An extraordinary branch meeting took place, on Wednesday 22nd February.
Various motions for the administration of the branch where discussed, Charlie Miller brought a motion forward, calling for industrial action to be held strategically at Stratford, on the grounds of;
•No representation at TfL (Taxi Engagement Policy)
•No access to the Olympic Route Network (ORN).
•The issue of the Identifiers being implemented without proper consultation.
•Newham councils removal of Taxi rank spaces/removal of Taxi rank signage with consultation with any driver representative body.
The motion was carried unanimously. The industrial action will take place this evening at 5pm.
Charlie Miller who, on behalf on the RMT represents over 200 local drivers said "a letter had been sent by recorded delivery some weeks ago, to LTPH director John Mason to arrange a meeting, but as of this morning, Mason had failed to reply.
It appears that John Mason's deputy director, Helen Chapman, along with representatives from Newham council, met with four drivers last Monday. We have been informed by the RMT suburban rep, these drivers have no mandate to represent anyone other than their own self interests. Charlie said Mason is adamant he will not speak with anyone from the RMT.
This afternoons action looks set to bring the area around the Olympic site (and most of East London) to a complete standstill.
The Anderson Shelter has been informed that drivers from other trade groups will also be attending this demonstration which is thought to be a pre cursor to other action planned in future, over worries from the trade about the way we have been left out of arrangements concerning the Olympic park.
Wednesday, 29 February 2012
Tuesday, 28 February 2012
RMT Invite Trade to Unite...
Below is a letter sent to every Taxi trade organisation and Union who purport to represent the interests of Taxi drivers in London.
* figures supplied by the RMT London Taxi Branch
Please watch all of this video when you get the chance. The first 10 minutes is just a bit of fluffing but the last 17 minutes should open the eyes of a few unbelievers.
With the impending Law commissions report set to radicalise and simplify the Hackney carriage laws not just for London but the UK as a whole, it's crucial all those invited should attend this very important meeting. See video below!
We have been seen to put our house in order and now its time to unite and tackle the true enemies of our trade, namely the over issue of PH driver licenses (currently 105,000*), Satellite office expansion, illegal plying for hire- touting by licensed private hire drivers and the disappearance of large number of Taxi rank spaces all over the capital.
The Anderson Shelter applauds the RMT London Taxi branch, for organising a meeting which is so important for the future of our trade.
Only one third of the trade belong to a recognised representative body. If you want to save your trade and safe guard your livelihood, we would suggest you look at the two unions and three organisations that are there to protect your working practises carefully and join one as soon as possible.
Please watch all of this video when you get the chance. The first 10 minutes is just a bit of fluffing but the last 17 minutes should open the eyes of a few unbelievers.
Lewisham station parking making cab drivers lives ‘impossible’
Disappearing Ranks In The Suburbs
An hour of confused passengers, taxis driving endlessly around the station and frustrated bus drivers beeping their horns.
ANGRY cabbies are fuming about the parking enforcements at Lewisham station which they say are making life impossible.
Black cabs were once allowed up to the station entrance but for several years have had to make do with a rank for 10 cabs down by the DLR.
With so many taxis at the station, many drivers have ignored these regulations and stopped elsewhere.
All was well up until this month, when drivers parking outside the designated spaces started getting hit with fines.
Graham Lynch, a taxi driver for 30 years, said: “We’ve been there for five years and they’ve left us alone. Now they say we can’t park there anytime.”
Last week on February 23 during evening rush hour, black cab drivers worked to rule in a bid to demonstrate the chaos that the lack of spaces has created.
What followed was an hour of confused passengers, taxis driving endlessly around the station and frustrated bus drivers beeping their horns.
Lewisham station
A spokesman for the cabbies said more problems were caused by regulations stating disabled people had to cross to the other side of the road in order to be picked up, creating a safety risk.
He said: “They’re saying we can only have 10 spaces for taxis but we need 40 to 60. It’s totally impossible for us to work under these conditions.
“We’re all doing our best to serve the public but this is making it very hard, especially for disabled people.”
He added: “We’ve approached everybody about it and nobody’s done anything.”
A spokesman for Transport for London said talks were ongoing between drivers and the Southeastern rail company.
He said: “It’s something we’re aware of. We have met with the cab drivers and are trying to resolve the situation.
“There are due to be further talks next month.”
source: http://www.newsshopper.co.uk/
Monday, 27 February 2012
Cabbies Against Boris 2nd Protest....David Davies
Cabbies Against Boris.
The second protest will take place tomorrow 11am, Monday 27th February at Tooley Street. Meet opposite Bermondsey Street.
Last weeks protest created significant media interest and we will continue every Monday until changes are made.
We have given information to the Mayors Office at a meeting on Friday which outlined the problems with the lack of Private Hire regulation, the Identifiers, the removal of Taxi Ranks across London, the Olympic route lanes and the Age Limit.
We are awaiting a response but will keep up the pressure until these issues are resolved.
The ongoing support of drivers is needed and are pleased to see any drivers attend regardless of which trade organisation they belong to.
We want Boris to make changes immediately; he promised to help taxi drivers in 2008 and this protest is to ensure he does exactly that. With the upcoming Mayoral Election we are sure that Boris will want to be seen as a man of his word.
This is not about who is elected in May, this is a group of drivers who are protesting about a Mayor that has let them down badly.
The second protest will take place tomorrow 11am, Monday 27th February at Tooley Street. Meet opposite Bermondsey Street.
Last weeks protest created significant media interest and we will continue every Monday until changes are made.
 |
| Election beckoning and Ken looking over his shoulder |
We are awaiting a response but will keep up the pressure until these issues are resolved.
The ongoing support of drivers is needed and are pleased to see any drivers attend regardless of which trade organisation they belong to.
We want Boris to make changes immediately; he promised to help taxi drivers in 2008 and this protest is to ensure he does exactly that. With the upcoming Mayoral Election we are sure that Boris will want to be seen as a man of his word.
This is not about who is elected in May, this is a group of drivers who are protesting about a Mayor that has let them down badly.
Sunday, 26 February 2012
Operation Condor
Operation to crack-down on licensing issues
One of the Metropolitan Police Service's (MPS) biggest policing operations of the year so far was launched yesterday to tackle unlicensed activity around the capital.
Operation Condor targets all 32 London boroughs as part of a massive crack-down on licensing issues affecting all our communities and so far has led to 3274 premises visited, 343 licensing breaches identified, and 261 people arrested.
The operation is a co-ordinated 48 hour operation across London to combat those who flout licensing rules including shops, pubs, clubs, unlicensed mini cabs and others.
Police are on the look out for drug taking and other illegal activity inside pubs and checking that alcohol is sold and consumed in line with licensing laws. In shops and supermarkets, they are taking action against people selling alcohol, cigarettes and knives to children and those who have not checked correctly checked the history of second hand goods for sale. Driving licence fraud and taxi touts will also be targeted.
Commander Mak Chishty, leading the operation, said: "Licensing laws are there for good reason as they help protect us from danger. Breaking them is not acceptable. Operation Condor is about keeping our communities safe from harm. In our shops and supermarkets this means people do not sell knives, harmful substances or alcohol to young people; in our pubs and clubs it means that alcohol is sold and consumed in a responsible way, on our roads it means that vehicles, such as taxis are properly licensed and safe.
