A BlueLine Drivers Viewpoint.

October 6th, 2008 • Related • Filed Under

Great forum lads and lasses ,
Let me give you a point of view from a hack who has jumped on to the berwick
band wagon.
I am and always will be a hack driver at heart but we are all in the
business of trying to make money and for month upon month on the hacks i was
taken nothing home at the end of the week .
I worked 5 full nights a week and the money i took on the week ends went to
my gaffer and for fuel so with my nights off i was left with 3 nights
througth the week to make my own wages which on a good week added up to 80
quid a shift £240 total .
I now work at blueline clearing £500 for 5 shifts after offtakes so as you
can see i am £260 a week better off.
I also think someone who comes in to this game should fundamentaly know 2
things , firstly they should speak fluent english and secondly they should
know where they are going , the stories i have heard about passengers being
taken miles out of there route by a pole who does not have a clue where he
is going etc. is worrying but i suppose you could say we all have to learn
sometime.
Anyway to get back to my first point i would love to be back on the hacks so
as soon as the greedy owners stop price fixing with each other and drop the
bit to an affordable price then i am stuck where i am .
With regards to flimping all my pals from the private hire world have ALL
STOPPED FLIMPING and i mean ALL they have seen a few getting caught and it
has scared them off some of them have even swapped night shift for day shift
so they cannot be tempted to flimp so i think that is working well , the ones
that flimp at bluline do so at there own risk , the desk clerks will not
cover a drivers arse or put jobs in the system for him so he really is out
on a limb whilst flimping.
Anyway good site , keep talking , when people stop talking people begin to
fester ….

Contributed by a Blueline Driver. Name supplied

aaa

There Are 94 Responses So Far. »

Comment by Captain Cab on 6 October 2008:

I dont know how deep the tyne is, but could you jump off that bridge?

CC

[Reply]
Comment by G.Friedman on 7 October 2008:

“we are all in the
business of trying to make money” and your solution is to add to the problem!

[Reply]
Comment by SC on 7 October 2008:

you might think he is adding to the problem, but at the end of the day people need grasp that the industry is changing, and these changes are being lead by the spending trends of the public. Now you can hold out thinking thinks will improve and hope not to go bankrupt while you wait or you can move with the trends, move forward and make a good living!

[Reply]
Comment by G.Friedman on 7 October 2008:

SC: I do think he is “adding” to the problem! the problem is a decreasing amount of work and an increasing amount of cars. This has been happening over the last 20 years. I agree the industry is changing, I could move forward as you put it and maybe join Blueline or some other big firm,but don’t you see that the more of us that you convert, the more you have to share your slice of the pie! Then you will know how the Hackney trade feels. For all our sakes we all need to let the Councils know that this trend of increasing numbers of Taxis has to stop. If the working time directive comes in, which it is, supposedly 29 march next year, and they find a way to enforce it then when all these cars suddenly find that they have to work an average of no more than 42 hours per week, how will you envisage adapting to that trend?

[Reply]
Comment by tc on 7 October 2008:

Mr Friedman there is an answer to the growing problem, NO PART TIME DRIVERS !!! just full time drivers only 1 car 1 driver ………..

[Reply]
Comment by glen on 7 October 2008:

Captain Crab ,
What’s up with you , i come on to give my opinion and the best you can say
is jump off a bridge , GET REAL MAN ! i’ll send your rattle back that fell
out of your pram .
Gfriedman , You are spot on this game is changing fast and some of us are up
to speed with the changes and some are not ( no names mentioned crabbie
lol).
I remember when W340 hit the streets , that driver was shunned for weeks by
the old timers who saw that cab as the start of the decline that driver was
me but in time drivers attitudes changed towards the w plates and things
quietened down .
Now my point is every ten years or so something rattles the cab trade and
everyone thinks that it is game over for the trade but the trade is strong ,
robust and it will cope with what lies ahead it always does.
Over the last 6 months some of our major banks have gone to the wall , the
financial markets are in free fall no body is spending any money and the
ones that are spending are looking for the cheapest deals , shops like aldi
and lidls have recorded record sales this year and for the same reason more
and more punters are turning to the likes of blueline to take them for a
night out .
When the hack fares went up how many of you suggested to the council that by
putting the fares up this year it would force more people to ring the likes
of blueline ? , not many i bet.
I also remember carrying suitcases from the rattler to the station hotel
because we were adamant we were giving gner nothing then within a few days a
few gob shits licked the arses of gner and the same drivers became very rich
extracting money from drivers to work the rattler , i never paid and i never
will EVER.
The biggest problem the drivers face today is not a reccession but the trade
itself , its like a dog biting its own tail , it will get nowhere fast and it
will hurt for a while but i believe 100 percent the trade will rise out of
the ashes.
A wise old timer ( john cattle from byker taxis ) once said to me whilst
talking about taxi-ing “what you lose on the swings you gain on the
roundabouts”

[Reply]
Comment by SC on 7 October 2008:

G.Friedman tbh if the 42 hour we comes in it wont make that big a difference to me, I only around 45 hours a week anyway. plus you’ll be able to opt out of it like you could when they brought in the last one about 10 years ago

[Reply]
Comment by alan.r on 7 October 2008:

SC….The opt out clause for self employed was in place until 23 mar 2009. after which there is to be no opt out. it might not effect you and probably wont effect me but the BLT’s working 14 hour shifts will certainly be affected,don’t you think?

[Reply]
Comment by tc on 7 October 2008:

well Glen mr cattle might of give you some advice on wot you lose on the swings you gain on the roudabouts ,mrs cattle did but didn’t because once she used to run a lot of minibusse’s to a certain school on school transport only for the vechicles to be found to be using red ! that was last the she seen of the roundabout !but you’re right the trade is their own enemy & always will be unfortunatly .

[Reply]
Comment by Captain Cab on 7 October 2008:

I’m sorry.

Your first comment was that you’ve jumped on the Berwick bandwagon.

You work in North Tyneside and pay Berwick Council licensing fees to enforce policy there….they have no control of you when you work in North Tyneside.

However, NTC still have a duty towards enforcement, this is paid for through licensing fees, without the income coming in, either enforcement will dwindle which will put the public at greater risk, or licensing fees will go up, or it becomes subsidised by somewhere else in the council budget. Perhaps a care home or school should close perhaps?

Your original statement stated that you were on the Berwick bandwagon, you then went on to castigate Polish Drivers and those drivers who get lost.

Now I understand your point, but its a contradiction, these drivers are using the same bandwagon as yourself.

regards

CC

[Reply]
Comment by the nutty professor on 9 October 2008:

to whom it may concern can someone please tell me if these foreign drivers have to take a locality test before they are issued with there badge or do they get a free tom tom to attempt to direct them to there jobs then to there customers destination

[Reply]
Comment by admin on 9 October 2008:

I happen to know that Alan Newton is a Frequent visitor to this site and an avid reader of comments. I will hereby challenge him to answer The Nutty Professor’s query….we wait with Bated Breath Alan!

