More Written Answers To Caroline Pidgeon's Questions, From Mayor Khan.

Mayor Khan Answers Question On The Publication Of Taxi And Private Hire Related Sexual Offences.

Crash Sparks Warning Over 'Out-Of-Town' Minicabs Touting For Business At City Ranks

BLACK cab drivers have warned revellers to steer clear of ‘out-of-town’ taxis over the Christmas period after an incident which left a driver in hospital.

A cabbie was taken to the John Radcliffe hospital on Sunday morning after a collision involving three vehicles at the taxi rank at Oxford Railway station.

None of the vehicles were Hackney carriage licensed by Oxford City Council and therefore should not have been waiting at the rank in the first place.

Eyewitness and licensed Oxford hackney carriage driver Darran Beal said: “One of our licensed drivers walked over to  to speak to the drivers as they shouldn’t be there.

“Suddenly there was a large bang, Darrran was hit and was taken to hospital in an ambulance.

He added: “It’s getting out of hand, when I go to work on Fridays and Saturdays there are more out of town taxis compared to Oxford City Council licensed cabs.

“They are always outside the bars and clubs waiting to pick people up.”

Great Western Railway - which runs the station - confirmed the crash took place at its customer drop-off point and British Transport Police said it was investigating the circumstances of the collision just before 8.30am.

Under Oxford City Council licensing rules, only Hackney Carriage vehicles licensed by Oxford City Council can pick up from the city’s ranks and carry passengers without a booking.

Sajad Khan, secretary of the City of Oxford Licensed Taxicab Association - which represents drivers of 107 black cabs in the city - said cars were coming from as far as Birmingham.

He said: “Thousands of revellers are set to be out and about in Oxford during Christmas and especially New Year’s Eve.

“Passengers must be aware of the illegal touting that’s going on and reminded that the Private Hire vehicle or taxis licensed outside of Oxford are not allowed to pick up passengers if hailed.

“If they do they will be doing it illegally which makes their insurance invalid.”

Those licensed by Oxford City Council provides passengers with insurance cover against accidents, but vehicles licensed outside the city only cover customers with bookings.

- Private Hire vehicles and Hackney Carriages not licensed by Oxford City Council cannot access the city’s 13 taxi ranks.

Taxi marshals are hired by Oxford City Council to reduce ‘illegal pick ups’ and ‘touting for business’ by taxis not licensed to take passengers.

Every driver pulling up at a rank must show their badge to identify they are licensed by Oxford City Council.

Uber have been refused a licence to work in this area, on the grounds that Oxford have a cap on the number of Taxis and private hire licenses issued by the City Council. This hasn't stopped Uber drivers many registered with TfL in London, from driving out to Oxford at he weekends, where there is a large student population. 

Tony Dwyer a licensed Oxford driver said: 

"At the weekend, it's a free for all, just like the Wild West. You can spot these Ubers from London by their TfL green roundels,  many of these drivers are very aggressive".

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Can I Have Chips This Time ? ...............By Semtex.

I've got four wonderful adult children. They have grown into fantastic citizens, all with excellent jobs, and dare I say it, two of them are Senior Civil Servants. One son one daughter, and one of them extremely senior. My wife and myself are very proud of them. They are fully aware of my opinion on Senior Civil Servants, and have promised not to be like the ones I dislike.

Both of my sons came down to see me earlier this week, and know only too well, that my favourite meal of all.......is breakfast. "We've come down to take you to an award winning special breakfast place Pops, and if you don't see a breakfast that you like in this gaff, then your'e just being a Diva !."

We jump into my youngest sons brand new Range Rover, and I'm sitting in the back being chauffeured to breakfast as if I were Michael Jackson. 

We arrived at this cafe supremo joint and I could immediately see that this was no ordinary greasy spoon. The car park was rammed, and you had to book as well for Christ sake !

We were shown to our table and asked to choose from this massive overhead breakfast menu. It was monolithic. A huge menu.

I'm looking down the Doomsday book of lorry drivers Utopia which started at "A", and eventually tailed off to "X" or something I think. The thing was, it was a selection of breakfasts that were set. So if you asked for Breakfast "S", you got EXACTLY what was on the Breakfast "S" menu. Nothing more, nothing less. Aware that my apparent Diva persona was being tested by my two strapping sons, I studied the breakfast menu from heaven with surgical precision. Just when I thought I had the perfect breakfast, there was something on the list that I didn't like or would rather have swapped. I looked again, and the same thing happened. I took another look. 

