ABBA Taxis - as they are now known.

[Peter T]

Have a good xmas TD.

[tara_dad]

and the same to you peter tell the misses the same all the best mate in the new year

[Eagle]

There you go Td, you can make short posts if you put your mind to it.

[Bill]

If the WBC?s private hire rules do dictate that all private hire cars should return to their base after each job then it?s time they got their finger out and change them to come into line with modern working practices.

 

The way most private hire systems work is that a car may pickup from say Town going to Woolston and when it finishes, the diver can opt to either wait in the area or move to any other area. If the driver decides to wait then technically he?s breaking the rules by not returning thus giving the jobsworths of this world the opportunity to quote the rulebook. Driving back to base empty on the other hand (just because the rules say so) is a waste of fuel and not very environmentally friendly.

 

With such out of date rules in place, anyone could be excused for thinking that this might explain Abba?s poor reported service in the outlying areas of the town. The reality is that Abba have always been aggressive in their private hire dealings and now when they have an virtual monopoly of the towns trade, they appear to be encroaching on the hackney trade.

 

Just as long as we have laws that divide a trade there?s bound to be some friction so maybe it?s time to throw away the outdated rules an come up with a system that meets the needs of everyone concerned. It?ll never happen but if it did then at least it would put an end to this bloody thread.

 

Bill

[the taxi team]

a old law does say private hire cars do have to return to base, but is this was the case abbas cars would have to return to base they would have to return to CROWN ST under the arches as that is there reg office as it says on there door signs.

 

some cars do not wait in areas and go back to town due to there beeing less chance of the job being filtered from the offices that from phone work. for example it is said that some drivers get most off the better work (as in price) so it pointless sitting on a area plot because the next job will be only a local as that driver might not be a "family" driver. so most drivers take a chance on the offices because its pot luck, and they have a chance off a good job.

just because abbas fares on the rate card are cheaper doesnt mean the customer will get charged that, at least with the hacks the meters are checked and sealed so as long as you see the meter being put on you will be charged the right price.

[Bazj]

Get a bus or phone your dad. It is the only proper way!

[hiccy]

Sorry not been on to answers the questions ( as i do have a life ) Private hire car do not operate as taxis or advertise this as for Abba cars which is the traded name. No other name is used; taxi is not used at all. But having said that abba cars have hackney cars on their books which are taxis. Plus all private hire have marking on them if you?re not too drunk to read. This says per booking only. Not per booked NO ride. No insurance. Clearly marked on the doors. Taxis do not have this as it?s not need for them.

As for academy way. Did you know that if a private hire car is not per booked they have to return to there base which is academy way by law. So sorry no laws are being broken. As for the hackneys there should only be a number in a rank at a time that is allowed. So looking at it it?s the hackneys which are breaking the law here by parking up the streets. Not abba cars so will you be reporting them? You should, so lets see if you will I will not think so as it?s is them whom are breaking the law But in there favour they can pick up on the streets which private hire can not. So sorry no laws have been broken. As for price private hire are a lot cheaper.

so I would not be bothered how many taxi or private hire cars are in the town because if they where not there they would be a lot more fights as you know they clear town fast this is Fact use by the police and you would be the fist to call then if they where not there.

So in my ideal world I would have no taxi in town at all and then you would see what would happen and make everyone walk home.

But here one thing to remember when using or flagging a taxi there is no recorded held. It comes down to you to get all the relevant details of the driver and vehicles. When you get a private hire car its on record for mouths that the driver is name and all other details can be used in a court of law. Lot of taxi do not or will use this type of system but some are good like cab direct but I would not trust or use others in the trade. So remember that when using a taxi its all up to you now can you remember when your drunk and one more thing is on private hire they will tell you if your over charged as your booked in and is on recorded can you say that about a taxi did you know that the councils? most complaints are taxi not private hire over charging FACT so go on the web site and see for your self do not take my word and you will see a lot more on taxi

 

Not quite correct here, A PH Vehicle doesnt have to return to base by law at all, and Academy Way isnt the registered Office, it's Crown St.

And cab direct are contacted straight to the driver, so in fact the drivers are usually writing the addresses down while they're driving! Not good!!

[Bill]

?Not quite correct here?

 

Well hiccy, you got that bit right because private hire drivers do indeed have to return to base if the local rules say they must. Can?t speak for Warrington but that rule?s in place in many a town although nobody really bothers about it unless someone gets a bee I their bonnet.