[Reply]
Comment by tc on 9 October 2008:

I was always led to believe, drivers of ethnic origins had to have a basic understanding of the english language, for safety reasons alone ! or thats right the do gooders think this is an infringement on them, & not the general fare paying public who any driver on this web site must of heard at least 1 horror story from a fare paying punter who has had the misfortune of been driven around on a wild goose chase ,that’s not bigotry either just the truth !

[Reply]
Comment by ian shanks on 9 October 2008:

my answer is what good is a locality test ???

in our case a driver will learn and pass a locality test for north tyneside and spend the majority of his time in Newcastle gateshead and other areas and never be in north tyneside !!

a test on customer service is far more valuable in my eyes !

the locality was brought in before such things as directional aids two way radios and mobile phones which can get them where they need to be. many of you experienced drivers would not know where you are if you came to work on our system in estates around blaydon prudhoe which am chetsrele street etc etc etc

why cant people learn as you go on as none of us can know every where when we first start certainly not on the big systems

[Reply]
Comment by Captain Cab on 9 October 2008:

I suppose people cant learn as they go on because at the end of the day someone is paying for a service….the shortest possible route seems to spring to mind.

Mind you….if we go down the line of learning on the job, then for my next job I quite fancy flying a Harrier….perhaps being a captain of an aircraft carrier, or one of those nice shiny challenger 2 tanks.

There are certain basic minimum requirements needed…..as HC drivers…..but I’m not as sure for PH.

regards

CC

[Reply]
Comment by tc on 9 October 2008:

well may be a tyne & wear locality test should be adopted ; even throw in a borders test for when the 600 mr wilson plates decend on that mixed up town !!!

[Reply]
Comment by the nutty professor on 9 October 2008:

dear ian if thats the case then you may as well just go to the council and say i want a badge and then start taxi driving and hope your customers understand that your not from that area which ever one it may be

[Reply]
Comment by Andy Warhol on 9 October 2008:

ian, I would love a pound for everytime a blueline taxi has nearly taken me off the road swerving from one land to the other on the central motorway cause there watching some tom tom instead of having a general knowledge which exit is for say gosforth.

now your telling me that someone who passes a locality test in NT would not have a general idea how to get to gosforth or the west end, cause there locality test stops at NT boundries?

And a test on ‘customer service’ would be a joke. People would sit in a room nod there head and be no different with the publice when they walked out. It’s also hypocritical to think that we are that STUPID that we don’t know how to greet, help a passenger in and out if needed, take money, give change and say goodbye to our customer!!! Those that give the trade a bad name would continue to do so even after a NVQ level 1009 !!!

So taxi drivers dont’ need to have a general idea of and area? Laughable ! Ian when you next need and plastering, plumbing or building work done, dont hesitate to call me. I have no experience of these fields whatsoever, but I have completed a course on how to greet you when I knock on your door, and I will buy a book showing me how to do the work step by step.

They should make the Knowledge bloody harder, not scrap it man!

[Reply]
Comment by ian shanks on 9 October 2008:

tell me andy what good is a north tynside knowledge test to a driver at our office working 90% of his time in the city ?

[Reply]
Comment by Captain Cab on 9 October 2008:

IS

Then he should be a Newcastle PH driver?

CC

[Reply]
Comment by Sam Harrington on 9 October 2008:

a few points…
ian shanks, if you have drivers working 90% of their time in the city, then ffs open an office in the city and get them licensed there, where they will have to take the appropriate locality test.

admin, if you know that alan newton is a regular visitor to this site, then surely you must know he is also full of shite (allegedly)

finally…. for sale, a tow rope, yes i know you all have RAC or AA or Greenflag breakdown, or maybe you dont and rely on the fact that you have a mate/s who will rescue you in the event of a breakdown.

Forget breakdowns, this towrope is ideal for topping yourself once the lean months arrive, so be quick and buy now !!!!

[Reply]
Comment by ian shanks on 10 October 2008:

captain cab and mr harrington !!

you think i should vacate my offices garages and whole operations after 50 years, and that i should find the exact same plot in Newcastle i guess at great expense so i can have locality tests.

get a life the pair of you !!!

why not get Newcastle and North tyneside to move the boundary line for me ?

i think you put far to much value on the locality tests, many of our drivers carry out some internal training but you can not learn an area in detail such as the ones we work in which is the whole of TYNESIDE

i have Kevin our mechanic, 37 years of age lived in Howdon all his life and when asked to take me to the Vermont Hotel he didn’t have a clue which way it was out the street.

Whilst like i have said, we do carry out some basic training for new drivers (not just foreign drivers) but English lads from out the area you can not know everywhere so you learn as you go to a certain extent. customer care and service to me is far more important.

when i was in London the cab driver could not find the apartments i was staying in and we spent a hour (and £40 later) dropping me off at a hotel where the porter then told me where is was. So come on boys you know you don’t know everywhere every you lot would struggle in our office

or is that half the problem why you don’t join offices as you maybe out your depth or comfort zone ?

[Reply]
Comment by Andy Warhol on 10 October 2008:

“tell me andy what good is a north tynside knowledge test to a driver at our office working 90% of his time in the city ?”

so lets make it harder, lets incorporate pubs. clubs places of interest and main roads of neighbouring areas! Or would that slow your income down?

Without the knowledege there is no steady stream of drivers entering the trade, Berwick have shown this as proof! People like ian wish for it to go and try to convince us all that it is for the better so that more people can enter the trade at a tidal wave rate!

like i said, lets make it HARDER, slow the stream down, and make drivers worthy of the job like they do in London. It’s well known that they have the hardest knowledge (2 years of learning) and the ‘best’ taxi drivers in the world. Does this not say it all?

[Reply]
Comment by glen on 11 October 2008:

Captain cab ,
I am not having a go at the polls , i am using them to get my point over , i think anyone from anywhere should speak FLUENT english in order to be a cabbie .
Lets talk about licsensing enforcement now , over the last 2 months i have seen newcastle LA have 2 nights where they were out on the prowl and guess who was the biggest flimpers ? that’s right newcastle private hire 2 of my newcastle ph pals got caught and what has newcastle LA done to them and the others who got caught ? , that’s right f;;; all !.
Now over the same 2 months i have seen berwick LA in the town 4 times both day and night with testers to check the cars safety etc.
Now your’e probably thinking that i am a fan of berwick plates in the north east well im not , i think it is absurd that drivers can work in newcastle and north tyneside without one locality question put in front of them but that is for more powerful and educated people to discuss in a court of law but i also think that if blueline lose the plate fight north tyneside council will be delighted to give those berwick drivers a nt badge with what i would say would be a very easy locality test so there would be nothing gained from a town hacks point of view , the flimpers would be simply flimping in a fully approved nt cab instead of a berwick one.
I think one of the biggest factors in cabs who are busy and ones that are’nt is the price now has any one ever thought of coplaining to the councils to step in and make ph companies up ther prices so the playing field would even up a bit ,why does the councils set hack rates but not ph rates who decided that rule ? im sure there are goverment bodies who’s main goal is fair competition why not look in to it ! i think there should be one price per mile in any cab in any city . I am sure ian my gaffer would disagree but he would agree that there should be one body nationally to oversee the taxi trade and as long as there is different fractions of law and rules in the trade then there will always be fractions between drivers.