Just when I thought I had cracked it, I was gutted to see it was backed up with chips or fresh tomatoes instead of tinned. I found one with tinned tomatoes, no chips, but mushrooms, which was great, but then they ruined it with beans. Back to square one. As many choices as there were, and despite the huge range, they just didn't have the perfect one. They had everything I liked.............but not in the set choice that they had set out.

The young lady came to our table to take our order. My two boy's requested their choices. One had the "H" breakfast, the other had the "D" option. As she asked for my order, I said " I'd like the "M" breakfast please, but do you think you could possibly swap the bacon for a sausage?"

Mate, you would have thought that I had just asked the girl what sort of underwear she had on !!

Do you know when you're watching a murder movie or a horror film and just before the murderer plunges the blade into the victim's head they slow the film speed down to concentrate on the assailant's mad eyes ? That look of hatred, wrath, imminent execution and blood lust ? Well, that is how the waitress's contorted face looked like. Not only that, the two nearest tables heard my request and must have been regulars, because their jaws stopped in the position they were last in as they gazed in amazement at first me and then the waitress. It was as though I had just told her that I was the abusive father that abandoned her at six hours old, hitting her mother with a hot seedy loaf from the oven and pissing over the cat before I left ! My two boys just stared at the menu and denied all eye contact with me. Jesus!

The thing is, I know what I like. I know what is best for my belly, and I know what pleases me.   All of the breakfast's were good of course, but even with that vast choice, there was either something on the plate that I didn't like, or didn't want and would rather have changed for something else. I honestly wasn't being a diva. I just knew what I wanted. 

As you can imagine, I didn't want to embarrass my sons further or risk an axe sticking from the side of my head on the way out, so just put up with the nearest version they had for my liking, and enjoyed it very much. I'm not a great fan of chips with my breakfast, but ate them even if I would rather of had mushrooms.

I have a great interest in human psychology. The way in which people's brains work gives me never ending curiosity. I often resort to studying my own to give my interest a kick start. So what I had just experienced in the Breakfast Cafe, made me think of something in particular. Something more closer to my heart, than the cholesterol from the bacon!

In our precarious professional positions of London Cab Drivers, and by virtue of the nature of the beast, Trade Representation is important. You never know what's around the corner and a jumped red light, awkward fare paying passenger or the wrath of a Compliance Officer, could lead any of us seeking the professional assistance of support, via our trade organisation or body.

Many of our colleagues will know that although I have been a member of every trade org out there, I have been a member of nothing for some time now. Make no bones about it, I am not advocating this risky decision at all, indeed, I think it is rather hazardous, and potentially suicidal.

But the reason I have found myself in this unenviable position, is extremely similar to the position I found myself in the cafe. There are ample trade orgs out there offering professional representation, but none of them with EXACTLY what I want. Some have most of what I want, some have a little of what I want, and one in particular has nothing that I want. But that is not to say I am not willing to try joining one. The thing is though I want to have a good, sound representation, if I do so.

By nature, I am a very pro-active union member. I get involved in stuff. I want to be on the front line. I enjoy the skirmish with the bad guys and would like to think that I am a valued member. On the same token though, I expect a lot in return. The biggest flaw in my London Cab Trade career though is, that I am really lacking in patience, and personal experience in democracy. I understand the hurdles and problems in the way of union matters of course, but when the red flag is hoisted and we are in imminent danger of attack, then a formidable challenge is the very least I would expect our lot to deploy. And I don't just expect to sit back and expect to have success brought to me either. 

I don't mind rolling my sleeves up. In fact, I enjoy it. The main thing for me though....is immediate, viable member protection. I know deployments or challenges have to be agreed and spoken about, but when they start drifting into weeks and weeks of dialogue, meetings, votes and democracy whilst our trousers are being pulled down round our ankles, I get the right hump.

