The Cockney Scouser’s
at it again
The Berk with a Merc for werk who’s gone a bit berserk!!!
Through the millennia, the Taxi Drivers trade organisation, the LCDC has taken some Toyota vehicles - many of which are
of this once great metropolis led a life to employ security guards to protect both licensed as London private hire vehicles – the
of ordered calm, protected against all drivers and the public from several late night
concerns relate to accelerator problems
threats from lesser civilisations known venues. We in this trade totally applaud this
especially in cold weather. I believe a PCO
as Minicabs by their great power of the action and please god, no cabbie will again
press release regarding the situation with the
Knowledge and the purpose built taxicab. be injured and, of course, the same goes for
faulty Toyota vehicles is published on page 42.
But this was to change. Suddenly, and the security guards. This is London, not some
terribly, the Taxi Drivers faced the most backward third world city, yet you really canʼt
Finally, I must put out a warning. As we all
dangerous crisis in their long history... tell the difference at times I can assure you…
know, we are in a dreadful recession and
Londonʼs Public Carriage Offi ce was
starting to side with these minicabs and it
people including us cabbies are often at a
Some six months ago, the PCO in London
was not good… employed a new boss called John Mason. I
loss for cash. In a recent copy of a London
have met John and he is a lovely guy, but…
trade rag (more leavers than the rest put
Up and down the UK, the same situation Mr Mason has said that he would not tolerate
together) an advert appeared offering instant
is happening with minicabs. However, I will this touting and abusive behaviour and any
cash loans. All the cabbie has to do is hand
speak for the capital city though. Londonʼs tout, clipboard Johnny and/ or satellite offi ce
over his or her cabʼs log book as security
80,000 plus Private Hire, locally known found to be breaking the law would suffer a
on the loan and then just sign on the dotted
as ʻminicab driversʼ are only allowed to one strike and your out policy. Yet every day,
line... simples! Of course, this is like any
carry customers who have pre-booked, but John, you are being sent photographs and
other loan and if you are stupid enough or
countless thousands of rogue elements videos are being posted of the type of thing tempted to apply please read the small print
infi ltrating that particular trade are breaking going on and yet nothing is being done? The fi rst as the APR is an earth shattering 378%;
the rules by ʻtoutingʼ constantly on the streets time has surely come to stop the public being yes thatʼs correct, 378%! I canʼt even work
of London. To make matters worse, the harassed and intimidated and to ensure that
out the fi gures that you would have to pay
capital is also plagued by unlicensed and they always have a choice when leaving all
back if you took this loan out as Iʼm not that
uninsured minicabs who are often linked to these various premises - either hire a trained,
clever. However, it goes without saying if you
other crimes, such as drugs, gun running CRB checked driver with a purpose built safe
did commit and sign on the dotted line and
and various motoring offences. Incredibly, vehicle and a meter or hire a sat nav cowboy
sadly you fi nd that you can no longer afford
the last available yearly fi gures show that who will charge whatever he can get away
the monthly repayments, they will obviously
just 400 Licensed Taxi Drivers passed their with and do whatever he can get away with
keep your cab and you will still be liable for
Knowledge and therefore became available as well… If you readers think that somehow
to ply for hire legitimately…in that same year I am exaggerating this horrendous problem
any negative equity. If the APR is correct
16,000 people got themselves a car and a then sign up for free to the following forum:
and not a misprint, then this is a disgrace. I
satnav and became minicab drivers! London http://londontaxiforum.co.uk
hope to never see an advert of similar in this
is infested with them and also with rickshaws
magazine, in actual fact I know that will never
and god knows how many thousands there This sounds like I am having a pop at the
happen. In any case taxi talk has a strict
are of those death-traps! And they continue PCO and I suppose in a sense I am, but
policy regarding such issues.
to tout to all and sundry. Every evening something else has really disappointed
outside the clubs and restaurants, on the me and many others in the trade recently.
On a lighter note, in this very issue you
pavements, contra to PCO and TfL directives, Back in September 2008, approximately 15 will have read of the wonderful London
stand the clipboard Johnnies in their High engine fi res in a period of the previous three Taxidriversʼ Fund for Underprivileged
Visibility offi cial looking jackets talking to months forced a recall of the TX4. A very Children annual Tea Party at the Grosvenor
their drivers and soliciting every person, limited number of vehicles were affected
House Hotel in London at the end of January.
male and especially female, who leaves and the PCO required that all models with a
It really was a fantastic event yet again and
these premises or even just walks past! 56 registration plate had to undergo safety
now we move onto our other annual events.
This is without question a walking advert checks otherwise drivers would lose their
This means as the Sponsorship Offi cer, I will
for minicabs, which in itself then constitutes Hackney Carriage licence. These 56 plated
soon be writing to all the companies involved
touting by advertising and offering a service cabs were off the road for two months and
within the taxi trade and hotels etc to help us
on the pavement. You canʼt move at night even longer in some cases and indeed,
to help the children. Please try to help once
because these minicabs are everywhere over the following six months or so, every
again this year; any donation will be gratefully
picking up from where ever they like even off TX4 was recalled to have a modifi cation
the brand new licensed taxi ranks, condoned carried out. The safety of Londonʼs cab
received. Also, any drivers that wish to go on
by the Metropolitan Police. And why do the drivers and, of course, their passengers was
our outings please contact us on our website
traffi c wardens turn a blind eye? I think we understandably top priority even though there
below or through me and taxi talk Magazine.
know the answer to that one... were no injuries or fatalities as a result. But
in my opinion, the PCO has let the London
wwwthelondontaxidriverschildrenscharity.co.uk/
Many taxi drivers have been threatened Hackney Carriage trade down big time,
by minicab drivers countless times and why are there no ʻstopsʼ on the faulty Toyota
PS...You can also read my article on the
some of us have even been attacked and cars, surely the same criteria applies for all
Anderson Shelter.
received physical injuries, still the authorities PCO licensed vehicles whether Hackney or
http://theandersonshelter.blogspot.com/
donʼt seem to be doing anything about this Private Hire? Recently, in the national press Till next month Sheldon F Collins AKA The
shocking state of affairs. Recently, a London concerns have been highlighted regarding Cockney Scouser.
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