not being put to good use.


Now after 3 mass demos , 4 flash-mob type demos, the publication of a new trade journal, involvement from MPs and assembly members, TfLs top brass have developed a case of the twitches.


The STaN Agenda is now dead... long live "Project Horizon".


"Project Horizon" is really STaN under a different name but with an added twist which we will reveal later.


What is "Project Horizon" all about?
It is no coincidence that "Project Horizon" and private hire have the same initials, it's a code name that stands for an objective.
So what is the objective ?...same as in STaN, but with a new twist.
When you are told "It's not about the money", you can bet your bottom dollar it's about the money and thats exactly what it's all about.


This is a story about the corruption, misapplication of funds, refusal to safeguard passenger safety, turning a blind eye to sexual assaults and rapes, refusal to enforce the law, putting peoples lives at risk and one lie after another. This story will take some time to explain so we will take one subject at a time and post articles in serial form. Please keep an eye out for the next thrilling instalment of "Project Horizon".

Editorial Comment:
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Jason Byrne.