C.A.B
IS A PROTEST GROUP BY TAXI DRIVERS
FOR TAXI DRIVERS WHO DEMAND
THAT
BORIS TAKES IMMEDIATE ACTION ON THE FOLLOWING POINTS.
1. PROPER REGULATION OF LONDON TAXIS.
THROUGHOUT THE UK LOCAL AUTHORITIES HAVE A TAXI LICENSING
DEPARTMENT THAT REPORTS DIRECTLY TO THAT AUTHORITY AND IS
REQUIRED TO CONDUCT THEMSELVES IN A FAIR,PROPER AND LAWFUL WAY.
TRANSPORT FOR LONDON IS A CORPORATION WHICH CONDUCTS ITSELF
IN A WAY WHICH DOES NOT COMPLY WITH PUBLIC LAW AND HAS
IMPLEMENTED IMPROPER AND UNLAWFUL STRATEGIES ON LONDON
TAXI DRIVERS.
A PROPER BODY NEEDS TO BE SET UP IMMEDIATELY TO MANAGE TAXI
REGULATION IN A FAIR,PROPER AND LAWFUL WAY AND REPORTS
DIRECTLY TO THE GLA.
2. AN INDEPENDENT INQUIRY NEEDS TO BE SET UP IMMEDIATELY TO
INVESTIGATE THE FAILURE OF TFL TO IMPLEMENT AND ENFORCE PRIVATE HIRE
REGULATION.
THIS IS NOT JUST UNLAWFUL IT COMPRIMISES THE SAFETY OF THE TRAVELING
PUBLIC AND COMPRIMISES SECURITY (HIGHLIGHTED BY THE RECENT TERRORIST
CONVICTIONS).
TFL'S MANY IMPROPER AND UNALWFUL STRATEGIES WHICH HAVE BEEN
IMPOSED ON TAXI DRIVERS WHICH INCLUDE THE OPERATION OF TAXI RANKS, THE
OLYMPIC ROUTE NETWORKS, DRIVER IDENTIFIERS AND THE TAXI AGE LIMIT.
3. EMISSIONS
THE MAYOR AND TFL HAVE SAID THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ARE DYING FROM
POLLUTION RELATED ILLNESS IN LONDON AND HAVE IMPOSED RIDICULOUS
INEFFECTIVE STRATEGIES ON TAXI DRIVERS WHO ARE THE VERY PEOPLE THAT ARE
MOST AFFECTED BY POLLUTION.
(DRIVERS SIT IN IT FOR THEIR ENTIRE WORKING LIVES)
THE TAXI AGE LIMIT WILL DO NOTHING TO REDUCE POLLUTION AND IS PUTTING
UP TO 300 DRIVERS A MONTH OUT OF WORK. IT SHOULD BE STOPPED IMMEDIATELY.
PROPER AND EFFECTIVE EMISSIONS REDUCTION STRATEGIES SHOULD BE
IMPLEMENTED AS A MATTER OF URGENCY TO INCLUDE A BAN ON PEAK TIME
DELIVERIES FOR HGVS, PROPER TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT TO STOP ROADS BEING BLOCKED
BY ROADWORKS ETC AND EFFECTIVE EMISSIONS REDUCTION STRATEGIES FOR TAXIS.
DRIVERS WILL BE PROTESTING EVERY MONDAY MORNING BY DRIVING TO TOOLEY
STREET AT 11AM STARTING FEBRUARY 20TH 2012.
PLEASE SUPPORT THIS PROTEST REGARDLESS OF WHICH TRADE ORGANISATION
YOU BELONG TO AND SAVE YOUR TAXI TRADE. THESE ISSUESS AFFECT EVERY
SINGLE DRIVER.
ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE EMAIL- CABBIESAGAINSTBORIS@GMAIL.COM
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO RECEIVE TEXT UPDATES ABOUT THE PROTEST PLEASE TEXT
THE WORD 'CAB' TO 66777 (STANDARD TEXT RATES APPLY)
IMHO C.A.B is attempting to hit ( include) too many targets. By including items like HGV parking etc waters down and takes away from the major issues that affect taxi drivers: lack of law enforcement, illegal acts by tfl and emissions.
ReplyDeleteSimple question
ReplyDeleteHave the cab trade organisations been consulted about this "solo" attempt and if not why not?
Some cab trade organisations were asked but there was no an interest in a demo which seemed to be confronting Boris.
DeleteThe objective of this campaign is not about who is successful in The Mayoral election in May; it seems to be the case that whoever is elected they will not act in a reasonable way once they are in office. The time for action is now before the election takes place. Boris Johnson as Mayor and Chairman of TFL has the powers to imediately implement proper, fair and reasonable management of London Taxis and resolve the main issues which have been raised ie Privatae Hire Regualtion, the Age Limit, the Olympic Routes, Taxi Ranks and Identifiers.
Any demonstration that has previously been organised by any individual trade organisation has not been attended by any other organisaations members. It may be the case that a demonstration which is for the objectives to be acheived with no political interest of any one trade organisation is a positive way to do things.
We have already had signifcant support from many drivers; a demo was held in Stratford last week and it seems likely those drivers will attend. It is also beleived that many drivers from Heathrow will be driving to attend.
We have already had media interest and I am sure that will increase every week as the Monday protests continue.
We look forward to seeing drivers on Monday at 11am
Regards Dave Davies
Dave Davies wrote: "Boris Johnson as Mayor and Chairman of TFL has the powers to imediately implement proper, fair and reasonable management of London Taxis and resolve the main issues which have been raised ie Privatae Hire Regualtion, the Age Limit, the Olympic Routes, Taxi Ranks and Identifiers."