"This is why so many of my officers were out yesterday and are busy today stopping cars at transport hotspots to check for correct documentation, visiting newsagents, off-licences, supermarkets and betting shops to ensure and test licensing laws are being followed correctly. We are also targeting pubs and clubs to make sure they are strictly applying their permits and to ensure any informal sales of goods or drugs on their premises are dealt with appropriately.
"Licensing impacts upon everyday community life; The results of unlicensed activity on our streets can find the form of underage drinkers acting unsociably, close to where we live, unlicensed mini-cabs endangering passengers by making uninsured journeys and also shops who potentially encourage the circulation of stolen items by not correctly checking the history of second hand goods offered for sale.
"These are just some small examples of why it is vital our officers continue to work with our partners to enforce licensing laws in all walks of life and in doing so protect people who live, work or travel in London safe from harm."
"Transport for London, local authorities and trading standards are some of the partners involved in the combined effort to increase public safety."
During the course of the operation over 3000 officers from boroughs and specialist units will be working on Op Condor, using a range of tactics to bring unlicensed activity to account.
Kit Malthouse, deputy mayor for policing and crime, said: "Most criminal networks profit from illegal licensing, whether it's selling alcohol illegally or giving youngsters access to harmful weapons. Cracking down on this activity means we'll see a knock on effect of a drop in robberies, violence and anti social behaviour, which is good news for Londoners. I'd like to thank the 3,000 police officers enforcing this operation and I'd like to advise criminals across the capital to keep looking over their shoulders as we're
So far in the operation twelve pubs/clubs have been closed during the course of the evening for varying offences.
140 cadets have been deployed on test purchase operations on off-licences across various boroughs. Any breaches have been dealt with primarily by local Trading Standards.
A large amount of counterfeit goods have been seized in partnership with Local Authorities and HMR&C. These include; 750 bottles of alcohol in Tower Hamlets, 23 bottles of non duty paid vodka from Kingston; 41.1L of spirits, 100L vodka, 51L wine, 1/2kg tobacco in Ealing; 500 bottles of wine, 100 bottles of spirits, 8000 cigarettes resulting in £5000 unpaid revenue being identified in Islington.
EDITORIAL COMMENT
Sounds good but don't get carried away. The 3000 extra officers were spread over a large brief which included Alcohol and Tobacco sales, the sale of fake goods, knives, betting shops, in fact any licensing contravention.
Watch the video that explains exactly what the operation covered. Touting was a small part of the operation and eventual 248 arrests.
The most worrying aspect of this video is this senior Met Licensing officer doesn't seem to know the difference between Taxi's, minicab, touts or private hire.
There definitely is a need for these licensing officers to go back to Hendon collage and brush up on the Hackney carriage laws they are charged with upholding.
This was a 48 hr operation, touting by Private hire was a small part of the operation. Come back Monday and the touts will be back is business.
The best we can hope for would be that when these figures are analysed, published or whatever they decide to do with them, they realise the scale of the problem, and take it further.
The Anderson Shelter will endeavour to point out major touting and hope that eventually, resources are given to the police and to TfL enforcement to deal properly with this massive problem.
Lets not forget just how close we are to the Mayoral elections.
One of the Metropolitan Police Service's (MPS) biggest policing operations of the year so far was launched yesterday to tackle unlicensed activity around the capital.
Operation Condor targets all 32 London boroughs as part of a massive crack-down on licensing issues affecting all our communities and so far has led to 3274 premises visited, 343 licensing breaches identified, and 261 people arrested.
The operation is a co-ordinated 48 hour operation across London to combat those who flout licensing rules including shops, pubs, clubs, unlicensed mini cabs and others.
"Licensing impacts upon everyday community life; The results of unlicensed activity on our streets can find the form of underage drinkers acting unsociably, close to where we live, unlicensed mini-cabs endangering passengers by making uninsured journeys and also shops who potentially encourage the circulation of stolen items by not correctly checking the history of second hand goods offered for sale.
"Transport for London, local authorities and trading standards are some of the partners involved in the combined effort to increase public safety."
During the course of the operation over 3000 officers from boroughs and specialist units will be working on Op Condor, using a range of tactics to bring unlicensed activity to account.
140 cadets have been deployed on test purchase operations on off-licences across various boroughs. Any breaches have been dealt with primarily by local Trading Standards.
A large amount of counterfeit goods have been seized in partnership with Local Authorities and HMR&C. These include; 750 bottles of alcohol in Tower Hamlets, 23 bottles of non duty paid vodka from Kingston; 41.1L of spirits, 100L vodka, 51L wine, 1/2kg tobacco in Ealing; 500 bottles of wine, 100 bottles of spirits, 8000 cigarettes resulting in £5000 unpaid revenue being identified in Islington.
EDITORIAL COMMENT
Sounds good but don't get carried away. The 3000 extra officers were spread over a large brief which included Alcohol and Tobacco sales, the sale of fake goods, knives, betting shops, in fact any licensing contravention.
Watch the video that explains exactly what the operation covered. Touting was a small part of the operation and eventual 248 arrests.
The most worrying aspect of this video is this senior Met Licensing officer doesn't seem to know the difference between Taxi's, minicab, touts or private hire.
There definitely is a need for these licensing officers to go back to Hendon collage and brush up on the Hackney carriage laws they are charged with upholding.
This was a 48 hr operation, touting by Private hire was a small part of the operation. Come back Monday and the touts will be back is business.
The best we can hope for would be that when these figures are analysed, published or whatever they decide to do with them, they realise the scale of the problem, and take it further.
The Anderson Shelter will endeavour to point out major touting and hope that eventually, resources are given to the police and to TfL enforcement to deal properly with this massive problem.
Lets not forget just how close we are to the Mayoral elections.
Saturday, 25 February 2012
Good News For Suburban Sector 7: By Thomas the Taxi
Good news for suburban sector 7 drivers.
The RMTs ranks and highways suburban representative Mike Sayward along with 3 other suburban representatives attended a meeting with Zac Goldsmith MP and a number of Richmond councillors. The outcome of this meeting has resulted in an order for 6 new ranks in the Richmond and Twickenham area. Also negotiated, are extensions to some existing ranks resulting in 25-30 new rank spaces
New traffic management orders have been sign, Richmond council have agreed and the budget is available.
We are told the arrangements must now be passed over to Richard Masset as chair of the joint ranks committee for final approval.
Well done to Mike and the others who have shown suburban drivers can control their own destiny. It's just a matter of putting in a bit of effort and not sitting back waiting for someone else to do it for you.
And now for the bad news.
Thursday night, Cornhill, Abacus.
Diamond cars have started to employ new tactics to stop Licensed Taxis using the rank outside Abacus.
They block the road with a vehicle while filling space outside the club with their cars. Sometimes blocking the road in both directions and parking their minicabs on the bus stop.
No police!
No wardens!
And no Cab enforcement!
Video by Thomas the Taxi
The RMTs ranks and highways suburban representative Mike Sayward along with 3 other suburban representatives attended a meeting with Zac Goldsmith MP and a number of Richmond councillors. The outcome of this meeting has resulted in an order for 6 new ranks in the Richmond and Twickenham area. Also negotiated, are extensions to some existing ranks resulting in 25-30 new rank spaces
New traffic management orders have been sign, Richmond council have agreed and the budget is available.
We are told the arrangements must now be passed over to Richard Masset as chair of the joint ranks committee for final approval.
Well done to Mike and the others who have shown suburban drivers can control their own destiny. It's just a matter of putting in a bit of effort and not sitting back waiting for someone else to do it for you.
