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Cabbies want limit on number of taxis to safeguard jobs (From Basildon Recorder)
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Cabbies want limit on number of taxis to safeguard jobs
6:00am Sunday 24th January 2010
FURIOUS taxi drivers claim Basildon Council has ignored pleas to safeguard their jobs.
Cabbies reacted angrily after the council rejected calls for a survey looking into whether there were too many drivers in the district.
They believe there is no longer sufficient trade for individual drivers to make a living and some are having to quit.
Drivers want a limit on the number of cabbies to be reinstated, after the council lifted the restriction on Government guidelines in 2005.
Councillors at the latest licensing meeting heard from drivers who wanted the survey to take place.
Alan Isley, of the Basildon Taxi Proprietors Association, said since the limit was lifted, the number of Hackney carriages had more than doubled, from 106, in 2005, to 250, in 2010.
He told the meeting: “The public are well satisfied with our service, but we are really concerned how bad it is getting out there.”
But David Abrahall, chairman of the licensing committee, said full scrutiny of the policy for taxi drivers was needed.
Councillors approved his motion for a review by a task group and the survey was put on hold.
Ben Williams, Lib Dem member for Nethermayne, opposed the review. Speaking after the meeting, he said changes were needed more quickly.
He added: “Some drivers are working more than 12 hours a day, seven days a week, just to pay their costs and keep a roof over their heads.
“That doesn’t make for a safe trade, but they have no choice as the business simply isn’t there.
“Taxi drivers and the public need real action now, not a group of councillors wringing their hands for months.”
Mr Williams went on to claim some drivers were not making minimum wages.
Cabbie Ralph Morgan, a member of the Unite union, said: “How can you carry out a review without evidence? If they had ordered a survey, they would have some evidence.”
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Your Say Your Basildon
taxiboy, westcliff-on-sea says...
7:25am Sun 24 Jan 10
Basildondude wrote:the council set the fares for taxis not the taxi companies
Its a dog eat dog world now, maybe now the taxi firms will bring prices down a bit???
shallotman, Basildon says...
11:31am Sun 24 Jan 10
shallotman, Basildon says...
11:31am Sun 24 Jan 10
shallotman, Basildon says...
11:31am Sun 24 Jan 10
shortybells, Thundersley says...
12:18pm Sun 24 Jan 10
taxiboy wrote:The council set the maximum amount for fares. There is nothing stopping the Taxi driver from charging less. The driver and passenger can agree a price for the journey without resorting to the meter.
Basildondude wrote:the council set the fares for taxis not the taxi companies
Its a dog eat dog world now, maybe now the taxi firms will bring prices down a bit???
Also the driver could agree to have fixed lower prices for shoppers during the day. 10% off vouchers etc.
Taxi drivers should remember they are business men and use market techniques to get business instead of lazily relying on the meter.
vhayleyv, southend on sea says...
1:11pm Sun 24 Jan 10
firedog, Southend-on-sea says...
5:18pm Sun 24 Jan 10
could earn earn more money,strange.
bumper, sorry its not my town or village says...
5:20pm Sun 24 Jan 10
they all started at one point?? it was ok for them but no one else to become a taxi driver.
some doing it now are just lazzy and no help if it means getting out of there warm seat. i seen one just yesterday get an old mans shopping out the boot he just put it on the road at the back of the car got in and drove off.
5 bags just sitting on the road not the path the road great help that one. if i was the man i would report
him .
i also think they should wear a uniform like anyone working with public some need a good wash never mind some clean cloths .
taxiboy, westcliff-on-sea says...
6:00pm Sun 24 Jan 10
bumper wrote:anyone has a chance ,They can drive a private hire car if there is a limit on hackney carriages only difference is they can not use taxi ranks or be flagged down.
anyone should have a chance if they like who gives you the right to say no more . they all started at one point?? it was ok for them but no one else to become a taxi driver. some doing it now are just lazzy and no help if it means getting out of there warm seat. i seen one just yesterday get an old mans shopping out the boot he just put it on the road at the back of the car got in and drove off. 5 bags just sitting on the road not the path the road great help that one. if i was the man i would report him . i also think they should wear a uniform like anyone working with public some need a good wash never mind some clean cloths .
munx, essex says...
11:25pm Mon 25 Jan 10
And quess what??
The b******s are back parking on the mini roundabout making it hell to drive round.
No doubt will will have to call the police to sort them out again!
Drivers who want the limit on the number of taxis reinstated
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Basildondude, basildon says...
6:50am Sun 24 Jan 10