Ubique Posted December 31, 2014 Report Posted December 31, 2014 Think that this now requires a Cllr , who ,whatever they say , is in a better position than us foot soldiers to lay the Law down as to when taxi drivers can / can not accept / refuse a Fare.
Victor Wright Posted December 31, 2014 Report Posted December 31, 2014 Well done Ubique! I agree with Colin's stance.....they should be named and shamed. How would they feel if their wife, daughter, or indeed anyone they knew, was refused a fare to take them safely home? Common decency should mean that these fares should not be refused. It also begs the question "When is a taxi, not a taxi?" Perhaps trading standards might have a take on this?? I too agree, name and shame them, a letter to the HT is a good idea too.
Roger Posted December 31, 2014 Report Posted December 31, 2014 Again this weekend a Young lady was looking to get from Commercial Road to Ledbury road and was refused by a Taxi who said the fare was too short as he had been sat on the rank for an hour and was not going to go a short trip. We have taken his licence number and car plate number. He will be reported this week. Surly all taxis have a duty to get the citezens of Hereford home? If they are not prepared to take short trips then they should not be allowed to work the ranks of Hereford. I totally agree with you Paul. I think it should be expressly written into the local taxi rules that if you ply for hire on a rank then you are obliged to accept any passenger (subject to them being in a reasonably fit state) ~ regardless of journey length. I've read them and can't see such a clause. As it happens my son was in your establishment last weekend and he went to the Charcoal Grill afterwards (past 11PM) and booked a taxi on the phone (as it's tariff 1) to go an ultra short journey to Aylestone Hill ~ with his kebab. He was quoted 10 minutes but it never turned up (reason unknown) so he decided to walk back to the rank to reluctantly get a tariff 2 rate. He got as far as Union Walk and the 'rank' had snaked as far back as 'The Wash House' on Union Walk. Which of course is not any sort of rank. It's just the drivers' pleasing themselves and forming an illegal rank due to no enforcement as such + the fact that there are too many taxis. He was hailed by some Eastern European taxi driver near the rear of the queue who asked him if he was looking for a 'taxi'. Which of course he said yes to as he couldn't be bothered to walk to the front of the queue. Total shambles of a situation. I agree with Colin's stance.....they should be named and shamed. If there is no local regulation over short fares then I would be against naming and shaming someone for not doing a morally correct course of action. Plus naming and shaming will polarize opinion like in the Cardiff story today ... It would be interesting to know if the Street Pasters are meeting the same negativity when they arrange a taxi home for one of their Clients ? I would expect their clients' to possibly be in a questionable state. I would have no problem in a driver refusing a fare who was incapable ~ or who might throw up in the cab. Every case to be judged on it's own merits tho obviously. Why can't they just escort/carry the client to the flop house in Gaol Street? Purposely set up for sorting drunks' out ...
H.Wilson Posted January 1, 2015 Report Posted January 1, 2015 I totally agree with you Paul. I think it should be expressly written into the local taxi rules that if you ply for hire on a rank then you are obliged to accept any passenger (subject to them being in a reasonably fit state) ~ regardless of journey length. I've read them and can't see such a clause. As it happens my son was in your establishment last weekend and he went to the Charcoal Grill afterwards (past 11PM) and booked a taxi on the phone (as it's tariff 1) to go an ultra short journey to Aylestone Hill ~ with his kebab. He was quoted 10 minutes but it never turned up (reason unknown) so he decided to walk back to the rank to reluctantly get a tariff 2 rate. He got as far as Union Walk and the 'rank' had snaked as far back as 'The Wash House' on Union Walk. Which of course is not any sort of rank. It's just the drivers' pleasing themselves and forming an illegal rank due to no enforcement as such + the fact that there are too many taxis. He was hailed by some Eastern European taxi driver near the rear of the queue who asked him if he was looking for a 'taxi'. Which of course he said yes to as he couldn't be bothered to walk to the front of the queue. Total shambles of a situation. If there is no local regulation over short fares then I would be against naming and shaming someone for not doing a morally correct course of action. Plus naming and shaming will polarize opinion like in the Cardiff story today ... I would expect their clients' to possibly be in a questionable state. I would have no problem in a driver refusing a fare who was incapable ~ or who might throw up in the cab. Every case to be judged on it's own merits tho obviously. Why can't they just escort/carry the client to the flop house in Gaol Street? Purposely set up for sorting drunks' out ... You could of just said he was hailed by a 'taxi driver' why do you find it necessary to suggest that the driver may of been one of our European friends got to do with it? It was a good read from you until that point.
Roger Posted January 2, 2015 Report Posted January 2, 2015 You could of just said he was hailed by a 'taxi driver' why do you find it necessary to suggest that the driver may of been one of our European friends got to do with it? It was a good read from you until that point. He wasn't following the etiquette of the 'rank' ~ which is to go from the front. I personally haven't seen a 'local' driver calling out from the back of the 'rank' to hijack a fare. For that reason I thought it relevant. Just as valid a point is that the local drivers' don't need a sat nav to go to some very well known street in Whitecross, or Belmont, or wherever. Someone who's not been here long, or who might be one of the one's who seem to have migrated from Worcester might well do. Previous moans on the internet about that. Trying to warp my comment into some sort of racist moan is wide of the mark. On a similar note I was in Liverpool yesterday and I asked to be dropped off at a particular pub. Not some random pub. But the one that was the birthplace of Liverpool FC. Driver hadn't got a clue where that was. Foreign driver.