[Reply]
Comment by ian shanks on 11 October 2008:

andy i genuinely believe that the knowledge test is a artificial barrier in getting drivers into the trade and put my hands up i don’t want that !!!

my view is that in the big offices, a driver can not know everywhere the office covers, so you have drivers that need aid in finding places, but as long as they get them there safely and without to much inconvenience he will then know it for the next time. i believe if even if you were to work on our system some of the place you would need to go to would puzzle you form time to time ? my London taxi journey to near canary wharf was £20 over the top as we could not find the place!

London has no limit on plates by the way, anyone who passes the test can have a badge !! you OK with that ??? its one or the other but not the closed shop you want, so you can protect your investment and living that’s just plane selfish !!!

so i will repeat my self for all and sundry YES i don’t want barriers of such things as knowledge tests because i need drivers for the work we have and apart from you thinking that’s me being selfish its also about giving customers who want a taxi/p/h the service they desire and also to create employment to people who want to do a job !!

buses are suffering as they can not provide the service taxis and P/Hs can provide which is 24 hour door to door.

if people could get that service and its cost affective maybe our trade would be even busier.

you ask for a harder tests because your now OK and got your badge but would you have gone to the bother if it had been ten times harder or you had to study for 6 or 12 months at your own expense. NO

is this a case of “I’m all right jack” and now I am shut the door so no can threaten that

[Reply]
Comment by Captain Cab on 11 October 2008:

IS

I think I’d definitely struggle to work from your office, but then the commuting would create issues

I don’t think I suggested what you stated, and it isn’t my place to comment on your business (not that you’d pay any attention anyway).

What I can state is that throughout the country there are PH businesses that have grown massively, and for the most part even though the vehicles maybe in other areas 95% of the time, they still remain PH from their original area of operation.

If there are issues with your LA, then surely you could sit around a table with them explaining your difficulties, finding a solution, other than the present way?

regards

CC

[Reply]
Comment by ian shanks on 11 October 2008:

captain cab

where you from ??

i have sat around the table so many time with the councils and try so many time for things that clearly make sense for the trade in general but i have sadly come to the conclusion that the council have their own agendas !! even heard that from inside source

you are free to comment on anything a i say or do and no offence is taken its simply down to sometimes not knowing the other persons circumstances or situation. and from time to time people will have to disagree.

as i have said i do whats right for me and my business and i now run a business which creates employment for hundreds of drivers and thousand of customers.

as i have said not everything i have done i have been comfortable about but i have been pushed that way by various other bodies or the need to take my business further.

any way talking costs nothing and if i had a problem with that i would not be so active on this site.

[Reply]
Comment by glen on 13 October 2008:

Gaffer,
I think you are spot on LA’s are power mad bas…ds especially enforcement officers playing god to all there miniuns they needed and got a right kick in the stones .
Now i see the current situation like a very close game of chess , the next move could be check mate for either side and i think enforcement is going to be berwicks achillies heel with any judge.
I know berwick are enforcing in newcastle and quite well infact but convincing a judge might not be easy.
How far off are we before a final descision is made ? how certain are you of winning ? and what plan b have you got incase things go tits up ?.
On a more personal note i’ve heard there is a thing in the office for drivers to sign in support of a fare increase whats all that about ?, if any driver signs that form saying no to an increase give me there name and address and i’ll send my mother in law around to demand sex from the fu…ng idiot.
Heres an idea ian , why not once a month meet up at a pub for an hour or so with any driver that wants to attend to hear any problems he or she has with the company i think it would do everyone good as i know quite a few drivers who think you’re unaproachable and ive heard things like ivory tower thrown around and i know alot of drivers who refuse to pick up the monthly newsletter as they see it as dictating rather than informing.

[Reply]
Comment by Andy Warhol on 13 October 2008:

glen,,,

Berwick enforcement enforcing Berwick taxis on a regular basis in Newcastle? When and where exactly?

I work down there 6 nights a week, and I have never, nor any of the lads on ANY of the ranks seen berwick enforcing berwick plates! So I would love to know how you seem to be so fortunate to have seen them not only once but on several occassions!

[Reply]
Comment by Ian Shanks on 13 October 2008:

GLEN

YOUR ARE CORRECT IN THE THE JUDGE IS VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE ENFORCEMENT BUT I ONLY HOPE THAT THE LAW HE HAS TO WORK FROM AND SUCH PRACTICES AS VOSA WITH PSV VEHICLES CNA CONVINCE HIM OTHERWISE

THERE IS ONLY ONE LAW ENFORCEMENT FOR PSV VEHICLES OF 9 SEATS AND OVER AND IT WORKS WELL FOR THEM !

I AM NOT CONFIDENT ABOUT THE DECISION AND WHEN IT IS MADE I WILL THEN KNOW WHICH ROUTE TO TAKE IF NEED BE. I THINK IF IT GOES NEWCASTLES WAY IT MAY OPEN UP A TOTAL NEW CAN OF WORMS BUT I SIMPLY DON’T KNOW IS THE TRUTH.

THE FORMS IN THE OFFICE ARE TO SIGN FOR THOSE THAT WANT TO SO WE CAN CONTINUE TO ARGUE WITH THE COUNCIL OVER VARIOUS MATTER THAT CONCERN THE TRADE AND NOT A FARE INCREASE. THE COUNCIL HAVE ASKED WHO AND WHAT WE REPRESENT AS A BODY SO WE THOUGHT WE WOULD SHOW THEM A NUMBER OF DRIVERS ASK US TO REPRESENT VIEWS OR CONCERN TO THE COUNCIL ITS ALL BUROCHRACY

PLEASE INFORM THE DRIVERS “my door is always open ” TO THEM FOR ANY ENQUIRY ! I THINK I HAVE SHOWN A WILLINGNESS TO SPEAK TO PEOPLE BY THE PURE FACT I DO IT ON HERE

BLUE LINE DRIVERS ALSO HAVE THERE OWN PRIVATE FORUM WHICH IS VIA OUR WEB SITE IF YOU WISH TO ENTER INTO DISCUSSION ON THERE

[Reply]
Comment by Captain Cab on 13 October 2008:

The enforcement for PSV’s is woeful, they’re chronically underfunded and unable to cope.

CC

[Reply]
Comment by ian shanks on 14 October 2008:

well captain cab its the same as local authority ! and no worse,other than in our industry they strip us of the funding

[Reply]
Comment by Captain Cab on 14 October 2008:

Sorry Mr Shanks i disagree.

