Dear Editor...
In Octoberʼs issue you put an ʻAppeal for a witnessʼ ad regarding passengers
throwing up in the back of my cab, losing me a nightʼs work. The incident
Locally
happened on 12 August 2009 at the junction of Southampton Road and
Mansfi eld Road NW3. They paid the £11.80 fare but no spoilage charge
Great rates in the following postcodes….
prompting an argument, resulting in me being accused of common assault.
However, on Monday 1st February 2010 I went to court for the third time to be
PR, CW, CH, LL, SK, WA
found ʻNot Guiltyʼ. I want to say thank you for your support. Thank god I had
a witness because the Metropolitan Police were no help! They believed two
drunken people who sicked in my cab and said I beat them both. I could have lost
Ring us today on
my bill and badge because of the word of two drunken scum! Once again thanks.
0800 142 2832
Steve Donovan
London Taxi Driver
Let us beat your rate and provide that all important local service.
Badge Number 64842
Or submit your details on line at www.insuretaxi.com
Dear Editor...
You may have already heard that one of our colleagues was assaulted outside
Abacus in Cornhill by a minicab tout in the early hours of Friday 5th Feb 2010. I
am sure that we all agree that this attack is a step too far.
why not visit
Many drivers have been involved in the ʻTake the Work Backʼ campaigns at
Zuma and Nobu. Although we all know the touting continues inside these
premises, on the whole, our efforts have made a big difference to the amount of our new look
quality work we are getting from there.
We are now proposing that the London Licensed Taxi trade pay particular
attention to Abacus. This is to show the touts that operate here that an assault
website at
on a taxi driver going about his legal business is way beyond acceptable.
The time has come to stop the public being harassed and intimidated in Cornhill
www.taxitalk.co.uk?
and ensure that they always have a choice when leaving Abacus; either hire a
trained, CRB checked driver with a purpose built vehicle and a meter or hire a
Sat-Nav merchant who will charge whatever he can get away with.
We think it is important to stress that all we are proposing is to ensure the public
have an opportunity to take a Licensed Taxi for their journey home from Abacus.
Why not try calling in there in the near future? Even if it looks busy please
consider ʻhanging upʼ for a few minutes to increase our presence. Punters will
never use a tout before us if they have a choice. If the customers know there will
be a Licensed Taxi outside when they leave they will not be tempted to use either
the Abacus “car service” inside or the increasingly aggressive touts outside.
We know, in the short term, it may cost us all a couple of quid. However, in
the long term, given we will take the work back from here; there is everything
to gain for both us and the public. Whether you are on a rank, twittering or
perhaps on a DaC terminal, please let as many other drivers know about the
assault and this proposal.
It is obvious that the authorities donʼt have the will, resources or the powers to
sort out this problem out. The simple option for us is to give in and allow the
touts to continue to believe that this is their work. Alternatively, we can stand
together and take our work back from people who have no respect for the law
or the history and tradition of our trade.
If you are coming back from a job in the east then look in at Abacus. If you see a line
of Taxis ranking outside, please join the queue. There will also be regular organised
ʻhitsʼ in the near future, so watch this space. Alternatively check out details on the
Forum. We look forward to seeing you in Cornhill in the very near future
Be Lucky LTDF
PS: We believe the success at Nobu and Zuma has been due to the
professionalism of the drivers putting on there. Please continue this tried and
tested formula and always remember to protect yourself and your badge.
Donʼt get out of your taxi or get involved in any ʻverbalsʼ with the touts, we all
know that they have little to lose.Be fully aware of the devious tactics they
will use to protect their “rights”.Remember that if you are asked to move on
by either an Enforcement Offi cer or the Police then please do so (drive round
the block) immediately. A City of London Policeman recently told me that they
are sick of these touts but are powerless to do anything about it, so letʼs do
something about it ourselves, please put on there and starve them out.
Once again thank you.
www.londontaxiforum.co.uk
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