Glenda Powell Posted January 2, 2015 Report Posted January 2, 2015 I will be asking some questions next week, I sit on regulatory committee, see what answers I get.
K.Butt Posted January 2, 2015 Report Posted January 2, 2015 He wasn't following the etiquette of the 'rank' ~ which is to go from the front. I personally haven't seen a 'local' driver calling out from the back of the 'rank' to hijack a fare. For that reason I thought it relevant. Just as valid a point is that the local drivers' don't need a sat nav to go to some very well known street in Whitecross, or Belmont, or wherever. Someone who's not been here long, or who might be one of the one's who seem to have migrated from Worcester might well do. Previous moans on the internet about that. Trying to warp my comment into some sort of racist moan is wide of the mark. On a similar note I was in Liverpool yesterday and I asked to be dropped off at a particular pub. Not some random pub. But the one that was the birthplace of Liverpool FC. Driver hadn't got a clue where that was. Foreign driver. So what if the driver is not from Hereford? I have just come back from Germany and even though the tai driver was local he was not familiar with a restaurant and also had to refer to his SatNav. I think you have an issue with foreign taxi driver by the sound of it Roger, get in the real World my friend! It does not matter about Colour, Race or Nationality, that has nothing to with it and I am shocked in this day and age people like you still discriminate. This topic is about taxi drivers including non 'foreign' drivers refusing short trips.
Steve Major Posted January 2, 2015 Report Posted January 2, 2015 So what if the driver is not from Hereford? I have just come back from Germany and even though the tai driver was local he was not familiar with a restaurant and also had to refer to his SatNav. I think you have an issue with foreign taxi driver by the sound of it Roger, get in the real World my friend! It does not matter about Colour, Race or Nationality, that has nothing to with it and I am shocked in this day and age people like you still discriminate. This topic is about taxi drivers including non 'foreign' drivers refusing short trips. Ditto and that is all I shall say.
Roger Posted January 3, 2015 Report Posted January 3, 2015 Drivers' should know the routes .... How large is Hereford? People seem to want to make this into a racism issue?
Steve Major Posted January 3, 2015 Report Posted January 3, 2015 Drivers' should know the routes .... How large is Hereford? People seem to want to make this into a racism issue? I agree that taxi drivers should know the routes, REGARDLESS of where they are from or whether they are foreign. In London, cabbies have to sit an extensive examination before given their licence. Hereford should be the same and they no taxi driver should be able to refuse a fair because of its distance.
Victor Wright Posted January 3, 2015 Report Posted January 3, 2015 This complaint has been put to The Council on Twitter and they have given an Official response: These are Rank Taxis? What can the Police do? This is a classic pass the buck if ever I saw one.
Roger Posted January 4, 2015 Report Posted January 4, 2015 I will be asking some questions next week, I sit on regulatory committee, see what answers I get. Best of luck with that! Whole City is clogged up with taxis .... Chance of sorting that out at some meeting is NIL ...
Slim Posted January 4, 2015 Report Posted January 4, 2015 I once had occasion to hire a taxi from outside Tesco's in Bewell St. to go home to Bobblestock. First driver in the line did not know where to go and asked me to direct him! I'm afraid I will not pay for a taxi who does not know where they are going. I asked the next in line if he knew where to go and he answered yes so I got into that cab. On the journey, the driver said that there was an influx of drivers from Worcester, as they had to sit a "knowledge" test there and most of them could not pass it therefore could not get a license to operate.
dippyhippy Posted January 4, 2015 Report Posted January 4, 2015 That's really interesting, Slim! It kind of comes back to my point before....when is a taxi not a taxi.......when it refuses a short distance fare? when it doesn't know how to get from A to B in a small geographical area? and as the item on last nights early evening news said, when they charge more for disabled customers, that's if they will accept these fares in the first place! An MP is now writing to the equalities minister, such is the problem in Nottingham and other areas. I would expect a plumber to fix my leaking tap, a hairdresser to cut my hair, and a taxi driver to accept my fare and know how to get me home! If they can't do that - there is a problem!
Slim Posted January 4, 2015 Report Posted January 4, 2015 Dippy. With regard to your point on disabled customers. There have been two, to my knowledge, convictions resulting in fines of taxi drivers, both Asian by the way, for refusing to take passengers with Guide Dogs. My view is exactly the same as yours on this topic. If you proffer yourself as a taxi driver, take the fare no matter how small.
Ubique Posted January 4, 2015 Report Posted January 4, 2015 I will be emailing my contact with the Police to ask him to view HV post re this subject and ask him what is the Police view / policy on this situation - I will of course post his reply but not break any confidences .
dippyhippy Posted January 4, 2015 Report Posted January 4, 2015 Well done Ubique! We can rely on you to find out a bit more about this! I look forward to reading any information you can glean!