And now for the bad news.
Thursday night, Cornhill, Abacus.
Diamond cars have started to employ new tactics to stop Licensed Taxis using the rank outside Abacus.
They block the road with a vehicle while filling space outside the club with their cars. Sometimes blocking the road in both directions and parking their minicabs on the bus stop.
No police!
No wardens!
And no Cab enforcement!
Video by Thomas the Taxi
London's Safety in Jeopardy, as PH signage Bought For A Couple Of Pounds. Part 3
LTPH are adamant there is no rush for them to change private hire signage as this time they want to get it right...
With the Olympic games just around the corner, the eyes of the world will be on London. With an estimated TV audience of 4 billion, every despot terrorist group from al qaeda to dissident IRA groups will be looking to raise their profile on the world stage. Heads of state from many countries will become assassination targets and the safety of the general public will be put at such a risk to an extent never seen before in this country.
LTPH are saying next year will be a better time to introduce more secure PH signage and frankly, that's not good enough. The Anderson Shelter believes it is of paramount importance that secure signage is implemented ASAP.
Its not just terrorists that are getting hold of private hire signage, people are being raped by imitation private hire drivers using signage bough for a few pounds.
We predict over 200 peoples lives will be shattered by serious sexual assault including full rape between now and next April when the signage is due to be restructured..
In the news today, this from the Met Police website.
With the Olympic games just around the corner, the eyes of the world will be on London. With an estimated TV audience of 4 billion, every despot terrorist group from al qaeda to dissident IRA groups will be looking to raise their profile on the world stage. Heads of state from many countries will become assassination targets and the safety of the general public will be put at such a risk to an extent never seen before in this country.
LTPH are saying next year will be a better time to introduce more secure PH signage and frankly, that's not good enough. The Anderson Shelter believes it is of paramount importance that secure signage is implemented ASAP.
Its not just terrorists that are getting hold of private hire signage, people are being raped by imitation private hire drivers using signage bough for a few pounds.
We predict over 200 peoples lives will be shattered by serious sexual assault including full rape between now and next April when the signage is due to be restructured..
In the news today, this from the Met Police website.
Unlicensed Minicab driver jailed for sexual assaults
An unlicensed minicab driver has been sentenced at Isleworth Crown Court today (Friday 24 February) following sexual assaults on two women in Kingston and Chelsea in 2010.
 |
| Amir Bhatti |
Amir Bhatti, 33 (19/5/78), of Cranford Lane, Hounslow pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual assault and one count of theft in October 2011.
He was sentenced to four years' imprisonemnet for public protection.
Detective Constable Serena D'Adamo of Sapphire said:
"Bhatti used his job as an unlicensed minicab driver to target vulnerable woman and get them into his car so he could carry out the assaults.
EDITORIAL COMMENT
Bhutti used his job as an unlicensed mini cab driver?
How does anyone get a job as an unlicensed minicab driver? Its like saying that mugging and raping are bona fide jobs. Even the Met police do not understand the difference between Licensed Taxis, Licensed Private hire and unlicensed criminals who are raping and pillaging their way across the capital.
Something needs to be done and fast...
Friday, 24 February 2012
UPDATE: London's Safety in Jeopardy, as PH signage Bought For A Couple Of Pounds.
Breaking new:
.PNG)
Helen Chapman has today contacted Jim Thomas, ranks and highways officer of the UCG, with the news that LTPH have spoken to the seller of the Pre-Booked stickers and he is taking down the sale page. He said he will return all stickers in his possession to TfL. Ms Chapman also said that eBay had been spoken to and they promised, in future, to keep a look out this this type of sale and contact LTPH.
The Anderson Shelter would like to thank Helen Chapman for her quick response in the matter which she has bought to a satisfactory conclusion.
With the introduction of the ID badges in all London Licensed Taxis, the trade has been seen to get its own house in order. Now its time for LTPH/TfL to sort out PH signage. We are told by Ms Chapman that the PH trade is set to have new signage, but this has not been finalised or agreed and will not come into effect until early 2013.
Helen, that's not good enough.
We would take this opportunity to ask drivers to be on the lookout for suspicious PHV's.
If you have any doubts as to the authenticity of any PHV, take down the number plate and put into the TfL PH web-checker (available on smart phones). If it returns (0 records found), then report to TfL on the same site.
We would like to see LTPH deal with this serious breach of security, with the same enthusiastic response as previously seen with the cloned Taxi Bills .
When the first car bomb goes bang, outside a London club and the emergency services are picking body parts off the pavement, all fingers will be pointed at Palestra and heads will roll.
.PNG)
The Anderson Shelter would like to thank Helen Chapman for her quick response in the matter which she has bought to a satisfactory conclusion.
With the introduction of the ID badges in all London Licensed Taxis, the trade has been seen to get its own house in order. Now its time for LTPH/TfL to sort out PH signage. We are told by Ms Chapman that the PH trade is set to have new signage, but this has not been finalised or agreed and will not come into effect until early 2013.
Helen, that's not good enough.
We would take this opportunity to ask drivers to be on the lookout for suspicious PHV's.
If you have any doubts as to the authenticity of any PHV, take down the number plate and put into the TfL PH web-checker (available on smart phones). If it returns (0 records found), then report to TfL on the same site.
We would like to see LTPH deal with this serious breach of security, with the same enthusiastic response as previously seen with the cloned Taxi Bills .
When the first car bomb goes bang, outside a London club and the emergency services are picking body parts off the pavement, all fingers will be pointed at Palestra and heads will roll.
Thursday, 23 February 2012
London's Safety in Jeopardy, as PH signage Bought For A Couple Of Pounds...by Thomas the Taxi
PCO enforcement, Safer Travel Command, LTPH compliance teams
and the Metropolitan police have put the safety of the public at risk to terrorist’s
intent on causing chaos in front of the world media this summer.
The Anderson Shelter has (since the attack on Tiger Tiger andCockspur Street
I personally charge John Mason with "Malfeasance" (that's wrongful conduct by a public official) and I call for Boris Johnson/Peter Hendy to remove him from his position immediately.
Editorial Comment:
PETER HENDY, BORIS JOHNSON, JOHN MASON:
Its happened before, It could happen again!
Have you ever lost a love one?
How would you cope being asked to identify a close relative by a body part.
How would you like to pick your daughter up from a police station after she has been raped, what would you tell her?
Would you tell her you could have made it different, you could have prevented it from happening...?
How do you sleep at night?
The Anderson Shelter has (since the attack on Tiger Tiger and
We have seen road stops for London’s licensed taxis, compliance officers
regularly carry out badge and bill checks at Taxi ranks and yet lines of illegally
parked cars, purporting to by licensed private hire, are left to their own
devices to form illegal ranks all over London and are unabated by LTPH, Local
traffic wardens and the Metropolitan and City of London police.
The budget from our license fees that should have been spent on
enforcement has been seconded to a fund to supply LTPH with a state of the art
IT system. While the funds have been spirited away, Londoners safety has been
put at risk. Since July 2007 we have seen two car bomb attempts thousands of thefts
of personal belongings of passengers and nearly a thousand serious sexual
assaults including hundreds of rapes, because of the lack of security and
enforcement appertaining to the illegal plying for hire and touting of licensed
private hire drivers. TfL/LTPH’s record on this subject is disgraceful.
Now we have a new threat, which could put the security of the
Olympic Games in jeopardy.
