Morning Jim.
I have been an avid reader of your columns for a number of years now. I am a knowledge student and I am nearing my journey as a student and looking forward to becoming one of London’s finest.
Im confused with what I am reading, firstly if the taxi trade is under so much pressure from outside companies (I.e, UBER, ect) and most of all TFL why are they designating a new refurbished office at 280 Blackfriars Road specifically for the trade/knowledge students?
If the time left for the trade was getting short and they had no interest in us, why would they invest all this money on a new building for it to fail (if that’s TFLs plan). And secondly why is there a brand new taxi building company about to open creating thousands of jobs and a whole fleet of new taxis, surely no manufacturer would go near the Licensed taxi trade – they must of done there research to invest all that money into building new taxis and the millions in a new factory.
As from the start I did say I was confused and taking into account I’m not yet on the front line and get all my taxi information from you guys and LTDA magazine and the snippets I hear on the road.
Anyway if you could answer my question I would really appreciate that and look forward to your continued articles.
Regards
Ross Thomson.
The answer to your first question is simple.
Firstly, let me point out the new building is not at 280 but 230 and is not just for the Taxi trade and Knowledge appointments. It will house the whole of the TPH directorate, plus there will finally be a return to counter services , last seen at Penton Street, before the move to Palestra.
Although TfL are in the process of overseeing the demise of the World's Best Taxi service, they have also expanded the PH fleet to a point whereby the end of 2015 could well see them in the 100,000s. Palestra was no longer viable and another building was deemed necessary.
Your second question is however a paradox.
It's also not a pretty picture with the long term future of our trade, looking extremely bleak.
With the demise of the trade as a viable occupation for full time Taxi owner drivers, Taxi Leaks is of the opinion that the end game of the Mayor/TfL is to whittle 25,000 Taxi drivers down to just a few thousand journey men, all working for garages, hiring out Geelys new TX6 vehicles on half flat at extortionate rates. We will just be there to please the tourists. Account work will go to PH operators and the right to ply for hire will disappear under new measures from the Law Commission.
The remaining Licensed Taxis will only be able to work from designated rank spaces which will be maintained by commercial third parties selling permits.
Taxi driving will no longer be a trade for life and will become more like New York, where drivers come and go, many not bothering to renew licenses once expired. It will become an intransigent job, drivers depending on SatNav, with the knowledge reduced from years to weeks.
Too many drivers get their trade info from a sterilised Trade media source. Too many drivers do not have the apatite for confrontation, for fear of upsetting the public who have shown their loyalty towards our massive investment in purpose built wheelchair accessable vehicles, by deserting us in huge numbers. These same drivers are now on a path of self denial and self blame, stating cut rate cheaper fares, Credit Cards, all black cabs and a dress code is the answer.
The public have been allowed by TfL to desert us and use an illegall instant hail service, who's modus operandi depends heavily on drivers claiming working tax credits and other financial benifits.
Who can possibly make a substanable living charging £33 from Hoop Lane Golders Green to Gatwich?
As for Geely, they are investing in Coventry as a European base, to produce vehicles designed with the whole European market in mind. They will hold London up as the Jewel in the Crown, a model of how the Licensed Taxi market can be manipulated for the greatest profit. Further age limits will be introduced to generate demand for new vehicles with older vehicles sold on to third world markets who also have massive pollution problems.
Don't forget this factory has an output of 34,000 vehicles a year. Geelys priority will be building its Eco-Van, with Taxis as a side line.
This has never been about a solution to pollution. As the Yeo scandal illustrated, its profit generated, for the benifit of certain individuals with financial interests.