Roger Posted January 4, 2015 Report Posted January 4, 2015 I will be emailing my contact with the Police to ask him to view Hereford Voice post re this subject and ask him what is the Police view / policy on this situation - I will of course post his reply but not break any confidences I perceive this as a Council Issue. Chances of any action there are minimal to Nil ...In my opinion ...
dippyhippy Posted January 5, 2015 Report Posted January 5, 2015 You maybe right there, Roger....but it will be interesting to hear this perspective, regardless. At the very least, it should bring some clarity. Good luck with your mission, Ubique......if we haven't heard back from you within the week, I shall send out a search party!
Roger Posted January 5, 2015 Report Posted January 5, 2015 There is an army of Council traffic warden type people available to report back about taxis during their working hours. Plus cameras covering the problem areas out of their hours. Very little revenue to be had in chasing taxi offences in my opinion. Easier to get some cash elsewhere ...
Ubique Posted January 5, 2015 Report Posted January 5, 2015 Thing is Roger , if you do not ask etc etc ....... If the reply is that if the journey / passenger was declined because it wasn't viable / too short a journey there is nothing the Police can do .......I would understand that completely . Of course if the client was drunk / abusive / threatening etc I can see a reason to decline the fare. My gut feeling is that as the Licensing Authority it should be the Councils responsibility to "police " this problem .
greenknight Posted January 5, 2015 Report Posted January 5, 2015 Roger is right.The Council is responsible for issuing licenses and I'm sure it comes with do,s and don'ts. Acquiring a cabbies plate used to be very difficult many years ago so losing it was painfull. Lack of resources and the will to enforce during this period of prolonged Council budget cuts means that it does not sit high up on the priority list until sadly one day the actions of one rogue driver prompts a review. The Police can take action over taxi drivers who drive defective vehicles and of course show an interest in the types of individuals who drive said motors but the manner to which these guys ply their trade is a matter for HC.
Ubique Posted January 5, 2015 Report Posted January 5, 2015 Greenknight , I agree with you - it appears that when the Licensing Authority drew up the " Rules " they omitted / did not cover the refusal of a fare over a short distance .
Paul Neades Posted January 6, 2015 Author Report Posted January 6, 2015 Victor your response from the Council twitter is a very poor response as this is not a police issue, its licensing regulation issue. I have logged this officially with the council licensing dept who are addressing this and I will be interested to see what the outcome is. Roger is not being racist and reflects the view now of many customers who walk down the rank to find a Hereford taxi driver that can take them home without having to be guided and overcharged, this has been going on for a long time and I have lately decided to take action as I'm fed up of standing outside my venue seeing my customers struggle to get lift home. I am seeing the Hereford cabs taking all the jobs that the cabs from Worcester are refusing and this is not right and needs to be addressed. This week FREE RADIO have contacted me over this issue as they had seen this thread on Hereford Voice, I cant personally comment and slate the council as they are underfunded and no doubt don't have the funds to do day to day work let alone enforcement during the evening but I do think this has to be addressed, this is not a witch hunt on taxi drivers or public bodies rather plea to make Hereford a safer place so that everyone can get home safely and if taxi drivers want to come to Hereford to work then they have to play by the rules or leave it alone to the Hereford drivers to provide the service that local residents expect.
Paul Neades Posted January 6, 2015 Author Report Posted January 6, 2015 Glenda it would be great to see what response you get, I know that Jim Kenyon is also pushing for answers/Solutions to this issue.
Ubique Posted January 6, 2015 Report Posted January 6, 2015 The reply that I received from the Police also confirms that the refusal by the Taxi Driver to take a fare on a short journey is the responsibility of the Licensing Authority - HCC . The Police have confirmed what has been posted earlier - common sense . From another source I have learnt that the Council Licensing Dept is very understaffed .
Colin James Posted January 14, 2015 Report Posted January 14, 2015 From another source I have learnt that the Council Licensing Dept is very understaffed . This is no real excuse for not addressing this issue, it will be too late when a lone person is attacked after being refused a taxi home during the early hours.
Colin James Posted January 18, 2015 Report Posted January 18, 2015 I was in Worthing the other night and there they have a standard £3 set charge for short trips. Alternatively, if you are in Commercial Road and want a cab to say Saxty's jump in the Taxi and say something like Tesco's Belmont please and as soon as you are on the ring road, say oh sorry can you just drop me at Saxty's by which time the driver has committed themselves, sneaky I know but play them at their own game.
Roger Posted January 18, 2015 Report Posted January 18, 2015 I was in Worthing the other night and there they have a standard £3 set charge for short trips. Alternatively, if you are in Commercial Road and want a cab to say Saxty's jump in the Taxi and say something like Tesco's Belmont please and as soon as you are on the ring road, say oh sorry can you just drop me at Saxty's by which time the driver has committed themselves, sneaky I know but play them at their own game. Yates to Saxty's by taxi is bone idle ... ;-)
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