The PSV regime is, due to its size, far less rigourous than the HC and PHV licensing regime.

Our indusrty is supposed to pay its own way and LA’s cannot make a profit from it.

CC

[Reply]
Comment by Deka on 15 October 2008:

Well Andy,i myself have seen a silver vectra on numerous occasions in newcastle checking berwick plates,so i dont know where you work or what your motives are!

[Reply]
Comment by Andy Warhol on 28 October 2008:

my motives?

i dont know about motives but I hope the judge basicly says you must operate from your licencing area and not 60 mile down the road or further.

why do I want this as a Newcastle Hackney Driver?

Well, what has happened with the berwick plates is there has been a surge in new drivers, full or part time, comming into the trade. the guys who have made ther money at the guilty offices now no longer can do what they used to in the same shifts as they could 2 years ago and as a result they resort to ‘flimping’ to top up there earnings.

this is what concerns me.

and again don’t give it the ‘there is no new drivers they are all ex, N/cle GH NT drivers who opted for Berwick rubbish.

1 office I know of has derwentside, tynedale and berwick operating from it. and of AT LEAST 10, 2 are ex haq drivers who sold up!

so my motives are i suppose either: call a halt to cross border hiring so the lads at offices have a chance, owners of offices STOP taking on drivers if there is insufficient work, or N/cle Enforcement do as you are paid to do and get down there at least once a month operating stings and catching these rogue drivers.

PS Deka, how do you know that there is a silver vectra with Berwick enforcement operating down there? does it have stickers all along the side to say so?

More Berwick propergander, just like:
‘it’s cheaper’ - the challange was set by capt cab to prove it, no one has yet to do so.
‘there CRB is stricter’ - yeah right
‘Newcastle council upset me’ - as Berwick Drivers would say ‘GET OVER IT’
‘Berwick cars DO NOT FLIMP’ - not gonna even answer this one …

the reality is offices owners who take these guys on are creaming the extra £££’s in off them.
Private Hire and hackney drivers who sold up would love to try and pile pressure on the councils to deregulate, whether they are deluded to think that they would still make more money if they did so, or whether it’s out of spite to multiple plate holders.

[Reply]
Comment by John on 29 October 2008:

Here you go Ian Shanks, 0:25am 29th Oct Blueline Berwick car number H1868 (VW tourreg) flimped a fare from outside Mc Donalds on Granger st for 5 people going to walker. Now I no this to be correct because the people in question asked myself and another car \”can you take us to Walker?\” when asked if they booked they said \”no mate\” Yet your car who had been sitting there longer then me took them. I would also like to point out, your driver had no car top sign (as req) and instead of getting out and pulling up the seats in his boot, he had 4 people squash into the 3 rear seats! \”investors in passenger safety\” my arse!
*waits for the standard \”it was a booked job\” reply*

[Reply]
Comment by john dodds on 29 October 2008:

I never thought I would say this,of our friend Mr Shanks,but he has made a very good point. He is right in saying its our own fault this chaotic mess in Newcastle and other areas is OUR (Us drivers and operators)own fault and here is why….WE DO NOT STICK TOGETHER!!
Theres an old saying..United we stand..Devided we fall,at the minute we have a situation where some drivers are sitting watching their friendsor brothers pick up in these out of area cars,and do nothing about it.
Now I am not suggesting or condoning breaking the Law,I`m as much against that as i am these rogue drivers,BUT,there is nothing to stop you blocking these `pirates` so if they do flimp a job,they cant move.
The fact that `your brother/friend` is the driver has no bearing…HE is STEALING YOUR BUSINESS.
Also,as Mr Shanks so correctly points out,where are the Enforcement Officers,that we pay for via badge and plate and test fees.
I repeat my often made comment,if you could do your shopping at Asda every week,and walk out without paying,you would do it.
The point being,as Newcastle does not operate any sort of coherent enforcement policy,anyone will do what ever they want to.
This is why these drivers and operators,not mentioning any names,but`if the cap fits….get my drift`,are operating as they are,they know they will get away with it,which makes me wonder just how they know the council will not act….
One thing i do know is,from a recent comment in a trade mag in London,where an office has employed 3 of these cars.
A letter was sent to the office operator,pointing out the vehicles concerned,and letting them know in rather direct wording that should these cars be seen `flimping` illegally plying for hire,or involved in any suspect activity,they would be delt with,and i dont think the writer had the Police or Enforcement in mind.
Heres hoping for a solution to this mess….sooner rather than later.

[Reply]
Comment by l90joe on 29 October 2008:

to andy warhol iam berwick plate driver i work four blueline i do notdo any fimpling have got time for that ref the berwick enforecment car it is a sliver vectra it has on side berwick licensing enforecment i have been pull two time one in newcastle city and byker all ok

[Reply]
Comment by ian shanks on 29 October 2008:

its a sad situation that berwick enforcement team are doing more than Newcastle enforcement in Newcastle city !

[Reply]
Comment by yt on 29 October 2008:

It’s a sad situation that somebody with all your money isn’t at his villa in Spain!
Admin! Wake me up when somebody comes on here with something interesting to say!

[Reply]
Comment by John on 30 October 2008:

Here you go Ian Shanks, 0:25am 29th Oct Blueline Berwick car number H1868 (VW tourreg) flimped a fare from outside Mc Donalds on Granger st for 5 people going to walker. Now I no this to be correct because the people in question asked myself and another car “can you take us to Walker?” when asked if they booked they said “no mate” Yet your car who had been sitting there longer then me took them. I would also like to point out, your driver had no car top sign (as req) and instead of getting out and pulling up the seats in his boot, he had 4 people squash into the 3 rear seats! “investors in passenger safety” my arse!
*waits for the standard “it was a booked job” reply*

[Reply]
Comment by john dodds on 30 October 2008:

Ref,Ian Shanks comment on enforcement,I quite agree with you I would say it paints a very poor picture of Newcastle`s supposedly caring council,basically telling people that the council dont give a f****.

We were told by a certain councillor,that the council have no duty of care to the `taxi drivers` they license,it would appear that is equally so of the public we carry.
Rather makes a person ashamed to live and work in this great area of ours….dont it.
I would say `Hang Your Heads in Shame….Newcastle City Council.

[Reply]
Comment by Andy Warhol on 30 October 2008:

Well the next meeting for Newcastle Hackney Drivers is being held after the judgement.

Now we were promised by Mr. O’Brien AND the police that there would be continued enforcement (Mr. O’Brien) and a 3 month sting on the rougue taxi drivers parking up inside the city centre over the summer. Now, that sting lasted 1 NIGHT !!! As well as the councils ‘enforcement’. And what happened to the 10 or so that were caught flimping by the council that night? Well they certainly have not been named and shamed as NT council did in the Chronicle before Christmas. There even still on the road!!!