DeleteMuch of this is not true either. In respect of the Olympic Routes the ORN's and PRN's, these are outside of the Mayor's remit. London was granted the 2012 Olympics on the understanding that these routes would be in place to accommodate the 'elitist' needs of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and other VIP's.
Without acceding to these demands it is likely that the Games would have gone to Paris. This, in the overall scheme of things, was probably a small consideration. So, the decision was taken above the Mayor's head, TfL's head and the heads of the London taxi trade who were never likely to be consulted in any event.
To change it now we might have to go back to the IOC. We are contracted to this decision and there could be very costly legal repercussions if we now try to move the goal-posts after entering into a contract with the IOC.
These concerns should have been raised BEFORE we sat down to negotiate with the IOC. Our Government and the Mayor's office, make no mistake, wanted these games very badly indeed and the minor issue (to them) of taxi accessibility was obviously way down on their list of priorities.
We all have our views on the other issues you raise Mr Davies, but many drivers welcome the introduction of 'Identifiers' with or without the alleged insufficient consultation. They are long overdue and have been implemeted because the level of offending by some suburban drivers was simply unacceptable.
Now that we have complied with the LTPH regulations on this subject, having put our own house in order, we now have a much stronger case in arguing about the huge levels of law-breaking by the minicabs.
Let us now forcibly lobby Mr Mason and LTPH to carry out the same sort of exercise with the minicabs - we are now in a much better position to do so.
As for the 15 year age limit, many believe that this is long overdue and is NOT unreasonable. Having a more modern fleet is in the cab trade's best interest as we compete for customers with the LPH trade/racket whose vehicles are often far more comfortable than ours.
We used to accuse them of having the 'old bangers' but it is arguably the other way round these days.
With an annual Cost Price Index in place for the last 28 years or so our tariff is constructed to take into account replacing our vehicles more often. Any responsible Mayor is hardly likely to resist such calls for change in modernising our taxi fleet.
We do have serious concerns over the LPH trade and how it is affecting us and I believe it is THIS that we should focus most of our attention to.
I recall the 'tizzy' and 'fury' the trade got worked up about over other minor issues such as exhaust emissions and meter-interfaced printers. They were really little no more than a storm in a tea-cup as we look back and has not really affected how we operate as a business. Both issues are largely forgotten and now seem such a waste of effort - and for what?
Were we making a fuss just because we like the sound of our own voices, when we should have been concentrating on more much important issues? London burns whilst the cab trade fiddles?
Would this be the same Alan Fleming who campaigned tirelessly for Boris to be elected.Telling everyone he would be the saviour of the trade?.I think we should be told.
ReplyDeleteAnd most drivers agreed to help get Boris elected.
DeleteThis campaign is not about who gets elected in May.
It seems that most drivers dont want to see Ken get in but it doesnt matter who gets elected its about forcing Boris to do something now.
Dont critisise someone who is giving up their time and making an effort to actually do something for the taxi trade when the majority of drivers are afflicted with a serious bout of apathy. The people who are quickst to critise are the slowest to do something themselves.
It seems that most drivers dont want to see Ken get in but it doesnt matter who gets elected its about forcing Boris to do something now.
It is the same Alan Fleming and boris has stabbed
Deleteus in the back. The phrase turncoat comes to mind.
I have been a tory supporter all my life and I would
not vote for hime again if my backside was on fire and
he had a bucket of water
David Davies, what you have posted isn't exactly true is it?
ReplyDeleteYou say "Some cab trade organisations were asked but there was no interest in a demo which seemed to be confronting Boris."
The title of your proposed demo was 'Sack Boris' which is not the same as 'Confront Boris' is it?
The UCG Committee took a vote on this proposed action and it was unanimously agreed that to support the sacking of Boris Johnson and clear the path for Ken Livingstone to return was something that we did not want to be responsible for, so we would not support this.
You then stated that although the title of the proposed demo was 'Sack Boris', the objective was not to sack Boris.
You should say what you mean and mean what you say.
You also say that "Any demonstration that has previously been organised by any individual trade organisation has not been attended by any other organisations members."
Again this is untrue.
At the recent Trafalgar Sq demo organised by the UCG, the RMT London Taxi branch officially supported us, and there were many members from all the other trade organisations present.
The UCG feel we have made the right decision in not supporting your call for action because we are not sure you know what you want.
We also question that your planning and preparation for organising a demo is far short of what is required.
It is easy to call for a demo, it is far more complex to stage one.
When Alan Fleming was Chairman of the LCDC he was bound by the Rules of the Club which state: "The Club shall not adopt any specific political affiliations." Mr Fleming was actively trying to get round the table with Ken Livingstone in the Mayor's early days in an effort to get the LCDC recognised and just a few days later he called for a 'Demo' outside the Mayor's offices.
ReplyDeleteSo to read his current rantings comes as quite a surprise. He didn't know what he was doing then and it is likely that he doesn't know what he is doing now.
This kind of confused conduct was in a word 'Barmy' and showed a distinct lack of foresight and rational thinking. It seems his confusion is still with him and his current call for a regular drive-in at Tooley Street is just as absurd as much of his other things he called for.
It is clear that Boris has not given us all that we wanted and we know that no-one gets everything they ask for. However, we have to make our case - over and over if need be. We should not resort to name-calling as he once did by calling the officials at the PCO as "Neanderthal Man." on the front paqe of the Badge when he was its Editor. It is little wonder that LTPH see us in the way that they do. There can be no doubt that much damage was done to our trade by his unnecessary and egotistical articles.
We should be grateful that Mr Fleming's days in charge of a driver representative group are over and his current suggestions are never going to further our cause. I suspect any support for his efforts will be very small and no responsible group is likely to back HIS calls for action. Those days for him are over. We need better leadership than this.