Bought for Just £4.00...
 |
| Two sets of PH Pre-booked only stickers for £4.00. |
I have just managed to purchase two sets of TfL, “Pre-booked only”
blue stickers from an online store for the princely sum of £4.00 in total.
If I were a terrorist, I could now leave two car bombs unattended
outside any of London
I did contact LTPH last week and asked if on-line stores could
sell these stickers openly on-line but as usual I have had no reply on this
subject.
Abacus...it don't add up!
I have personally witnessed; Police officers from the City of London police, LTPH compliance teams and local traffic wardens remove licensed Taxis from outside Abacus on Cornhill, while leaving a line of twenty private hire cars, unabated and completely unchecked illegally parked, illegally plying for hire and illegally touting.
I have personally witnessed; Police officers from the City of London police, LTPH compliance teams and local traffic wardens remove licensed Taxis from outside Abacus on Cornhill, while leaving a line of twenty private hire cars, unabated and completely unchecked illegally parked, illegally plying for hire and illegally touting.
When two of my colleagues asked the Police Officer to move the
cars, they were told that they had been given permission by TfL to park on the
double yellow lines. The same reply was given by the traffic wardens. LTPH compliance
team falsely stated that they had no control over the line of parked cars and
only had a brief to check licensed Taxi badge and bills.
John Mason Director Of LTPH
The director of LTPH has no concept of Hackney carriage or case law and takes opinion from a legal department that uses a book written by a Derbyshire solicitor, rather than true prima legislation and case record. He has a definite bias towards private hire and has been seen on many occasions to bend over backwards to facilitate PH (just look at the farce with the Grosvenor House Hotel rank and the shambles with the court case of Abacus).
The director of LTPH has no concept of Hackney carriage or case law and takes opinion from a legal department that uses a book written by a Derbyshire solicitor, rather than true prima legislation and case record. He has a definite bias towards private hire and has been seen on many occasions to bend over backwards to facilitate PH (just look at the farce with the Grosvenor House Hotel rank and the shambles with the court case of Abacus).
Under his personal directorship, private hire
driver license numbers have trebled in just 2 ½ years (approx 105,000 PH licenses at present), satellite office
licenses have escalated out of all control.
Mason also refuses to accept illegal plying for hire as a contravention of the terms of a PHV drivers license.
Mason also refuses to accept illegal plying for hire as a contravention of the terms of a PHV drivers license.
With the recent combination of compliance and
licensing departments into just LTPH licensing, there is now no effectual
enforcement connected to LTPH.
I personally charge John Mason with "Malfeasance" (that's wrongful conduct by a public official) and I call for Boris Johnson/Peter Hendy to remove him from his position immediately.
The old PCO had the ability to deal with this problem but since
TfL have taken over PCO enforcement have been virtually abandoned.
It is disgusting that the public’s safety has been put in jeopardy
by these civil servants who are carrying out the STaN agenda to the letter and
are turning a blind eye to heinous crimes taking place just to benefit from PH
license fees.
It is very worrying that lines of illegally plying PHVs are left alone, touting beside (and sometimes on) licensed taxi ranks.
When licensing officers turn up and check badge and bills, Taxi drivers are left in disbelief as the so called “Licensing Officers” drive off leaving the touts unabated and unchecked.
When licensing officers turn up and check badge and bills, Taxi drivers are left in disbelief as the so called “Licensing Officers” drive off leaving the touts unabated and unchecked.
Editorial Comment:
PETER HENDY, BORIS JOHNSON, JOHN MASON:
Its happened before, It could happen again!
Have you ever lost a love one?
How would you cope being asked to identify a close relative by a body part.
How would you like to pick your daughter up from a police station after she has been raped, what would you tell her?
Would you tell her you could have made it different, you could have prevented it from happening...?
How do you sleep at night?
Tuesday, 21 February 2012
EXCLUSIVE: Disappearing Ranks in the Burbs...By Thomas the Taxi.
At the February meeting of the RMT London Taxi Branch, concerned suburban drivers from Newham explained to the members that over the last few months, all Taxi rank signage had been removed by the local council. Drivers also expressed concern that ranks were disappearing from outside major venues and stations across the borough.
Read about recent demo at Stratford
I had prepared a scathing article about the problem, but at the eleventh hour I received news of a possible solution on the horizon.
Read about recent demo at Stratford
I had prepared a scathing article about the problem, but at the eleventh hour I received news of a possible solution on the horizon.
 |
| Drivers Blockade Stratford Station |
I have been reliably informed that yesterday a meeting took place between Newham Council, LTPH and local drivers. The problem of the disappearing signage and rank removal was discussed in great detail. Representatives from Newham took a considerable amount of documentation away with them and agreed to a follow up meeting in two weeks time. I am told the local drives left the meeting much happier.
Again, this has highlighted a major concern that is affecting suburban drivers across all sectors.
- Ranks ARE being moved
- Ranks ARE disappearing.
Unfortunately most suburban drivers have just sat back (much like their centre sector colleagues) and just let it happen.
There is no magic fix. Drivers themselves have to take positive action to get their point across. All trade groups could help with effective lobbying (in a coordinated approach with TfL/LTPH) of the local authorities for rank space. Ranks must be appointed on appropriate sites, in the correct position to attract passenger groups.
It’s no good placing ranks away from station exits (as withKingston ,Richmond
It’s no good placing ranks away from station exits (as with
Editorial Comment:
What protection are we getting for our license fee, at the moment, none!
.
.
Monday, 20 February 2012
Suburban Drivers Coalition Meeting.
Statement from the RMT London Taxi Branch.
Last Thursday afternoon, a meeting was called by the Richmond Suburban drivers coalition to try to address some of the issues that are now having a major effect on their livelihoods.
.
It was a well attended meeting, many drivers turned up from all Suburban sectors right across London.
The meeting was also attended by members of the RMT Branch committee, members of the UCG committee and also a representative from the LTDA was in attendance. But in spite of many calls from the floor, he declined to address the meeting. Many issues were discussed, including ranks and identifiers.
The Richmond drivers spoke out on all the issues they feel are helping to destroy the livelihoods of suburban drivers. The picture appears to be the same right across the suburban sectors.
They asked why they had been let down by the LTDA and TFL, plus LTPH came in for a bashing for continually allowing the compliance team to harass them for over-ranking. Rank spaces in the suburbs are vanishing over night and drivers are persecuted by TFL, whilst nothing is being done to combat illegal plying for hire by private hire.
The assembled drivers were in a militant mood and the RMT delegation spoke of the need to promote unity. The trade needs to see through the haze created by some organisations that have promoted the myth that our colleagues in the suburbs are responsible for all the trades troubles, when in fact we should be standing shoulder to shoulder to defeat the real enemies.
No one condones drivers working outside their sector, but drivers have to realise that the identifiers are a charter for disgruntled cyclist's and bus drivers to make frivolous complaints. Every time your details are on offer your livelihood can be placed in jeopardy.
The RMT are not opposing identifiers without good reason and we do not condone wrong doing by working outside your license area.
The reason we are opposed to this expensive waste of money is, there has been no form of meaningful consultation with the trade.
When we asked LTPH whom in the trade were consulted on this matter, they said thirteen groups were consulted, but when further questioned as to who they were, LTPH suddenly could not remember.
More importantly was it you?
This is why we are seeking legal assistance on this matter.
