Letter From LTDA Member : Re Camden's Tottenham Court Road Taxi Exclusion

A document from Camden's Lawyers' to the LTDA re: Tottenham Court Road taxi exclusion, made grave reading. 

Camden did consider the inclusion of taxis in their redevelopment scheme, but research data showed taxis as the main cause of serious accidents in the area. When the findings were challenged, Camden produced evidence that they had exhausted all avenues and could not locate data that identified taxis from PH. 

So, as of now, we are considered the most dangerous vehicle on the road- because of THEM! 

Whether Camden wanted us or not isn't relevant, at least let us know the real reason

I cannot stress enough the importance of this. Years of TFL blurring the boundaries between taxis and PH; actively recruiting staff to big up so called similarities (as opposed to highlighting differences) has left the trade wide open to assault. 

We remain the only legitimate alternative to the minicab swamp that swills around us, and the public NEED to know that there is an option. 

First and foremost, we should to be recognised by officialdom for what we are, and that is;

THE SAFEST TRANSPORT CHOICE IN LONDON.

Editorial Comment :

So, for all the councillors, planners and consultants involved with and on behalf of Camden Borough Council.

This is a highly regulated, extremely safe, fully wheelchair accessible Licensed London Taxi....

                              And these are not.....

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Definitive Answer From The Department Of Transport Under Secretary On PH Number Cap.

Tom Brake, Shadow LD Spokesperson (Foreign Affairs), Liberal Democrat Chief Whip, Shadow LD Leader of the House of Commons

Asked the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to introduce a cap on the number of private hirevehicles operating in London

Andrew Jones, Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

Replied, "this Government does not intend to amend primary legislation to allow the number of private hire vehicles licensed in London or elsewhere to be restricted".

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Liquefied petroleum gas can help solve London's air quality crisis

Calor Gas' Head of Strategy and Corporate Affairs Paul Blacklock, writes that London cabs switching to LPG could significantly improve London's air quality and calls on London Mayoral candidates to embrace this option. 

The news that the nitrogen dioxide (NO2) hourly legal limit for all of 2016 was breached just eight days into the year is the reason I spoke to the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, last week during his LBC phone-in about his plans to clean up London’s transport.

London’s air quality is the biggest environmental threat facing the city this year. And it is an issue that will be central to the forthcoming Mayoral election.  

Transport for London have already done a lot of work on providing solutions for this issue - not least the introduction of hybrid electric taxis from 2018 which are an essential aspect to improving the quality of our air. But they are not the only solution and at an estimated £60k, could prove to be too expensive for many drivers.

Currently London’s cabbies can convert their polluting diesel taxis to LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) in return for a five year extension to their operating licence. 

TfL has indicated that the incentives for these conversions may stop in the near future, just as London’s air quality is reaching critical levels. 

A properly deployed plan to convert targeted sections of London’s taxi fleet to LPG will help clean up London more quickly and save cabbies’ money in the long run.

To help manage the immediate air quality crisis, there is a strong argument for TfL to extend their existing policy throughout 2016 and 2017 - allowing black cabs to convert to Euro 6 LPG autogas engines in return for a five year extension to their licence. All the emissions research points to immediate huge reductions in Nitrogen Dioxide and other harmful emissions, allowing TfL to deliver improved air quality over the next two years, before the implementation of the Ultra Low Emission Zone in 2018.

From 2018, politicians, policy makers and the industry will be encouraging black cabs to take advantage of TfL’s subsidy to convert to hybrid electric vehicles.

But the brutal reality is the subsidy for electric cabs will not cover all of the existing fleet, leaving a large number of cabbies to fully fund the electric solution themselves. 

And as things stand, TfL’s current plans mean that without the LPG conversion option many taxis will be allowed to continue running on diesel well beyond 2020.

Cabbies are working in an ever more competitive post-Uber market and many will feel they can no longer afford to continue working. 

In order to maintain the number of black cabs post 2018, TfL should also offer cabbies additional, more affordable options such as LPG to supplement the 9000+ electric cabs.

LPG is a much cleaner fuel than diesel and petrol and offers a solution which can be deployed now, without the need for subsidy, as cabbies will get a payback on their £8000 investment within 2 years - meaning cleaner air for London, in a shorter timeframe and for less money.