A few years ago, I found myself in some piping hot water by my own stupidity, and learnt a very valuable lesson. It was at the time that John Mason had briefed a team of Compliance Officers and sent them on to the streets to do their "work". I parked up in St Martins Lane one night and watched them. At the time, I was a member of the London Taxi Drivers Forum and aired my views with absolutely no doubt as to what I thought. 

I told them clearly that they were totally useless, inept, unqualified and disgraceful. With my professional experience I was confident that I could have done better, and challenged Mason's team and offered the Police Operational Commander my target rate success history as better than anything they had out there.. On my own back, I phoned Helen Chapman  and told her about my concern. To give her her due, she agreed to meet me. For my own benefit, I was accompanied by a very hard punching trade stalwart of us all, who is working towards our betterment even as I type. I trusted this man with my life and still do. He is a credit to our cab trade. I didn't want to turn up at the meeting alone for many reasons, so arranged the meeting for the two of us to go.

So me and him meet up at the arranged venue, and Helen Chapman duly arrived.

During all the time we were there, and to give her due, Helen answered our questions with courtesy, honesty and professionalism and took my concerns back to the Operational Police Unit. I told Helen that I thought I could do a better job, so she informed the Police Commander responsible, and I was duly invited to go out with the team, to see what they did, and how I thought I could demonstrate that I knew better.

I looked forward to this quest and knew I had a fair argument. AND THEN IT HIT THE FAN !!! BIG STYLE !!!

I had our Trade Orgs coming back to me asking who the hell did I think I was. Who gave me the right to speak for the trade. What right did I have in putting myself up for such a brief, and even daring to approach Helen Chapman to discuss anything at all at any time !

I had drivers saying that I didn't speak for them and keep my big nose and big mouth out of it. I was accused of being a busy body nobody and to wind my neck in.

I thought about it for a while and had to admit....................they were right ! 

I could see their point clearly, and to be honest, was surprised how naive I was thinking it would go well at all. This was a Trade Org brief out and out, no question, and I had trod on their toes with undue and probably uncalled for disrespect.

I did make a full and immediate apology to the orgs and my mates, and cancelled the imminent police meeting.

I had learned a huge lesson that day. You will have known my writings to often criticise my own misunderstanding of democracy ? Well this was a good example of how I fell foul. In the cab trade it is seen as glory hunting, in the army it is seen as good example. I wasn't use to the democratic voting way, only the military way but had to learn the union way fast. In the army I was a good example, in the cab trade I was a busy body. I took it on the chin, considered myself fair game and had to adapt overnight. My overenthusiastic wings had been clipped.

Last night, through Taxi Leaks, I replied to a post concerning our great ally and friend, Dave Davies. At the end of his reply, he offered to meet me and/or the remainder of the Trade Orgs to discuss launching a Trade Public Inquiry. I have my reservations about a Public Inquiry for reasons already stated. However, I would be more than happy to put any of my influence or assistance in one, if that is what the trade wants and feels would save us. However, and also for reasons already stated, I am unable to meet Dave Davies to talk about it with him. As much as I would love to, and as much as I would have done it like a shot in years gone by, I have no right to, so won't.  

My position in our great trade at present then, is one that has been privileged to me by the respected platform of Taxi Leaks and our staunch friend and Editor, Jim Thomas. And that is a position as a Trade Scribe, nothing more, nothing less. My position in our trade is to try to inspire my colleagues in arms to fight, unite and take custody of the world famous London Cab Trade through the Uber and TFL prolific attack, and out the other side to new pastures. I have no Union or Org rights nor blessing, and can only attempt to do that by my writings, previous professional skills and knowledge, camaraderie and moral support. I will of course, do everything that my small but worthwhile brief permits. You can trust me, and rely on me in full.

However, we don't need me to write about the blindingly obvious. Our trade is under persistent and heavy attack from every direction. A Public Inquiry may very well be just what the trade needs to save it. Dave Davies is no mug. He is a businessman, investor and our friend. He has offered to meet us. Is anyone going to ring him ? Has anyone already rang him ? Is there any possibility of launching an Inquiry real soon ? Is our trade about to go under or will it be saved ? I can only report what I see is happening folks, I am only a scribe. Surely something is going to be announced soon ? Isn't it ?