The whole matter of identifiers is a complete farce and we the drivers should not allow this issue to come between us. We should unite and stand up to all who desire to destroy "the best taxi trade in the world" and to help us carry on for a further 300 years.
The meeting concluded with a demonstration of a new Taxi ordering/ despatch system, BLACKCABNOW which promised to revolutionise the way we order taxis.
The system will be rolled out in Suburbs within the next 20 days.
An injury to one is an injury to all
Last Thursday afternoon, a meeting was called by the Richmond Suburban drivers coalition to try to address some of the issues that are now having a major effect on their livelihoods.
.
It was a well attended meeting, many drivers turned up from all Suburban sectors right across London.
The meeting was also attended by members of the RMT Branch committee, members of the UCG committee and also a representative from the LTDA was in attendance. But in spite of many calls from the floor, he declined to address the meeting. Many issues were discussed, including ranks and identifiers.
The Richmond drivers spoke out on all the issues they feel are helping to destroy the livelihoods of suburban drivers. The picture appears to be the same right across the suburban sectors.
They asked why they had been let down by the LTDA and TFL, plus LTPH came in for a bashing for continually allowing the compliance team to harass them for over-ranking. Rank spaces in the suburbs are vanishing over night and drivers are persecuted by TFL, whilst nothing is being done to combat illegal plying for hire by private hire.
The assembled drivers were in a militant mood and the RMT delegation spoke of the need to promote unity. The trade needs to see through the haze created by some organisations that have promoted the myth that our colleagues in the suburbs are responsible for all the trades troubles, when in fact we should be standing shoulder to shoulder to defeat the real enemies.
No one condones drivers working outside their sector, but drivers have to realise that the identifiers are a charter for disgruntled cyclist's and bus drivers to make frivolous complaints. Every time your details are on offer your livelihood can be placed in jeopardy.
The RMT are not opposing identifiers without good reason and we do not condone wrong doing by working outside your license area.
The reason we are opposed to this expensive waste of money is, there has been no form of meaningful consultation with the trade.
When we asked LTPH whom in the trade were consulted on this matter, they said thirteen groups were consulted, but when further questioned as to who they were, LTPH suddenly could not remember.
More importantly was it you?
This is why we are seeking legal assistance on this matter.
The whole matter of identifiers is a complete farce and we the drivers should not allow this issue to come between us. We should unite and stand up to all who desire to destroy "the best taxi trade in the world" and to help us carry on for a further 300 years.
The meeting concluded with a demonstration of a new Taxi ordering/ despatch system, BLACKCABNOW which promised to revolutionise the way we order taxis.
The system will be rolled out in Suburbs within the next 20 days.
An injury to one is an injury to all
Sunday, 19 February 2012
CABBIES AGAINST BORIS- Update...by David Davies
In 2008 Boris Johnson lobbied for the support of London Taxi drivers promising to ‘make their life easier’. In his 2008 campaign manifesto ‘Getting Londoners moving he said-
Protecting London’s Cab Trade
‘We believe that the cab trade has not got the support it deserves.’
‘we will enact right away to ease the burden on the cab trade’;
Taxi Globe reported-
As the New Year began in 2008,
Boris Johnson began his campaign to become Mayor of
London. At the Royal Oak he told cab drivers: “Taxi drivers
give London a great service – they are an institution. They
work hard to earn the right to drive on the streets of the
Capital and I do not believe in trying to wreck their trade
in the way that Mayor Livingstone has been doing over the
last eight years.” He continued by saying he would scrap the
mid year inspection. He said: “These inspections are adding
to the cost of the taxi drivers’ livelihood, increasing the cost
of their licence, putting an unnecessary burden on drivers.”
Secondly, Boris promised that cab drivers would no longer
be penalised for stopping on Red Routes to allow passengers
to use cashpoints. Thirdly, Boris promised to work with local
councils to make the rules on using bus lanes the same across
London, enabling cab drivers to use all bus lanes.
In response to a question the Mayor said
Boris Johnson (Mayor of London): I think that was the right decision on the twice yearly inspection. We are not going back on that. There are a variety of other measures that we are looking at to make taxis cleaner and greener and to improve the quality of London’s air, but without punishing, unfairly, taxi drivers who have invested in machines in good faith in the belief and knowledge that these are the things that are their only source of income.
In an interview with Cabbies in 2008 he said
‘They’ve had a pretty rough deal over the last few years and there are some very simple things we can do to make life easier for the cabs and to get traffic moving again’
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLL4Bfd729g
So his promises in 2008 of ‘making life easier for the cabs’ and removing burdens and his acknowledgement that
Taxi Drivers give London a great service and had earned the right to drive on London’s streets led to the Back Boris campaign in 2008 which helped him to win the election.
Since his election he has moved the regulation of London Taxis from the Public Carriage Office to Transport for London who have done the complete opposite of making life easier for taxis. They have failed to enforce Private Hire regulation, they have taken away the right to drive on London Streets during the Olympics, they have introduced an Age Limit which puts drivers out of work and does nothing to reduce emissions and have now removed hundreds of Taxi Ranks across London. HE HAS NOT KEPT HIS PROMISES TO SUPPORT LONDONS TAXIS !
The Cabbies Against Boris protest tomorrow is to remind Boris of his promises and demand that he makes immediate changes and stops the persecution of the Taxi trade by TFL.
TFL have implemented a strategy of ‘Divide and Conquer’ by deliberately causing differences between trade organisations. The protest tomorrow has received support from members of ALL Taxi Trade organisations.
There is no political agenda or ulterior motive; the only people the Mayor has to answer to is the London Cabbies themselves.
Please support this protest !. If the Mayor see that London Cabbies are protesting against him he will have to make immediate changes. If the protest is not supported he knows he can do what the hell he likes.
Protecting London’s Cab Trade
‘We believe that the cab trade has not got the support it deserves.’
‘we will enact right away to ease the burden on the cab trade’;
Taxi Globe reported-
As the New Year began in 2008,
Boris Johnson began his campaign to become Mayor of
London. At the Royal Oak he told cab drivers: “Taxi drivers
give London a great service – they are an institution. They
work hard to earn the right to drive on the streets of the
Capital and I do not believe in trying to wreck their trade
in the way that Mayor Livingstone has been doing over the
last eight years.” He continued by saying he would scrap the
mid year inspection. He said: “These inspections are adding
to the cost of the taxi drivers’ livelihood, increasing the cost
of their licence, putting an unnecessary burden on drivers.”
Secondly, Boris promised that cab drivers would no longer
be penalised for stopping on Red Routes to allow passengers
to use cashpoints. Thirdly, Boris promised to work with local
councils to make the rules on using bus lanes the same across
London, enabling cab drivers to use all bus lanes.
In response to a question the Mayor said
Boris Johnson (Mayor of London): I think that was the right decision on the twice yearly inspection. We are not going back on that. There are a variety of other measures that we are looking at to make taxis cleaner and greener and to improve the quality of London’s air, but without punishing, unfairly, taxi drivers who have invested in machines in good faith in the belief and knowledge that these are the things that are their only source of income.
In an interview with Cabbies in 2008 he said
‘They’ve had a pretty rough deal over the last few years and there are some very simple things we can do to make life easier for the cabs and to get traffic moving again’
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLL4Bfd729g
So his promises in 2008 of ‘making life easier for the cabs’ and removing burdens and his acknowledgement that
Taxi Drivers give London a great service and had earned the right to drive on London’s streets led to the Back Boris campaign in 2008 which helped him to win the election.