But separate from the reduction in emissions, London’s cabs will once again show the world they are leading the world in cleaner taxi technology, TfL will maintain fleet numbers, a competitive and fairer marketplace and also benefit from licence fee  income.

Other cities are already taking the lead.  The Labour controlled Birmingham City Council is supporting the conversion of its taxis from diesel to cleaner LPG, whilst in Japan, Toyota is launching its zero emission capable Black Cab, again on LPG, for just £16,000 from 2018.

It is easy for London to establish a way forward which would fully support the drive to hybrid electric taxis whilst at the same time drastically reducing the air quality emissions from the taxis remaining on London’s roads.

With London’s air quality being the biggest environmental risk for London this year these simple LPG solutions provide Boris an opportunity for a real environmental legacy for Londoners and for Zac Goldsmith and Sadiq Khan the opportunity to be seen to be leading on improving London’s air quality.

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THE "MAYFAIR MOB" TRIUMPH AGAIN, WORKING FOR THE TAXI TRADE.

 New Taxi Rank Markings In Wardour Street.

Last night, rank markings were repainted outside the old Floridita bar/restaurant, in preparation for its reopening as "100 Wardour Street".

The rank markings have been made clear enough, for us to easily move off any tout chancers. 

In addition, local wardens have agreed to ticket any vehicle other than a Taxi, seen parked or waiting at this site. 

Great team work again on behalf of the trade, by members of the Mayfair Mob, who have been working hard behind the scenes with both TfL and the council to complete this project ahead of schedule.

Please do not use this rank as free parking as it will be a working rank and is expected to be as busy as Novikov's Berkeley Street. 

If you see touts, parked up on our ranks, move them on and give it ten minutes. If there's touts there, then there's work there. 

Other rank triumphs for the Mayfair Mob, such as Hakkasan and Forge, have proved to be great assets in our fight to take the work back of the touts.

Other new ranks are currently under negotiation, but we need you to use them. 

Now the ball is in your court, use 'em or lose 'em.

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Canadian PM Announces Bill To Ban Uber.

Newly elected Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is taking a stand against Uber.

An internet poll, commissioned by Satov Consultants, a Toronto-based researcher and business advisory company mentioned Uber have covered 30% more rides than dispatched Taxi cabs in the major Canadian and American cities where both can be used. 

Since the introduction of Uber in Canada, new polls have revealed people are 56% less likely to use traditional taxis, but more important, they are 21% less likely to use public transport. This has put hundreds of thousands of licensed taxi drivers out of work across North America.

Prime Minister Trudeau made an announcement late Saturday evening in a press conference that a bill will be passed through the House of Commons that will be putting a halt to the service, promising to protect the integrity and commitment of traditional licensed Taxi drivers.

Mark Satov, founder of Satov Consultants, said “Uber is currently doing to the traditional taxi model what Expedia did to travel agents and what Amazon did to the vast majority of bookstores. 

Uber has grown its market share faster than anything we’ve ever seen and completely destabilised incumbents.”

Traditional Licensed Taxi cab drivers everywhere from Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, even Edmonton and Niagara Falls have caused major disruption by protesting against Uber, and are now demanding Trudeau put and end to the service.

             ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

        Coming to an org near you, very soon.

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Letter To Editor : Uber Drivers Defecating In Residential Streets Around Heathrow.

I'm from Stanwell and before I start I just want to make it clear,  I have no interest in any war between Taxis and Private Hire.

This is purely about the parking, toileting, littering, abusive and physical intimidation, and so much more that is presently going on in Stanwell.

We the residents know why uber park here we aren't stupid. We also know they have no toilets or any other place to eat and such and we understand they are trying to make a living. However that does not make what they are doing right.

This weekend three news agency's ran story's of uber drivers acts in Stanwell, and yet just this morning I find myself chasing an uber driver from my garden.

Does nobody understand that bad press is a cancer for a company and yet the cancer is being caused by their own drivers.

Record these acts we are told, and what happens, drivers slap the phone out of your hand.

Do you think calling the police helps, the drivers just speed off.

We the residents can't just sit back and allow this to happen to us, my wife and child have had to experience so much and my dog has eaten God knows what. When you have 40 or more uber drivers in one street what does logic tell you is going to happen? 

Not a normal person in the world would say any of the above is right....