Now the Police and O’Brien both promised that attending these meetings would be a regular thing, whats the odds that neither has the bottle to attend and answer WHY THEY LIE TO US? WHY THEY CONTINUE TO TREAT US AS FOOLS? WHAT HAPPEND TO THE 3 MONTHS? AND WHAT HAPPENED TO ALL THESE NUMPTYS CAUGHT FLIMPING!!!

but for me those couple of weeks in the summer were a true indication of how much flimping goes on. i mean we had ques on ranks on a friday night, we dont even get that at christmas now !!! And how few private hire were parked up at the regular haunts. Ahhhh good times …

Now people are to say we are to ‘box drivers in’, but WHY? WHY should WE risk damage to our vehicles? Getting into an argument or fight? Waste our time on a friday night?

It’s not our problem it’s newcastle licencing who are paid a substainal amunt to sort this out.

Also Mr. O’Brien promised More enforcement and total change in pollicing of the city centre from enforcement come october. Whats happend?

I’LL F*****G TELL YOU WHAT, 5.30 PM WE ARE PARKED ON THE BIGG MARKET RANK WAITING FOR A FARE WHEN A TRAFFIC WARDEN COMES AND SHIFTS US OFF BECAUSE IT DOES NOT BECOME A RANK TILL 6.30 PM AND 20 VANS MIGHT SUDDENLY TURN UP AND WANT TO UNLOAD!!! GUES WHAT SHE SAID, PARK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AND I CANT DO ANYTHING THERE!!! LAUGHABLE, YET SITTING ACROSS THE ROAD ON A 2 CAR TAXI RANK WAS A CITY WORKS VAN EATING HIS SCRAN TALKING TO HIS PAL, DID OUT GET SAID TO HIM? NO CHANCE.

NEWCASTLE ENFOCEMENT WAKE UP, I AS WELL AS MANY OTHERS WILL BE ATTENDING THE NEXT MEETING WHENEVER THAT MAY BE, HOPEFULLY SOONER RATHER THAN LATER, TO CALL FOR MORE BLOCKADES AND IF YOU DONT DO YOUR JOBS AFTER THOSE, WE WONT DO OURS AND STRIKE. EVEN 80 % WOULD BE A MASSIVE SUCCESS ON A SATURDAY NIGHT!!!

ps Mr. Shanks, you had, conviently, when stephen visited, that you are taking on ‘enfocement’ to check BL cars. yet when your pointed out the blatant flimping of your cars you pass the buck and try to hammer home that berwick enforce n/cle, yet I who works down there 6 nights as well as every other haq driver has never seen this vehicle on the road or pulling any Berwick vehicles over.

do this magic car also appear in stockton, liverpool, wales aswell?
Mr. Shanks, you are a man with an answer to everything, but not always the right one.

[Reply]
Comment by Captain Cab on 30 October 2008:

190 Joe

You dont do flimping and you apparently also dont adhere to your byelaws, did the guy from Berwick ask what you were doing so far away from home? And point out that according to your byelaws you should return to your nearest rank?

Thought not…..

PR exercise nothing more nothing less, I hope there next sh*t leaves them in Newcastle General.

regards

CC

[Reply]
Comment by Captain Cab on 30 October 2008:

http://www.justice.gov.uk/docs/manslaughterhomicideact07.pdf

Now this act is really good

“The Act sets out a new offence for convicting an organisation where a gross failure in the way activities were managed or organised results in a person’s death.”

CC

[Reply]
Comment by NTH on 31 October 2008:

Reading the act supplied by Captain Cab: http://www.justice.gov.uk/docs/manslaughterhomicideact07.pdf

I would like to know if a Council is able to be prosecuted if someone dies as a result of an accident in a Taxi where the Taxi is not as safe as it could be? i.e. sliding doors that don’t lock, or a rear end collision with no escape route for a disabled passenger. Being as the Council is responsible for passing vehicles for use as a Taxi! Maybe some Licensing officers or Councillors would like to comment….probably not!

[Reply]
Comment by ian shanks on 31 October 2008:

andy

you are a very angry man !!! now that everyone is starting to realize the council has much to answer for which i have known for many a year in my dealings with them, this is why i would like to see things changed and while you don’t like it the Berwick situation, although not good !! was hopefully the tool to that MAY have force some sort of change long term, other than the weaknesses, inconsistencys and awkwardness of our local councils !!!

ps andy i am not the font of all knowledge and don’t profess to be and my answers are not correct for everyone. so on this i agree with you.
but calm down mate ! i have been there and it does not do you any good !!!

john i will look into that on my return on Monday unless you wish to ring office and ask for frank or tino to look at where that plate should have been at the time he was seen !!! or i welcome you to the office if you so wish !! if he has flimpped he will suffer i assure you !!

[Reply]
Comment by SC on 31 October 2008:

Andy, if you want the council to react to the out come of your meeting, you should invite the press along, you’ll probably get more response once the public have been made aware of the situation and any planed action

[Reply]
Comment by Captain Cab on 1 November 2008:

NTH

I think you’ll find the LA may have a ‘get out’ as any decision they reach is different to that of a company and open to scrutiny.

However, I suppose if they have had good warning of a scenario and something does occur to which they could have taken steps to rectify, then at that stage they may well be liable?

Maybe in the case of Berwick plates, a council cannot offer the control it is empowered with, its been warned of the potential consequences yet still fails to act. Perhaps then the LA could be considered negligent and fall within the category.

Perhaps its different with a company hence the statement ‘gross failure the way its activities are managed’

It is a true can of worms and I would wager many ambulance chasers will be rubbing their hands.

CC

[Reply]
Comment by Sam Harrington on 2 November 2008:

Everyone has a duty of care, wether it be a company or local authority or an individual. It can be complex and confusing, however speaking from experience, i can tell you if a local authority is aware of some potenial hazard, in my mothers case, a broken/raised paving stone which she tripped over, then they are liable. If they were unaware of it and they have a reasonable inspection procedure then they can “get out” of it as Captain Cab puts it. Fortunately in my mothers case someone had previously reported the paving so they had no choice but to pay up, even though they dragged it out as long as they could.

Here is a good site i found which is heavy reading but explains things in a language us mere mortals can understand:-
http://www.kevinboone.com/lawglos_DutyOfCare.html

Sorry to prattle on, but i dont know if individuals in a local authority can be held liable as in companies. One case sticks in my mind, the sad affair involving a huge inflatable work of art which blew away and killed someone, if i remember rightly the “artist” got taken to court for manslaughter, heres my point, surely the local authority must have given planning or some other kind of permission, did they get taken to court ? i don’t know the answer by the way.

[Reply]
Comment by Captain Cab on 2 November 2008:

Dont think your prattling on Sam….a well constructed and informative post!

CC

[Reply]
Comment by Coach on 3 November 2008:

Hi All

I’m a BL driver with a Berwick plate (Why the Berwick plate? I have a small problem with the Newcastle test and can get no help taking it)

I respect the views of everyone on this site. I believe you all have points that are valid to you; however most points are complaints about individuals, companies, groups or authorities. No one comes forward with a solution, I’m not saying I have one, I have my own ideas.