Here I go again, wanting it all at once ! That trade clock is ticking it's little cobblers out right now. What are we going to do ? Put our Christmas trees up and forget all about it ? I shall be supporting our UCG members out there in the New Year, but how much unity can they rely on from the rest of us ? We shall see.

And by the way..................................Can I have chips this time ?

Be lucky all.

8829 Semtex.

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Are Bus Drivers, Driving For Uber When They Finish Their Shift ?

Major incident last night outside the Royal Garden Hotel.

A bus, two ambulances, three Mobile paramedics vehicles and two police cars.

    Royal Garden Hotel, Kensington High Street.

                         Earlier this month:

     Lambeth Town Hall Brixton. 

     Chiswick High Road W4

     Uxbridge Road 

     Bus stakes out minicab in Seven Sisters Road

We also received reports of another major incident outside Waterloo last night, unfortunately we have no photos. 

Are TfL Buses being driven by Uber drivers ?

Uber cars have been seen by our drivers parked in and around bus garages on many occasions . LT staff themselves have alleged that some bus drivers are actually driving for Uber when their shift finishes. 

This needs a full investigation, but not by TfL as certain directors could be implicated in turning a blind eye to this situation, just to get a steady stream of cheap labour.

Again we ask the question:

    HOW HAS THIS MAN, STILL GOT A JOB AT TfL ?

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TfL Would Like To Thank All The Apathetic Drivers, Without Your Help They Wouldn't Be Able To keep Getting Away With It.

In the video below, we see an Uber driver licensed in one area, in this case The New Forrest, openly touting in an area he is not licensed to work in, again in this case Southampton. 

When confronted by irate licensed Hackney Carriage Taxi drivers he says:

"This is a very busy area and I'm telling people to download the app, they can then book me".

He went on to say:  

"why should I drive round wasting my petrol when there's lots of people here ? ".

The driver believes that as he is not on a Taxi rank he can openly tout....now who's told him this?

    

This is not just happening in Southampton, it's happening all over the UK and licensing authorities are quite happy to sell these drivers licenses, then turn a blind eye when they go off and work in different areas.

Top of the of 'Worst Licensing Authority List' is none other than our very own TfL. 

Taxi Leaks has been contacted by taxi and private hire  associations from all over the UK complaining that TfL are over licensing Uber drivers who then go off and work in other areas across the country. 

Leeds and Manchester seem to have the biggest problem and yet TfL are adamant they can do nothing about this. 

What ever happened to the requirement of being a fit and proper operator ?

Mike Brown, you are in a position to do something about this and as yet, you've done nothing.

You recently protested to Chairman of the LCDC Grant Davis, that you wanted it to go on record that the corrupt and illegal licensing of Uber had nothing to do with you.

The lies told by a certain TfL Managing Director to the GLA were not under your watch.....but still you've done nothing. 

Oh but wait, you are in the process of suspending a Taxi drivers licence who you accuse of UNACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOUR

Touting, working out of area, working without insurance, fake medical, fake driver licenses, fake topographical test's, sexual assaults including rapes ... are all OK in your eyes but taking video footage is a capital offence!

It would seem that TfL believes there's nothing wrong with Uber encouraging their drivers to work outside the area they are licensed in, and openly tout..l and yet If a Taxi driver films a video on his/her phone in a public place (which is perfectly legal), this is unacceptable behaviour and the driver should have his/her licence revoked.

It's a pity the Uber driver with 34 criminal convictions and mental health issues, didn't try to take a video rather than attacking the public with a machete....you would have had his licence revoked it minutes. 

We have 1000's of Uber cars, openly touting every night of the week and yet you have instructed your army of new, poorly trained COs, to harass working Taxi drivers in a bid to promote the financial interest of third party companies that a certain member of the board of TfL has a financial conflict of interest with.

Editorial Comment :

Currently, TfL commissioner Mike Brown is being paid £534,000 a year for Totally Failing London. 

Looking at what he's achieve since taking office !

Would you say this  is value for money ?

(Remember, he gets £392,000 more than Teresa May earns as Prime Minister) 

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Deans Biggest Ever Christmas Cracker Joke : TfL, Always Good For A Laugh.

And here is the reality

You really couldn't make this stuff up.

Below is the reality that TfL manage to keep out of the national media. 

The reality they don't want you to know about.

    

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