Since his election he has moved the regulation of London Taxis from the Public Carriage Office to Transport for London who have done the complete opposite of making life easier for taxis. They have failed to enforce Private Hire regulation, they have taken away the right to drive on London Streets during the Olympics, they have introduced an Age Limit which puts drivers out of work and does nothing to reduce emissions and have now removed hundreds of Taxi Ranks across London. HE HAS NOT KEPT HIS PROMISES TO SUPPORT LONDONS TAXIS !
The Cabbies Against Boris protest tomorrow is to remind Boris of his promises and demand that he makes immediate changes and stops the persecution of the Taxi trade by TFL.
TFL have implemented a strategy of ‘Divide and Conquer’ by deliberately causing differences between trade organisations. The protest tomorrow has received support from members of ALL Taxi Trade organisations.
There is no political agenda or ulterior motive; the only people the Mayor has to answer to is the London Cabbies themselves.
Please support this protest !. If the Mayor see that London Cabbies are protesting against him he will have to make immediate changes. If the protest is not supported he knows he can do what the hell he likes.
Saturday, 18 February 2012
Travis B writes: The slow death of the Yellow Badge.
Yes we all know about the identifiers, how its going to lead to a bonanza of work as thousands of Yellow Badge Pirates vacate the inner area, how enforcement will be improved and that its nothing to do with the rumoured hundreds of 'hooky bills' out there!
But readers on here know the AS to dig deeper and ask more searching questions of the trade organisations, LTPH & the councils that encompass the suburbs.
So here we go:
What is needed is more ranks in the right places right now!
Does it matter to the Green Badge as long as YB's stay 'out of town'?
You bet it does!
Every time a punter calls a minicab becuse he cannot access a local taxi, that driver will come in and book the return journey so thats a good ride possibly going home you wont get.
If they book with a big PH circuit they will use them ALL the time so thats a punter lost forever. However the reverse is true, if a punter uses a cab they keep using them!
For those who say nonsense, ask any airport driver who gets the 'return to LAP' on a voucher from the desk? The same happens every day when a punter uses PH instead of us.
If we lose service in the suburbs it reinforces the conception that 'Black Cabs are expensive and difficult to obtain' and gives a PR coup to PH. It can be a good 'finish' to service a busy local rank for those on their way home.
We need a proper strategy from the Trade (hopefully to be discussed at the forthcoming all trades meeting called by the RMT), LTPH and the councils to talk to all of us and to each other, it may need to look at cheaper vehicles, phone apps, meter rates, sector size, KoL, numbers, ranks and a whole host of ideas that come up. I suggest nothing...but we should look at everything.
What we don't need are ill informed and downright demeaning comments such as 'All YB's are scum and need burning', '70% of YB's work in town' etc.etc.
We all need to work together on this and many other matters, united we stand, divided we have no chance!
But readers on here know the AS to dig deeper and ask more searching questions of the trade organisations, LTPH & the councils that encompass the suburbs.
So here we go:
- Why has the trade allowed TfL, London councils etc. to take hundreds maybe even thousands of rank spaces away without a murmur? This effectively locks out the YB from going to work in their sector. Still that's history, lets sort it out now!
- Why agree a PH 'Rank' at Kingston and let the situation at Richmond, Lewisham, Newham etc. get so bad? We don't want a bit of marshalling for the 'faces', but proper provision for ALL the drivers and not enrichment opportunities for PH. Let's solve problems not create them.
- LTPH seem disinterested in YB provision and are allowing satellite offices in stations so our fellow cab drivers starve outside. They have frozen applications on some sectors, but this will take 10 years to make a difference and by that time no YB trade will exist. (is that the plan?)
What is needed is more ranks in the right places right now!
Does it matter to the Green Badge as long as YB's stay 'out of town'?
You bet it does!
Every time a punter calls a minicab becuse he cannot access a local taxi, that driver will come in and book the return journey so thats a good ride possibly going home you wont get.
If they book with a big PH circuit they will use them ALL the time so thats a punter lost forever. However the reverse is true, if a punter uses a cab they keep using them!
For those who say nonsense, ask any airport driver who gets the 'return to LAP' on a voucher from the desk? The same happens every day when a punter uses PH instead of us.
If we lose service in the suburbs it reinforces the conception that 'Black Cabs are expensive and difficult to obtain' and gives a PR coup to PH. It can be a good 'finish' to service a busy local rank for those on their way home.
We need a proper strategy from the Trade (hopefully to be discussed at the forthcoming all trades meeting called by the RMT), LTPH and the councils to talk to all of us and to each other, it may need to look at cheaper vehicles, phone apps, meter rates, sector size, KoL, numbers, ranks and a whole host of ideas that come up. I suggest nothing...but we should look at everything.
What we don't need are ill informed and downright demeaning comments such as 'All YB's are scum and need burning', '70% of YB's work in town' etc.etc.
We all need to work together on this and many other matters, united we stand, divided we have no chance!
Friday, 17 February 2012
Tout Squad at Heathrow.
TOUT squad officers at Heathrow have stepped up their campaign to shame illegal minicab drivers.
As part of the team’s ongoing focus on cracking down on tout offenders picking up passengers outside the terminals, those arrested for offences will now find their vehicle windows displayed with a large poster-sized sticker displaying ‘Driver arrested on suspicion of taxi touting’.
Aside from charging extremely high priced journeys, among the most common law-breaking behaviour from drivers of illegal minicabs are not being covered by correct insurance and that vehicles are not maintained to the same standards as legal taxis.
DS Steve Nunn, head of Heathrow’s Tout Squad said: “We are using these stickers as a public means of showing touts that they will not be tolerated at Heathrow.
“In addition, we want to reassure the public and lawful drivers that the problem of touting is being taken very seriously.”
Heathrow’s chief inspector Adrian Baxter said: “It is important that people understand the serious implications of unlicensed minicabs.
“Quite simply, if you get into an unlicensed cab, you are getting into a stranger’s car.”
If you have any information about illegal minicabs, or any other crime, contact Heathrow police station on 101, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
source: http://www.skyport-heathrow.co.uk/2012/02/officers-shame-taxi-touts.html
As part of the team’s ongoing focus on cracking down on tout offenders picking up passengers outside the terminals, those arrested for offences will now find their vehicle windows displayed with a large poster-sized sticker displaying ‘Driver arrested on suspicion of taxi touting’.
Aside from charging extremely high priced journeys, among the most common law-breaking behaviour from drivers of illegal minicabs are not being covered by correct insurance and that vehicles are not maintained to the same standards as legal taxis.DS Steve Nunn, head of Heathrow’s Tout Squad said: “We are using these stickers as a public means of showing touts that they will not be tolerated at Heathrow.
“In addition, we want to reassure the public and lawful drivers that the problem of touting is being taken very seriously.”
Heathrow’s chief inspector Adrian Baxter said: “It is important that people understand the serious implications of unlicensed minicabs.
“Quite simply, if you get into an unlicensed cab, you are getting into a stranger’s car.”
If you have any information about illegal minicabs, or any other crime, contact Heathrow police station on 101, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
source: http://www.skyport-heathrow.co.uk/2012/02/officers-shame-taxi-touts.html
Ealing Broadway Bike Hub gets on the road.
Work on a new bicycle hub that will offer more secure, covered and well-lit cycle parking near Ealing Broadway station is set to begin next week.