 

Also the registered office of a company is purely a legal requirement whereas a base is where work is dispatched from. So if the silly rule applies, then the cars are right to return to Academy Way.

 

As I say, time to change these silly rules.

 

Bill

[Dizzy]

Something so simple, or so you'd think, as phoning or waiving for a cab to take you from A to B is obviosuly a lot more complicated that it appears eh

[tara_dad]

the taxi team said ..a old law does say private hire cars do have to return to base, but is this was the case abbas cars would have to return to base they would have to return to CROWN ST under the arches as that is there reg office as it says on there door signs.

 

some cars do not wait in areas and go back to town due to there beeing less chance of the job being filtered from the offices that from phone work. for example it is said that some drivers get most off the better work (as in price) so it pointless sitting on a area plot because the next job will be only a local as that driver might not be a "family" driver. so most drivers take a chance on the offices because its pot luck, and they have a chance off a good job.

just because abbas fares on the rate card are cheaper doesnt mean the customer will get charged that, at least with the hacks the meters are checked and sealed so as long as you see the meter being put on you will be charged the right price.

 

but i all so said the taxi team...... But here one thing to remember when using or flagging a taxi there is no recorded held. It comes down to you to get all the relevant details of the driver and vehicles. When you get a private hire car its on record for mouths that the driver is name and all other details can be used in a court of law. Lot of taxi do not or will use this type of system but some are good like cab direct but I would not trust or use others in the trade. So remember that when using a taxi its all up to you now can you remember when your drunk and one more thing is on private hire they will tell you if your over charged whenyou get home and it is eld on recorded can you say that about a taxi did you know that the councils? most complaints are taxi not private hire over charging FACT so go on the web site and see for your self do not take my word and you will see a lot more on taxi

so the taxi team your comments are Regarding the above missed part or do you agree with this

[Peter T]

The more info. that gets put on here, the more one wonders about the reliability of the service. Is it that bad that you have to take them to court?

I doubt Pink Ladies have that reputation.

 

Perhaps those that don't go back to base, but park up in the side streets awaiting a call are the ones just "around the corner".

[hiccy]

There's nothing in the LGMPA that says a PHV must return to it's base, remember all PHV's are fully insured and taxed for the public roads, they can both drive and park, wherever they like (within the law of course).

 

As for the "taxi team" if your refering to the Warrington Taxi Team then lots of what they say is utter tosh, as has been proved on more than one occasion. They like to think that they can make up rules to suit themselves withour realising they can't.

 

All ABBA work is despatched from Crown St which is of course they're registered office as well.

 

As for Pink, no-ones yet been involved in a serious accident yet thank god, but if/when they do ive a feeling the insurance issue etc might be theyre undoing, but of course they'll probably just go bust again and sod everyone else.

[tara_dad]

Peter says

The more info. That gets put on here, the more one wonders about the reliability of the service. Is it that bad that you have to take them to court?

I doubt Pink Ladies have that reputation.

 

 

But all so remember With all the above taxi and private hire peter you are covered by public safety. On where the council can step in on any public safety issue with the backing of the law.

but as you have seen pink ladies are not covered by this and as you can see just on here the council have no power over them on any public safety issue.

so they can put the pubic in danger and the council can and will not do anything and if you have been watching TV over this festive session you would have seen number of programs telling the public not to use bogus taxis or private hire vehicles use licensed vehicles? only which pink ladies are not just remember that.

[tara_dad]

Hicy said

There's nothing in the LGMPA that says a PHV must return to it's base, remember all PHV's are fully insured and taxed for the public roads, they can both drive and park, wherever they like (within the law of course)

 

In the Warrington councils by law and licences rules which have to be applied it says that private hire must return to base when not taking or on a pr booked job taxi team are right abba cars must go to crown st but crown cars can use academy way as there base

 

As for the "taxi team" if your refering to the Warrington Taxi Team then lots of what they say is utter tosh, as has been proved on more than one occasion. They like to think that they can make up rules to suit themselves withour realising they can't

 

 

No arguments from me on the warrington taxi team and the new one as well as that to that you are right there. they can`t back up any reports , can not give the right information out, and do not help the public to know there rights

 

As for Pink, no-ones yet been involved in a serious accident yet thank god, but if/when they do ive a feeling the insurance issue etc might be theyre undoing, but of course they'll probably just go bust again and sod everyone else.