Last week an uber guy was defficating in my bush and another driver was going crazy at him. On Friday, I threw a guy from my garden and suddenly I was surrounded by 8 drivers, fortunately for me two passing drivers came and stood up for me with two more residents of course 5 against 8 is not as good as odds as 8 against 1, so the Uber guys backed down and drove off.

These are just a few examples for you, but what will happen if this keeps up? TFL will have to act as a lot of these things are crimes, people will not use uber because of what they read on the Internet and they will wonder what kind of driver they will get, and drivers will be more stressed because of the constant war with residents.

People need to wise up, as to what's going on!

If you need the toilets go to Tesco its 24hours as are three petrol stations within 2 miles not to mention the Mc Donald's restaurant.

Uber have told us they will adjust their app map so no pings will work in Stanwell. God knows why the police and Uber's licensing authority (TfL) are allowing this God only knows.

I think the vast majority of uber drivers just don't care about anything but themselves. The only thing that brings a smile to my face is when I see somebody sat there for three hours before they get a job, I wonder to myself how much money can be made like that if any.....

I reckon my house has dropped 10 grand in price because it's currently being used as a toilet.

Anyway as always, I'll look foreword to another several battles when I get home tonight and my wife can look forward to picking up shit and washing the garden so our child and dog can play in it.

Stanwell resident. 

Editorial Comment:

It must be terrible to have to go through this every day and night. We know the police and TfL are turning a blind eye to what's happening with these parked up Uber cars around Heathrow. 

However, this whole situation is being staged to gain as much bad publicity as possible. As you say, this was all over the media at the weekend and surprisingly, carried by outlets who normally won't have a bad word said about Uber.

It's being stage managed in a bid to embarrass the airport authority to provide Uber with similar facilities to the Taxi trade...feeder park, canteen and toilet amenities.

Going on the way TfL and the Met have shown no desire to go up against this multi-billion dollar company in the past, they are gambling that they will get away with this, coming up against little or no resistance.

To be honest, I don't think you will have to put up with this much longer, as I have recently received an email from a very good source, informing me that Uber are meeting with the airport authority regarding a bookings desk to be set up in Terminal3, along the line of the ones we saw last year at music festivals. A feeder park and facilities will soon follow.

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My Taxi Trade Experience.....by Frances Luczyc Wyhowska

It is eighteen months since I took my first tentative steps into the world of the black cab trade:  I made a call to Nick Ferrari on LBC in support of the 2014 taxi demo.  Little did I know what the next year and a half would hold in store for me.

 

During these intervening months I have tried to campaign for the trade in any way that I can, whether that is by writing articles in the trade press, hassling MPs and councils, turning up to demos or handing out leaflets on ranks.  I have observed personally the duplicity of politicians at all levels, the ineptitude of the so-called regulators at TfL and the crass behaviour of the media when it falls prey to the power of cash-rich lobbyists and vested interests.

 

But it is not all doom and gloom.  

I have been astonished by the determination and resilience of the London black cab drivers.  They, after all, are the people who are at the coalface and see day to day exactly what is going on.  They are the people who justifiably guard their Green Badge achievement jealously against the infidels’ attacks.  They are the people who take such care with the disabled, mothers with small children, the military and the elderly.

 

And this is not the half of it.  Drivers have realized through the outstanding example of the Mayfair Mob that they can empower themselves to fight back and keep their position as the world’s gold standard.  They can and do embrace new technology and have adapted it to their world rather than letting the trade be subservient to the technology itself.  New apps, Twitter, smartphones, credit cards:  all these devices can be made to boost, rather than impair, the trade.

 

The other impressive discovery I have made is the extraordinary humanity of the drivers.  I have never before come across so many selflessly generous individuals.  I am proud to have become a Vice-President of the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans, and have seen at first hand the level of giving that epitomizes this trade.  Add to that all the work done through the Poppy Cabs, the Albany Taxi Charity among many others, and the collections for a wide variety of causes that take place on a regular basis at Heathrow.  All this takes place at a time when the trade has suffered some serious financial knocks.  This goes beyond duty – it is something precious and exceptional.

 

I am also very proud to have made some wonderful friends in the last eighteen months.  

Drivers often ask me why I have become involved.  The answer is simple:  it is the drivers themselves that have won my unswerving loyalty.  I truly hope that every one of you will have a better 2016.

Frances Luczyc Wyhowska

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