The new cycle stand will be covered by CCTV and will increase the existing amount of cycle parking places available to approximately 130. It will also include a separate folding cycle hire facility.
Construction of the hub at Haven Green will begin on Monday 20 February and is due to be completed in May.
 |
| Current bike stands at Haven Green, Ealing Broadway are set to be replaced with a new Bike Hub including Ealing's very own bike hire scheme And New Taxi Shelter. |
The creation of the cycle hub is part of Ealing Council’s Cycling Strategy which aims to encourage more people to take to two wheels as their regular mode of transport. Ealing Council has secured £286,500 Transport for London (TfL) funding towards delivering the hub.
Temporary cycle stands will be available at Haven Green during construction work. As one of TfL’s “Biking Boroughs”, Ealing Council is focused on creating a local culture of cycling.
North Acton and Greenford stations have also been identified as potential locations for other bicycle stands in future. The cycling strategy includes other investment by the council such as:
* Building on existing award-winning cycle training schemes and continuing to provide advice to new or existing cyclists
* Continuing highway engineering schemes to remove barriers which inconvenience or endanger cyclists
* Extending off-road routes.
* Building on existing award-winning cycle training schemes and continuing to provide advice to new or existing cyclists
* Continuing highway engineering schemes to remove barriers which inconvenience or endanger cyclists
* Extending off-road routes.
Work will also begin this week on building a new taxi shelter at Haven Green. It will have improved rest and toilet facilities for drivers but the stand will have a traditional design.
Councillor Bassam Mahfouz, cabinet member for Transport and Environment, said: “Cycling is a healthy, quick and affordable way to
travel, and we are committed to supporting people who want to take it up in Ealing. Residents have told us that they would be more likely to cycle if they had somewhere secure to leave their bike at Ealing Broadway. The cycle stand will give more cyclists that reassurance, whether they’re in the area shopping or commuting into central London.
travel, and we are committed to supporting people who want to take it up in Ealing. Residents have told us that they would be more likely to cycle if they had somewhere secure to leave their bike at Ealing Broadway. The cycle stand will give more cyclists that reassurance, whether they’re in the area shopping or commuting into central London.
“We’re also very excited to have a cycle hire scheme which will encourage more people to discover the pleasures of cycling.”
Thursday, 16 February 2012
Helen Chapman Replies to Semtex: Part 3
I have taken professional advice on this issue, and to be perfectly honest, I feel as though I am trying to hold the tide back.
Helen Chapman as she correctly states has indeed been holding the door open for since last October, when I was speaking to her.
Helen's office may think that I am deliberately messing them about, but of course, this isn't the case.
I know what the meeting will entail. A ride around with Helen and a senior Police Officer, showing me what legislation they are bound by, how difficult it is to actually take the touts to court, the implications and legal processes of arresting, confiscating and court preperation, etc, etc.
Naturally, I already know all this. My point is though, irrespective of the hurdles, paperwork and difficulties imposed by judicial and legal procedures, the current compliance and enforcement situation regarding dangerous mini cab touting in Central London, is worryingly flawed.
Currently, Londoners are getting nowhere near the value of safety that they are entitled to. The number of departments required to arrest illegal touts show merit to my case, that there are too many people involved and not enough action.
When you consider the financial and human resources that Helen's office has at her disposal, the combined efforts to eradicate such a dangerous activity is abysmal.
Surely, if the PCO and Police continue financing such pathetic results with the money that they are wasting, the future of both PCO and it's employees look in danger.
Regardless of Helen's statistical claims, the public are not a jot safer.
Helen seems to be concerned about 'heavy handed' enforcement, and the court's regard to it.
Where I was trained Enforcement measures were defined by the level appropriate to the level of offending, and not an excuse NOT to do what so obviously needs doing !
It is my personal opinion, that the whole project of STAN is and always was a waste of tax payers hard earned money. It doesn't work, it is badly drafted and totally inappropriate for the needs.
Once again, the poor taxpayer is being shafted, to finance a gravy train for the imposters involved in it.
At the end of the day, enforcement and compliance from PCO and The Police are only effective to law abiding drivers such as our trade. If a compliance officer puts a stop on our cabs or reports us for some other misdemeanour, we will comply.
However, if I were a tout, there is absolutely NOTHING i should be afraid of, because the system has only been devised to deal with lawful people, who have slipped up.
Touting in London will only get worse and worse and worse.
The Police Cab Enforcement cant deal with them, PCO Compliance Officers are not allowed to deal with them, The London Cab Trade can't deal with them, and unfortunately the 2nd Battallion Parchute Regiment, who can deal with them, are otherwise engaged.
I aint going up to Palestra to ride about in a Police Car and listen to waffle. My time is far more useful deployed elsewhere.
I will never get the chance to demonstrate how it could or should be done, so I will put all of my strength and resources into Operation Crystal.
When it is ready, a copy will be sent to The Met Commissioner, The Prime Minister and HM The Queen.
What's the good of sending them to Boris, Hendy and Helen Chapman ? They know what's happening, and can do nothing about it.
So straight to the top, it will go.
8829 Semtex
Helen Chapman as she correctly states has indeed been holding the door open for since last October, when I was speaking to her.
Helen's office may think that I am deliberately messing them about, but of course, this isn't the case.
I know what the meeting will entail. A ride around with Helen and a senior Police Officer, showing me what legislation they are bound by, how difficult it is to actually take the touts to court, the implications and legal processes of arresting, confiscating and court preperation, etc, etc.
Naturally, I already know all this. My point is though, irrespective of the hurdles, paperwork and difficulties imposed by judicial and legal procedures, the current compliance and enforcement situation regarding dangerous mini cab touting in Central London, is worryingly flawed.
Currently, Londoners are getting nowhere near the value of safety that they are entitled to. The number of departments required to arrest illegal touts show merit to my case, that there are too many people involved and not enough action.
When you consider the financial and human resources that Helen's office has at her disposal, the combined efforts to eradicate such a dangerous activity is abysmal.
Surely, if the PCO and Police continue financing such pathetic results with the money that they are wasting, the future of both PCO and it's employees look in danger.
Regardless of Helen's statistical claims, the public are not a jot safer.
Helen seems to be concerned about 'heavy handed' enforcement, and the court's regard to it.
Where I was trained Enforcement measures were defined by the level appropriate to the level of offending, and not an excuse NOT to do what so obviously needs doing !
It is my personal opinion, that the whole project of STAN is and always was a waste of tax payers hard earned money. It doesn't work, it is badly drafted and totally inappropriate for the needs.
Once again, the poor taxpayer is being shafted, to finance a gravy train for the imposters involved in it.
At the end of the day, enforcement and compliance from PCO and The Police are only effective to law abiding drivers such as our trade. If a compliance officer puts a stop on our cabs or reports us for some other misdemeanour, we will comply.
However, if I were a tout, there is absolutely NOTHING i should be afraid of, because the system has only been devised to deal with lawful people, who have slipped up.
Touting in London will only get worse and worse and worse.
The Police Cab Enforcement cant deal with them, PCO Compliance Officers are not allowed to deal with them, The London Cab Trade can't deal with them, and unfortunately the 2nd Battallion Parchute Regiment, who can deal with them, are otherwise engaged.
I aint going up to Palestra to ride about in a Police Car and listen to waffle. My time is far more useful deployed elsewhere.
I will never get the chance to demonstrate how it could or should be done, so I will put all of my strength and resources into Operation Crystal.
When it is ready, a copy will be sent to The Met Commissioner, The Prime Minister and HM The Queen.
