DON’T SIT ON THE FENCE


More people should involve themselves in this, because if there is one thing we suffer from as an industry, it is apathy! We are all so busy running our businesses and fighting local battles with local authorities, it’s so easy not to see the bigger picture, let alone to find the time to get involved.


Please spend a little time thinking about how legislation could be changed to make our industry better, and then go online and respond to the online survey regarding the PHRC proposals for legislative reform. Even though these are high level proposals, it might still take you quarter of an hour to read through the proposals and to answer the questions, but those 15 minutes might be the most important 15 minutes you could spend for the future of our industry.


The survey is accessible online at: https://tinyurl.com/PHRCsurvey


And if you want to get involved with the PHRC, please contact us at: phrc@post.com.


UBER vs SEFTON


Most recently there was the Uber v Sefton case and, despite the impact Uber winning would likely have on almost every operator’s business, only a few supported DELTA and Veezu to oppose it.


For those who do not already know it, Uber won! DELTA and Veezu have applied for permission to appeal to the Court of Appeal, which we must all hope will be granted, so that the decision might be overturned on appeal.


In the meantime, we should all give whatever support we can to DELTA and Veezu, because they are fighting our corner, for our survival!


In case the appeal is lost, a PHV industry-led coalition is campaigning for VAT on taxi and PH journeys to be zero rated, as it has always been for buses and trains. The campaign has prepared template letters you can send to your council and MP, to show PHO support for maintaining the no-VAT status on


PHTM OCTOBER 2023


PH journeys. The toolkit includes local authority and MP contacts details, so you don’t even need to search for those details yourself.


Let’s all do something to stand together for the good of our industry, and the drivers and passengers we serve, by using the toolkit.


The toolkit is available online at: https://tinyurl.com/3w2ue5c6


...and get those letters sent!


In the meantime, if your local authority imposes or seeks to impose a requirement that you, as operator, must contract as principal with the passenger, be aware that doing so will immediately change your business model for VAT purposes and that you will be required to charge VAT on fares, unless your turnover is below the VAT threshold.


SEEK ADVICE


Whatever you do, take professional advice. Star Cars retains A2Z Licensing and, should the need arise, we will not hesitate to resist through the courts any attempt by any of the local authorities by which we are licensed to oppose a premature attempt to force us to contract as principal with passengers.


But finding reliable partners is key. As is working together with like-minded people; people who understand the goals; people who want to always do better for drivers, for passengers, and for the industry.


The pandemic taught everyone a lesson - don’t take things for granted, don’t think the status quo is forever. Watch and learn from others, whether they are in this industry or another. Celebrate success and learn from challenges. Learn the art of pivot.


I’m so very grateful to the people I know and work with every day. They support me; I support them, and those friendships, those connections that all of us have, stand us all in a good place to make the future ours.


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