Taxi Drivers Archive Page
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| Taxi Gallery | Drivers Page Archives 99 | ||
The FIRST WEDGE. (/12/99)
Broad Quay meeting....Lloyds. (22/12/99)
Link to
The Broad Quay Report .
My Opinion of Broad Quay Report. (18/12/99)
Badger line and the Traffic Commission Fine. (12/12/99)
Link to
Enforcement Team Report .
Divided We Fall . Broad Quay Access.
Update & E-Mail
Wheelchair taxis.
Why do we have to buy one.
Buses On a level playing field.
Women only Taxis.
I just wonder if the council has the building earmarked for another wine bar.
(1)
The first thing that strikes me is the name of the man making the report
and the recommendations, Roger Payne.
I thought that the major part of Rogers job was to do with bus operations.
I therefor find it strange that someone who works closely with the bus
operator, should be the person to present a case that would prejudice
the working conditions of a competitor to that bus operator.I am not
implying that Roger would do anything that is incorrect. But his veue
of transport is from that of bus operations. I consider this report to
be biased against taxis.
(2)
This report is presented to
the committee in such a way as to make it unworkable and over complex.
So guaranteeing rejection of the inclusion of taxis in to Broad Quay.
(3)
The report makes the assumption that
all disabled people use London type vehicles. They don't. Some disabled
people can not get into these so called purpose built vehicles.
It is not compulsory for disabled people to use these vehicles. Yet.
(4)
There is no mention of the elderly who may want access.
There are more elderly
people using taxis who are unable to use the London type vehicle than
there are disabled who are compelled to use this vehicle.
Its no good telling these people to get on your bike because some of
them can just about manage a zimmer.
(5)
The report makes a half hearted case for the staff of the Sedan Chair.
What about the other staff on the block, that might have to work late.
If the management of the Sedan Chair change taxi companies, will all the
drivers for that company have to get a note from the council to prove
that he can enter that zone and will the council make sure that all of
the old notes have been returned. The report states {11}that the only taxis
able to pick staff up from the Sedan Chair should have to be wheelchair
accessible vehicles. So any operator with a mixed fleet may, at times,
find it impossible to carry out a contract with this pub.
(6)
Through out the report it says that it would be
"necessary to consult with bus operators". Why ?. It's nothing to do with
First Bus they don't own the streets. They might think they do,
but they don't. They don't ask me when they want to move a bus stop.
I am sick and fed up with this council going cap in hand to First Bus.
As for asking the bus company for comment on how taxis should
operated, goes beyond belief. Why ask a company that receives millions of
pounds in subsidies and still cant run their operation to the satisfaction
of the public or the traffic commission.
To sum up, this report has more holes than a paper doily.
It does not tackle the main issue and that is, Taxis are a major part of
the transport system of this city. To disadvantage one part of that
system in favour of a competitor is wrong. It is morally wrong and may
even be legally wrong. I think we should start looking at the law on
restrictive practice.
ALL taxis should have access to Broad Quay not
just for setting down a disabled persons but as part of the transport
infrastructure.
Councilors keep saying they will not put their idiot schemes in place
until the public have transport alternatives. WE ARE ONE OF THOSE
ALTERNATIVES.
I do not represent the trade and this is purely my personal view. If I did, I think that the above points should be considered.
Drive.
PS I will make the report available on line as soon as I can.
I look forward to your comments.
I hope that a member of the committee gets sight of this page.
I think that the council have ignored how important taxis are to the total transport system of this city. The quicker they realise what a major part of that system we are the better it will be for the traveling public.
It would appear that certain factions of the trade are negotiating access to Broad Quay for wheelchair accessible vehicles only.
In my opinion this is totally wrong. This is a move that will split the trade into even smaller groups. It will confuse the taxi riding public and will result in having differing fares for reaching the same destination from the same rank.
Broad Quay must be accessible to ALL taxis at all times. We are a major part of the transport system of Bristol and it's about time the city council recognised us as such. I'm fed up with playing second fiddle to first bus when it comes to transport policy. We get no preferential treatment,we get no subsidies, we run 24hr a day 365 day's of the year, we are told what we can charge for our services and we are told what vehicles we have to buy to provide that service. What other industry operates under those conditions. I can not think of one.
Update
E-Mail from Ian Johnstone
I have had a e-mail from Ian Johnstone(ABCD) explaining his position on the
Broad Quay issue. So that Ian can get a fair hearing I have decidid to print
the whole of the E-Mail on a letters page.
Link to
The Letters Page .
Why are we not demanding their resignations.
They could not organize a leaving party at Courages.
Is this part of the hidden agenda to make drivers pay a tax to come into the city.
More on City Centre Page .
Who wants them?. The elderly , the people who are disabled but not wheelchair bound, the arthritic who cant get in them or the politicians and councilors wanting to look politically correct.
This piece of legislation will seriously affect the mobility of the elderly and infirmed. The average age of our population is getting older and consequentially will not be as agile. This legislation will be discriminating against more and more of our population as time goes on. Our present customers who may be old or not very nimble, infirmed or arthritic will not be able to use Taxi because they can not get into them.
If the councils response to this is let them use private hire cars. They will be putting the people who are most vulnerable in a position where things are not as they should be!. They will not be able to travel in a taxi with a tarrif that is fixed and a meter that is checked by the city council.
This is a policy that started out with good intentions but has gone astray.
It's nice to know that we all do business on a level playing field, isn't it.
Well this playing field is on the side of a mountain and I'm not on the up side. As well as the council giving First Bus our community charge money, the government gives them FTR (Fuel Tax Rebate) this is a rebate of part of the revenue that we pay on our fuel. The last I heard the tax on fuel was about 80%. I have not found out how much the FTR is yet, but I will.
Then of course VAT, the VAT will be reclaimed, and by the time you work it all out I expect they get fuel for 2p a bucket.
To round it off, there is the councils attitude to First Bus. They appear to afraid of them, bending over backwards to keep them happy. In a recent meeting when we asked for some change to the centre, we were told, the bus company wont like that. Who's city is this?. I begin to wonder.
I have been informed by officers at the city council that the subsidies given by the city, are to provide services before 7am and after 7.30 pm plus 90% of Sunday services. Do you think that this might be our next move, stop operating evening, morning and Sunday until the council give us a huge amount of money?. Fat chance.
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Is this, what is inside those speed camera boxes?. |
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If I was gay, could I work part time ?.
This company was set up with the help of The Prince's Trust, BRAVE and BEDF. I will try to find out if any public money was contributed to the funds of a company that is in direct competition to Bristol taxis. All the hype that has been focused on this launch has given the impression that women are not safe in a taxi driven by a Bristol taxi driver. I find that insulting to me and to taxi driver as a whole.
UPDATE.
I have made inquiries as to the BEDF involvement in this venture.
The Bristol Enterprise Development Fund are a fund set up with Lloyds
to help small business. The assistance provided by this fund was in
the form of a loan and not a hand out.
I have also been assured that loan facilities are available to other
taxi drivers ( at low rates ).
BEDF will be sending me literature.
I do not know if Charles put a few bob in the pot.
Drivers have mentioned to me that the
A class merc, looked small. So I checked.
I have been assured by the HC dept, that this vehicle met all the standard
requirements.
Do you know who your councillor is. Check this page to make sure.
List of Councilors names and Political party.