What's the good of sending them to Boris, Hendy and Helen Chapman ? They know what's happening, and can do nothing about it.
So straight to the top, it will go.
8829 Semtex
Helen Chapman Replies to Semtex. Part 2
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These officers have the powers of arrest and are tasked with tackling touting by unlicensed and licensed drivers. Since the cab enforcement unit came into existence in 2003, over 7,700 arrests have been made for touting offences. In the most recent STaN campaign, which ran from September to December 2011, some 300 arrests were made.
In addition, over 1,000 private hire licences have been revoked for touting offences.
The point I was trying to make clear is that the police are the only team with the powers of arrest.
The taxi and private hire compliance team is made up of 32 staff which will soon be growing to 41 staff following our recent announcement that we are increasing the night team. This team do not have the powers of arrest as they are not police officers.
The focus of the day team is primarily to undertake private hire operator inspections and to undertake joint operations with the police. They also have responsibility for recovering revoked licences, investigating complaints that we receive etc.
The focus of the night team is to undertake a range of activities to combat illegal touting. This includes monitoring private hire operators in venues, doing checks on licensed PHV drivers and yes, I won’t hide from the fact that part of their remit is to do checks on taxi drivers. This is done proportionally, openly and transparently and it is a myth and nothing more than scaremongering to suggest that this is all the team do. If the team identify any form of illegal activity by a licensee whilst undertaking their work there are a range of options open to them.
For example, should they identify a private hire operator within a venue where the controller is taking bookings on street, they will interview the controller under caution and gather all the facts. When they return to the office they will do a check on the history of this operation and will then make a recommendation for the licence. This could be to recommend that the operator receives a warning, a variation of the licence to remove the operating centre or a revocation of the whole licence. This decision is made on a case by case basis depending on the specific circumstances.
This is one of a range of measures they may take. If there is a situation where they feel that police presence is warranted then they will call in the police to help them tackle a specific situation.
Another aspect to combating illegal touting is to provide a high visibility presence in a specific area. This deters illegal touting by licensed and unlicensed drivers. This is where the joint working with the police can be very successful. However, I am not going to provide details of the tactics used on an open forum.
I don't set the law but I have an obligation to work within it and ensure that our team works within it. There is also an obligation for us to ensure any enforcement activity is proportionate to the offence that has occurred. If anyone thinks that a court would support us if we took a heavy handed approach to enforcement then I am afraid they are very much mistaken.
Yes it can often look simple on the outside when you aren’t in possession of all the facts but I can assure you that having been in this role for two years I do actually know how all of this works. Every day we are developing different tactics and approaches to dealing with the problems and we are starting to get some results. I am sure it will take a while for this to start filtering through to become visible on street but we will keep working at it.
As I have indicated previously to Semtex when he has offered his services, I am more than happy to meet with him and to listen to his views. He may have sensible suggestions that we might be able to incorporate. I have also arranged for a senior police officer to make himself available as well and both of us are willing to share some of the tactics that are used which I am sure will surprise and satisfy Semtex that we aren’t all incompetent. This offer has been open since October last year and will remain open however as none of us know who Semtex is the ball is very much in his court to get in touch.
One of the key challenges that the team have faced for many years is the lack of access to real time information. There isn’t a suitable IT system in place which makes the role of the compliance officers very difficult as everything is currently paper based. This was the first area I was tasked with looking at when I joined the team. I am pleased to say that we have made some good progress with this and we anticipate being able to implement a new IT system sometime in 2013 which will revolutionalise the way in which we work.
For example, as licensed taxi drivers you will be able to renew and track the progress of this renewal on-line. This will bring a great many benefits to all licensees. However, the biggest benefits will be for the compliance team and indeed the police. They will have up to date, real time access to information whilst out on street. This will be via hand held terminals which will allow them to check the status of a driver there and then. This will allow the team to take more immediate action whilst out on street.
I hope this helps. I won’t be responding on the forum to anymore posts so if you do have any concerns / questions or comments regarding this or indeed anything else then please feel free to email me – helenchapman@tfl.gov.uk or indeed John Mason is always happy to hear from you – johnmason@tfl.gov.uk.
Kind regards
Helen
SEMTEX REPLIES:
n your report you quote :
These officers have the powers of arrest and are tasked with tackling touting by unlicensed and licensed drivers. Since the cab enforcement unit came into existence in 2003, over 7,700 arrests have been made for touting offences. In the most recent STaN campaign, which ran from September to December 2011, some 300 arrests were made.
These are deplorable figures Helen
They average out to something like 18 arrests a week over 8 years.
Furthermore, these are merely arrests. Did they end up in a magistrates court?
Were they punished with the weight of the laws provided for such offences?
I could arrest 7,700 touts for these offences in 6 weeks, not 8 years.
The high visibility checks and tactics that both your team and the police are adopting, are simply not preventing, deterring or indeed concerning the touts Helen.
So despite the inteligence, despite the remit, despite the police back up, despite the high visibility patrols, despite the checks, despite the revocations, despite the increase in your team...................The result is getting worse and worse and worse !
What are you going to do Helen? What is the bottom line?
Our trade is getting murdered out there. Night after night after night.
Who can we complain to? Once agin, and in typical Civil Service fashion, there are too many people passing the responsibility around to each other.
Would you like me and a dedicated team to show you how it's done efficiently?
If you had mice in your home Helen, you would probably contact a professional pest control company to get rid of them.
If after paying them for 8 years and you still had the mice, would you be happy to continue paying?
If the managing directyor of the pest control firm held two dead mice up to you and said he was doing a good job of catching them, despite the 70,000 mice still running round your kitchen, I hope you would kick him up the arse without further payment. You would be entitled to !
Having dedicated teams means nothing Helen, unless they are dedicated to doing the job.
Whoever between your office, TFL and the police is responsible, the fact is......you are like the pest control company above...........USELESS.
I firmly believe that some of your units up there are drawing salaries under false pretences, and are draining the tax payers purse in a piss taking fashion.
My offer still stands. Give me a hand picked team of police officers, 6 months and the correct resources, and I will clear London's streets of illegal touting by 99% or forfeit my salary.
Many thanks for your reply Helen and I understand that you are unable to reply or get into a full blown forum debate on this subject.
I like you, I respect you, admire your dedication, but the situation simply cannot continue like this.
London Cab drivers are fed up with being robbed blind night after night, and unless this problem is tackled by a specialist unit with some bite, there will be anarchy on our streets.
Take care Helen. Many thanks for your time and kindest regards.
You have my email should you wish to take me up on my offer.
Incidentally Helen,
My reasons for body swerving your invitation to go out with you and a senior Police Officer were because I couldn't see how my trade could benefit.
We all know where the touts are. We all know how they operate. They are so confident, that they are hardly difficult to either spot or catch.
I can guarantee that you would have been touted yourself out at night in London.
I have no need to see what you are doing, as I will only offend and tell you that it's being done wrong.
So, in a nutshell, it is pointless me taking you to the touts, as they are not hiding, and pointless you showing me what you are doing, as it isn't working.
We both know each other's side !
Give me the offer to start working to dispel the problem, and I will meet you like a shot !
Take care Helen. Best regards, and once again, thankyou for your time and concern.
Steve. 8829.
EDITORIAL COMMENT:
Touting is not associated with Plying for Hire, The law regarding touting appears to be in the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 Sec 167 "Touting for hire car services."
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