I will say this: I work primarily the west end, I do ok at BL so don’t need to flimp and value the Berwick plate I possess.
I have been checked by the Berwick car twice in the last 3 months (all ok) I have seen BL cars flimp and lots of NPH cars flimp, and have even seen Newcastle Haq’s make off with my fare’s, these drivers have to live with themselves, and the chance of being punished for their actions (I hope they all get caught).

On the subject of locality tests, in this day and age I agree with the use of sat nav, I use mine all the time, and am sure the customer feels happier with them regulating the route you take, and ultimately the cost of the trip.

I enjoyed visiting the site, Keep Posting.

Regards……

[Reply]
Comment by SC on 3 November 2008:

Sam, the artist got taken to court for manslaughter because he was the designer and he didn’t take key factors into account which would effect the characteristics of his structure in hot weather, the same as an architect would if a building collapsed due to a design fault. The LA would always fall back on the Vehicle Type Approval and ISO Certification to shift liability

[Reply]
Comment by tc on 4 November 2008:

Coach if you had a problem with the Newcastle locality test & obviously by your comments you do, you arnt fit to drive a taxi wether p/H or hack, untill you can its a good enough system for all them drivers that have took one to work leagally in town or N/tyneside so why not you , you joke,,,MR Wilson We`er still thinking of you….

[Reply]
Comment by thelighthousekeeper on 4 November 2008:

I have been reading with interest the latest comments on here about the 22 page Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007 (c.19)and in the Schedules Section of the Act there is a list of Government Departments etc who can be taken to court for “breaches in the Act”

I also read the posting on here about the young lad that died falling from the Doblo and that incident, if memory serves me right it happened on the last night of March 1 week before the new Act came into force althought the young lad did not die until after the Act had come into force meaning this new Act could not be applied.

I am sure there are others who remember the Hartlepool Case of the Disabled person who was crushed when his electric wheelchair fell off the rear loading ramp because no safety guards were used that would have stopped the wheelchair falling off the rear lift.
I think the Council the Contractor and the Driver were all fined because of breaches of “health and Safety” in that case something like £10,000 pounds meaning the Council can be found to liable.

The big question about private hire thought is this, the 1976 Act is crystal clear in Section 46(d)and (e) that you need a Section 55 Operator Licence to be able to accept a Section 48 booking and a Section 51 Drivers Licence along with a Section 54 Drivers Badge. So how does a driver of a Section 48 vehicle become a Sub-Contractor if they themselves do not have a Section 55 because it is only the people listed in the box on the Section 55 Operator Licence that are Hereby Licenced under that Operator Licence for those vehicles that they have signed to say they are liable for on the Section 48 vehicle licence only.
Therefore only people named in a Section 55 as Hereby Licensed by North Tyneside Council are therfore covered as people who can Sub-Contract a hiring from another Section 55 Operator Licence Holder?

This is not a piece of pooh stirring, as here are the facts!

North Tyneside has 27 Section 55 Operator Licences in force and the breakdown is 17 Sole Trader only one person Named as Hereby Licensed as an operator, 4 Partnership Hereby Licenced Operators and 6 Limited Company Hereby Licensed Operators and those Operator Licenses in law can only cover the people named in the box on the Licence and nobody else by law.

Guess what, there are about 850 (Section 48) Private Hire Vehicles in North Tyneside and with only 27 Section 55 Operator Licences then that means loads of illegal Sub-Contracting is taking place because any Owner Driver who is not listed on a Section 55 in the Hereby Licence Box could find they fail the “Relevant duty of Care” as there paperwork is not in order lawfully to accept a booking and transport those passengers.

In our Industry to many people say the law does not apply to me, but one day if the much wanted one tier licensing was to arrive then Section 48 Drivers would find themselves as PAYE EMPLOYEES not SELF-EMPLOYED SUB-CONTRACTORS as they are now and is that what everybody wants?

Think before you wish for something you do not really want is all I am saying here!

Take Care All.

[Reply]
Comment by Stephen (FKA Central Enth.) on 4 November 2008:

Nice to see you back Mr Lighthouse keeper, but the vehicle in which that poor Lad fell out of was a North Tyneside Hackney Carriage, not one of the 850 Private Hire vehicles you mentioned!.
On this issue I don’t believe that a Taxi driver of any badge has a duty of care in these circumstances, if a young able bodied person gets in your vehicle and your begin your journey, the customer should have the sense to remain seated until the vehicle stops!, what happened their could happen to anyone of us regardless of what we drive and who we work for, the Evening Chronicle comment was very judgemental, what they are saying is why did a decent Lad fall from a Taxi, so if he was a drug ridden Chav, that incident would be OK??, I always remember two years ago over the festive period I was working for a Coastal office that put a £2 surcharge on their very low fares for the main festive days. I picked up a GP and he really kicked off about the surcharge to a point that I though he was going to throw a punch!
Everyone should know better what Alcohol does to you!
Regards
Stephen

[Reply]
Comment by SC on 4 November 2008:

Coach are you admin from the Blue Line message board trying to wind people up

regards….?

[Reply]
Comment by jimmy d on 5 November 2008:

so the court case……………….what happened or are we still waiting for an outcome?

[Reply]
Comment by Sam Harrington on 5 November 2008:

Thanks Captain Cab for your support. And thanks SC for your easy to understand post.

And welcome back thelighthousekeeper, i am in danger of being sectioned (mental health act. 1980 whenever) because i am trying to wrap my head around all your sections and sub-sections etc. ffs can you not put it in plain English !!!! (your interpretation). And if you are wrong now and again so what, we will forgive you.

[Reply]
Comment by SC on 5 November 2008:

thelighthousekeeper, with ref to the lad who fell out of the taxi, the act would only be able to be applied if the car or its design was at fault, but as this has never been stated it can only be assumed it was of his own action the door opened,to establish who was to blame for this accident the courts judge it by “the actions of a reasonable man” would a reasonable man think the would be risk of injury if he was to exiting a moving vehicle? yes he would, so the man would be to blame for his own actions, not the driver, council or the vehicle designer.