 

Not fully right on that one but your right as to one to date as been involved in a serious accident. But accident yes. and lots of people have tried taking them to court also some members of the public have been indecently assaulted did you know that . Along with others as you know I am following the cases of the pink ladies fully and have lots of emails from people do not forget we been out with a film crew as on where the public have tolled us along with the police where they have enclosed proof along with police reports case numbers and files. as I have said I lot have not come to light yet but its all going to be used to one hold the council and the taxi & private hire officer Mr P Barns accountable when its all going to come light but as Gary will tell you with on going cases I can not say more but trust me more is going to come. So not fully right ona clean accident record

[Dizzy]

I'm sure every taxi/PH company has it's good and bad points but I'd just like to say that the driver from Harry's Taxis who I have spoken too recently as he drops my elderly neighbour off is one of the nicest and most helfull chaps I have met in a long time, and what a sense of humour it was quite refreshing

 

If I ever had to use a taxi I think would use use them from what I have seen

[Peter T]

One swallow doesn't make a summer, and mostly they are a scruffy lot.

Perhaps the attitude is governed by the size of the tip.

[Dizzy]

As far as I remember he didn't get a tip other than to never wipe his bottom with a hedgehog

[Steve the Original]

Im glad i go everywhere by car,bus or train...

 

 

Steve

[vic]

Back to the original post.

 

Bridge Street was too dangerous, and its night-time closure has reportedly reduced incidents connected with finding cabs / private hire (and the risk of traffic accidents). However, Academy Way is now obviously a pressure point.

 

Use of the private hire offices means you can book your ride, wait till there's a vehicle, then be escorted by a marshall to the vehicle. Taxi marshalls can also offer similar service for hackney carriages (but funding is an issue as there are not the same limited number of companies as for private hire).

 

A driver who can't speak English should not be possible, as all drivers (private hire or taxi - it's the same licence) have to pass a knowledge test, as well as a medical, and have an enhanced CRB (Criminal Records Bureau). The knowledge test requires writing answers to questions like "when may a council officer or police constable inspect a hackney carriage / private hire vehicle?", or "what procedures, as described in the Highway Code, should you go through before moving off in your vehicle?" - as well as "the knowledge". Can you name all the streets you'd use from the Ferry Inn, Penketh to Central Station, or Fordton Leisure Centre to Rylands Recreation Ground? (Yes! I can do that one.) On what roads are the following: Broomfields Leisure Centre, Eagle Sports Club, Hanover International / Park Royal, the Parish Church, Risley Remand Centre ? (You don't need to get them all right...)

[Bazj]

"when may a council officer or police constable inspect a hackney carriage / private hire vehicle?"

Probably never judging by the state of some of the cars in Warrington (although a lot are quite nice these days!

 

"what procedures, as described in the Highway Code, should you go through before moving off in your vehicle?"

Tuck your beer belly into your jeans and then pull away; cutting up and narrowly missing the oncoming cars

 

Can you name all the streets you'd use from the Ferry Inn, Penketh to Central Station

No mate, but if I go via Westbrook I can get more money out of you!

 

Fordton Leisure Centre to Rylands Recreation Ground

See above...

 

On what roads are the following: Broomfields Leisure Centre, Eagle Sports Club, Hanover International / Park Royal, the Parish Church, Risley Remand Centre

 

If it was the same taxi driver who picked up my son from our house to go for a job interview in Newton le Willows then he wouldn't have a clue. (If you don't know the story; my son had a job interview at a school in Newton. Called a well known taxi firm who sent out a non-English driver who, when he found out where my son wanted to go, brought him back to our house and told him to phone for a driver who had a sat nav in his car!)

[Bill]

It?s getting a bit off topic but I have to agree with Vic when he says there should be such thing as a taxi driver who can?t speak English.

 

I come across the situation on a regular basis at some companies where a driver can only describe an equipment problem as ?not work? which makes working with such people extremely difficult.

 

Fortunately I?ve got plenty of patience but in my opinion it?s completely wrong for the council to grant licenses to people doing a job that requires them to communicate with the public.

 

Providing interpreters to allow them to take their test might be the PC solution but misses the point completely.

 

Bill

[Peter T]

Rumour has it, that they get a ringer to take the test for them.

[Eagle]

Hence the origin of "putting through the (w)ringer".

[hiccy]

As far as i'm aware that's true, you can take a translator in to help, what's to stop an existing driver translating and giving the answers?

It a complete shambles in warrington.

[observer]

Such are the joys of a PC society.