[Reply]
Comment by john dodds on 5 November 2008:

just to comment on Stephens comment,(FKA Central Enth)
As drivers,whether of rented cars or owners,we all have a duty of care towards our passengers,be they (chavs,druggies,or human).
We have a legal reponsibility to ensure that persons safety whilst they are travelling in our vehicle.
However,having had a passenger fall out of my cab,lickily at low road speed,so no major injuries sustained,the solicitor i had delt with made the comment that,provided the driver takes all resonable steps to ensure the safety of the passenger,the driver would not be held liable for injuries caused by the passengers fool hardy actions.
The only thing I was asked,had I made sure the passenger was secured by the seat belt.
This is as we all know now a legal requirement,and in some cases it falls on the driver to make sure it is worn.
As I told my solicitor,and also the accident investigator,my female passenger had been wearing the belt when she got in,therefore I had done everything reasonable to ensure safety.
If this young lad has fallen out of the cab,due to his own actions,the driver should not beheld responsible for the accident.
The only question I was asked was,did I at any time think to use the central locking to prevent the person falling out.
My answer was `No`,the reason being,as case in Glasgow a year or so ago,when a driver,who had trouble getting paid,had locked the guys in his cab and was taking them to the Police station,was subsequently done for `false imprisonment and kidnap`,both charges later dropped,but not before the driver was locked up for a short time.
That was with male passengers,what would certain media/press or public have made of that had it been women.
We all have this duty of care,we must be very carefull to excercise it properly to avoid setting into trouble ourselves.

[Reply]
Comment by tc on 5 November 2008:

You have totaly confused Mr Newton there lighthouse Keeper with the bare facts 20 years in the job aswell ( mind that is if he has a peep at this website regularly)! you`ll find steven the doblo in question actually belongs to central taxis , & not the driver,when it comes to Taxi`s wether it be P/H or HACK, people & press are always jugde mental some thing we have to live with when being in the trade.

[Reply]
Comment by admin on 5 November 2008:

jimmy d….No News on Court case as yet…Still lots of Rumours though…Keep Watching this space.

[Reply]
Comment by p on 5 November 2008:

judgement has been made in favour of newcastle…..released this morning……trying to get more info…….berwick beware…….although not illegal future and present plates should work in own area……..does tha get us any further forward……..watch this space!
http://www.upfrontmag.co.uk

[Reply]
Comment by derwentside hack on 5 November 2008:

How will this effect derwentside hacks working in the newcastle/north tyneside private hire circuit?

[Reply]
Comment by adamski on 5 November 2008:

how long before… how you say…. ze sheet heet ze fann?

[Reply]
Comment by me on 5 November 2008:

heard berwick have lost!!!!!! all plates got to work there own area any word yet thanks

[Reply]
Comment by Captain Cab on 5 November 2008:

http://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWHC/Admin/2008/2369.html

[Reply]
Comment by j miller on 5 November 2008:

just found this on the bbc website
A judge has told Berwick Council to rethink its policy on taxi licences after Tyneside cabbies protested over an influx of rival operators.

Newcastle City Council brought the High Court case, complaining Berwick Council was issuing hundreds of licences which could be used anywhere in the UK.

The town has 672 licensed Hackney carriages, one for every 40 residents.

Berwick Council has now been advised by the court that is should only license taxis intending to operate locally.

The court heard the streets of Newcastle were flooded with Berwick-licensed taxis doing private hire work.

‘Local in character’

The border town’s cheaper and easier regime had seen a rapid increase from just 46 licensed Hackney carriages in April 2006, the judge was told.

The court heard Berwick licensed cabs were common in town’s across the North East and some drivers lived as far afield as the West Midlands, Wales, Liverpool, and Surrey.

Judge Christopher Symons QC rejected Berwick Council’s arguments that it is obliged by law to issue a Hackney carriage license to any applicant, so long as they and their vehicle are “fit”.

He said the taxi-licensing regime, which dates back to 1847, was designed to protect the public and was essentially “local in character”.

He said: “The licensing system should operate in such a way that the authority licensing Hackney carriages is the authority for the area in which those vehicles are generally used.”

“If the Hackney carriages are used in areas remote from Berwick, enforcement will be very difficult and impracticable.”

Judge Symons said his ruling would remain at the authority’s discretion.

A spokesman for Newcastle City Council said it was “delighted” with the outcome of the case.

Berwick Council said it was now preparing a new policy in light of the ruling.

[Reply]
Comment by cheekybacktofronthead on 5 November 2008:

I see it as Stalemate…
Judge says he can see a moral argument but legally Berwick isnt
breaking law. Whilst they have a moral duty they legally can ask where a driver is going to work but have no legal grounds to refuse him a license on the grounds he s working out of area.

Judge only brought in moral side to make berwick pay half costs.

Business as usual, no change……

Two councils just made some solicitor s bank manager very happy because they can t sit around a table and work out an across the board system/compromise……… Ridiculous!!!!!!!!

[Reply]
Comment by SC on 5 November 2008:

P, from what they have said on the news Judge Symons said his ruling would remain at the authority’s discretion, so it been a waste of time unless Berwick change its policy to stop licensing people from out of its area

[Reply]
Comment by thelighthousekeeper on 5 November 2008:

In reponse to Sam Harrington wanting me to put my last post in simple terms.

Look at it like this Sam you need 3 Types of Private Hire Licences to be totally lawful and they are as follows;
1. Section 55 Operator Licence with your Name Sam Harrington in the HEREBY LICENCE BOX as this makes you a Sole Trader.
2. Section 48 Private Hire Vehicle Licence in your Name Sam Harrington as the OWNER of the Vehicle or Listed as a Person who is in control of the Letting on hire of the vehicle if not the owner.
3. Section 51 Private Hire Drivers Licence with your Name Sam Harrington to be licensed to drive the private hire vehicle.

Now if you have all 3 Licences in your name Sam Harrington you are a Sole Trader Private Hire Operator and can lawfully SUB-CONTRACT as a Self-Employed Person because you Sam Harrington are HEREBY LICENSED to accept hirings to carry passengers probably with your own telephone number and trading address.

If however the persons name who is HEREBY LICENSED IN THE BOX on the Section 55 OPERATOR LICENCE does not appear on the Section 48 Private Hire Vehicle Licence then they do not have the right to control the letting on hire of that vehicle meaning the Section 48 Vehicle Propietor does not have the right to accept any hiring by vertue of not having an Operator Licence allowing Him to accept hirings to transport passengers, meaning you must be employed just like the bus driver who is a PAYE EMPLOYEE under VOSA RULES, as you yourself do not have any Operator Licence with your name listed on it currently in force.

Now SAM HARRINGTON where in the 1976 Act is SELF-EMPLOYMENT mentioned at any point anywhere, because it was never the 1976 Acts intention to create a CASHCOW for a SECTION 55 OPERATOR LICENCE HOLDER!

Section 46(c) even states no person being the proprietor of a private hire vehicle licensed under this part of this Act shall employ as the driver thereof for the purpose of any hiring any person who does not have a current licence under the said section 51;

Section 46(d) states no person shall in a controlled district operate any vehicle as a private hire vehicle without having a current licence under section 55 of the Act;

Section46(e) states no person licensed under the said section 55 shall in a controlled district operate any vehicle as a private hire vehicle-
(i) if for the vehicle a current licence under the said section 48 is not in force; or
(ii) if the driver does not have a current licence under the said section 51.

As I said earlier SAM the ones who want a ONE TIER SYSTEM should really examine all the facts, because before any change could happen the ACT would be read by the Government and the CASHCOW SITUATION would not be allowed to continue and the thick Council Officers who do not know how to read the 1976 Act properly would be replaced with a SYSTEM that was regulated by properly trained Transport CPC HOLDERS or HIGHER DEGREE LEVEL TRANSPORT PORTFOLIO HOLDERS.

Hope this was clear enough for you SAM and how long will it be before we need a DRIVER CPC which is the next step-up from the NVQ that colleges are promoting us to have to achieve at present?

Take Care Sam and All.

[Reply]
Comment by yt on 5 November 2008:

Berwick Borough Council will cease to exist after March. What happens then?

[Reply]
Comment by p on 5 November 2008:

the thing is that berwick have hid behind the fact that they said they can’t refuse to issue ‘out of town plates’ This judgement means that is no longer the case. So common sense should prevail from now on……..

[Reply]
Comment by Captain Cab on 5 November 2008:

I think p is right.

The judge has given Berwick Council a honourable get out and told them they can refuse applications where they believe the license wont be used for the purposes it is issued.

i.e. to serve the public of Berwick.

Amazing what trouble this LO seems to have created for his council aint it.

CC

[Reply]
Comment by Alan on 5 November 2008:

5 weeks ago i put my application in to Berwick council for a hack badge to work at Blue Line (still awaiting criminal record check). As i am a just starting off on the taxis i obviously chose the easy option and also because i have a Ford Tourneo and was advised this would not be accepted by North Tyneside or Newcastle councils.I would just like to know a simple yes or no if all this court carry on is going to effect me starting work in the next couple of weeks??

[Reply]
Comment by admin on 6 November 2008:

Alan: I think you were poorly advised,especially as the court case was just about starting 5 weeks ago. I think you should be on the phone to David Wilson first thing in the morning..you may have a bit trouble getting through. I don’t know what you mean by easy option. You go to your local authority,get a car that they will allow,apply for a badge and all that goes with it and hey presto! Just like hundreds of Taxi Drivers before you over the last 30 or 40 years you become a Taxi Driver!

[Reply]
Comment by Alan on 6 November 2008:

Admin,
Do you know of any Ford Tourneo’s (9 seat minibus so seats cant be moved) which is plated North Tyneside or Newcastle?. I was told if my application was in before a decision was made then it was likely i would be fine (many drivers told me this). As for the easy option i am not currently working and i thought i would escape the test and try and get on the road asap, and save money. It is also not as easy as “get a car they will allow” when the car was bought new only a year ago on finance and that option is not affordable!!, also when its under un-limited mileage warranty for 5 years thats another benafit for me. All i asked was can i go to work for Blue Line hopefully in the next couple of weeks with my Berwick badge, yes or no??????

[Reply]
Comment by Alan on 6 November 2008:

Can i go to work for blue line with my berwick badge in a couple of weeks hopefully???? Thats all i want to know.

Admin i typed a rather long reply but it did not post and can’t be arsed to re-type.

[Reply]
Comment by Sam Harrington on 6 November 2008:

Dear Mr thelighthousekeeper,

you are stil babbling away about this section and that section.. so no… it is still not clear, if you have something to say, then say it in plain English. Do you mean private hire operaters in north tyneside are operating illegally and if so.. why ? if you/we have concerns we can arrange a meeting with the local authority, mr spewton is the contact i do believe, if he is too junior i will arrange a meeting with joanne lees.

[Reply]
Comment by admin on 6 November 2008:

Alan your question can’t be answered here,this is how you arrived where you are,ask the Licensing Authority that you applied to…only they can answer your question,not a bunch of Taxi Drivers online nor Ian Shanks but the people who took your money and promised you the Earth!

[Reply]
Comment by Sam Harrington on 6 November 2008:

Alan, try finding a “lamp” and rubbing it, hopefully a genie will pop out

[Reply]
Comment by Stephen (FKA Central Enth.) on 6 November 2008:

Alan mate!
First of all their is a North Tyneside licensed Ford Torneo, it’s a Hack as well, and I think their is a Private Hire one kicking around on the School run circuits!.

I am NT licensed and was Berwick licensed, Berwick is not a easy cheap option, let me educate you a little!
First of all Berwick CRB their drivers every year, so that’s a extra £38 every time you renew that useless badge!
Secondly they have “Satelite Garages”, this meaning that you can get your Van tested at a approved MOT centre..a private one!, I know of two in North Tyneside, one in North Shields and one in non other than Wallsend!, NOW MY FRIEND IF YOU BOTHERED TO GET YOUR VAN TESTED IN NORTH TYNESIDE AND IT’S ONLY ONE YEAR OLD IT WILL PROBABLY PASS AS LONG AS YOU REMOVE A SEAT, THEN IF IT DID FAIL, IT’S A GENUINE FAILURE, WHAT I MEAN BY THAT IS NORTH TYNESIDE TESTING STATION DOES NOT CARRY OUT REPAIRS, SO IT’S NOT IN THEIR BENEFIT TO FAIL IT!!!, WHEN MY OWN CAR PASSED A NT TEST LAST YEAR WITHOUT A PROBLEM, GUESS WHAT IT FAILED IT’S BERWICK TEST THE NEXT DAY, I WAS TOLD IT NEEDED £500 WORTH OF WORK!!!!…BULLSH*T!, THE TESTER THOUGHT I WAS JUST A BANDIT AND HAD NO OTHER CHOICE, IF WE DON’T REPAIR IT, YOU DON’T WORK!!!!..KIND OF ATTITUDE.
Now as you can read other Drivers are not happy with all these extra Cars, so when you are picking up at nightspots you will surely be approached by a proper hack to see if you are flimpin or not!, I had paint thrown at my first Bandit wagon!!!
Is this all EASY to you eh???????????
Customers are now being made aware of what Cars are what etc.
Berwick Cars look stupid, if you play the game, you will be sitting their in a big Bus with Taxi written on it, a Hackney plate on the Back….and don’t forget to screw it on, not stick in in your back window like that idiot does with the Torneo that does NORTH TYNESIDE School runs in his Berwick Torneo & calls himself Gemini Taxis, and the big flashing top sign with ….Taxi on it!, a Taxi that can’t ply for Hire????, try telling that to a Drunken heavy handed geezer pulling your door handles off in the Bigg Market on a Saturday Night or South Parade at the Coast!
Sorry can’t be ars*ed with any more examples!
EASY….Look this term up in your Dictionary…it won’t match bloody Berwick
Good luck in your new Career
PS Blueline is Good earning, you have the right facts about that!
Regards
Stephen

[Reply]
Comment by Alan on 6 November 2008:

Admin,
Ive usually found that you get more help from current drivers as you can never speak to anyone at the council because they are all either in a meeting or having a shit!!!!. Cheers anyway.

[Reply]
Comment by admin on 6 November 2008:

Alan, Read the previous comment on this thread by ‘Stephen’

[Reply]

toomanytaxis

A BlueLine Drivers Viewpoint.

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