The rank has been organised by the City of London Corporation, in partnership with Taxi Marshalls.com and the Public Carriage Office

OTHER MARSHALLED RANKS IN OPERATION

Beckenham
High Street (outside M&S), BR3 1AY

Friday and Saturdays 22:30 – 02:30

Bromley Town Centre
Market Square (outside Costa Coffee)
BR1 1NF
Friday and Saturdays 22:00 – 02:00

Cranbourn Street
(outside Aberdeen Angus Steakhouse)
WC2H 7AA
Fridays and Saturdays 22:00 – 03:00

Kingston Town Centre
Clarence Street
(outside of Oceana nightclub), KT1 1QP
Wednesday, Friday and Saturdays 22:30 – 03:30

Liverpool Street Station
(outside McDonalds), EC2M 7PR
Wednesday, Thursday and Fridays 22:00 – 02:00

Romford – Eastern Road
(outside OneThreeOne club), RM1 1NX
Friday and Saturdays 22:30 – 03:30

“TfL, WCC and TOCU have started a 3 week operation to target some of the touting issues discussed at the meeting.”

Whether the operations result in enough touts being taken off the streets to make a difference remains to be seen but at least some action has been forthcoming thanks to the LTDA’s DVD, so well done to those involved.

Billy says: “Please help with this petition, it will be on the No 10 website for almost a year and we would hope to get all the drivers, all their friends and family to sign it. Ipersonally, will be printing cards with the petition address on and handing them out to interested customers.”
If you want to sign the petition, you will find it at http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/blackcabsunite/

Or write to: Consultation – Regulations Review, The Royal Parks,

The Old Police House, Hyde Park, London W2 2UH

Closing date for comments is 1 May 2009.

Alan Matthews was closely involved with the transfer of taxi testing at Penton Street to the SGS centres.

“We are pleased to see the Government is looking at almost every area of concern we have about private clamping. We would also urge the Home Secretary to make it illegal for clamping firms to charge motorists on private property any more than they would pay in penalties on the public highway for similar infringements”.

The Mercedes-Benz Vito taxi has created more than 50 jobs in Coventry as well as safeguarding many others. Two Coventry companies are also playing a key role in its success story. They are one80, which has designed and developed the Vito Taxi, and Penso, which has been contracted to assemble vehicles at its state-of-the-art production plant. Penso employs 72 people, 50 of whom have been taken on within the last year and are assigned specifically to turning out the new Mercedes. Its factory is now working flat out, while the Vito Taxi’s launch has also safeguarded many other jobs at parts suppliers across the West Midlands.

The research and development work undertaken by one80 is key to the vehicle’s popularity. The company’s technicians designed and engineered an innovative steering rear axle that makes the Vito every bit as manoeuvrable as the LTI black cab with the famous 25ft turning circle. “We’re delighted with the success of the Mercedes Vito and it’s particularly pleasing now to have sold our first vehicle in Coventry,” declares Roy McMaster, Head of Sales & Marketing at one80. “Not only is this city a key market for taxis, it also remains the home of the UK’s motor manufacturing industry.”

Acknowledging the fact that the LTI taxi is also manufactured in Coventry, Mr McMaster continues: “One of the criticisms I’ve heard is that this German taxi is coming along and doing a British company out of jobs. Well, we’re a British company ourselves and we’ve brought new jobs to Coventry, as well as putting new business the way of numerous suppliers across the region.”

The Vito Taxi is currently being ‘rolled out’ across the UK, via a network of specially trained suppliers, based on the existing Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicle dealer network – Gerard Mann Commercials is among the first of these.

Image Caption: Jas Shergill took delivery of his new Mercedes Vito Taxi from Gerard Mann Van Sales Manager Eddie Humphries, left, and Roy McMaster of One80

For drivers it’s so much not the finding a loo that is so difficult but finding somewhere to park that is within easy distance of a loo and making a payment that is uncomplicated. Low said: “We understand finding a suitable place to stop and use a toilet can be difficult for taxi drivers in central London so we are always looking for ways we can help. We have 33 bays specifically for taxi drivers with a special charge of just £1 per hour, compared with charges to other motorists of up to £4 an hour. This is in addition to the 174 ranks in 130 streets across Westminster where there is space for 828 taxis and they can use one of the Public Carriage Office’s 84 shelter ranks in seven locations near public conveniences and refreshment facilities.

“In the last two years we’ve created six new parking bays just for taxi drivers and two more taxi-only paid parking places are on the way in Shepherd’s Street near to the Piccolo Bar used by some drivers. Drivers can also use one of the 7,000 paid parking bays in Westminster if they pay the charge.”

Westminster City Council reports that it spends £3million a year maintaining its 53 council-run and leased toilet facilities, including 12 temporary units placed outside in the West End every Friday and Saturday night. There are now more public toilets in Westminster than any time in the last 20 years. For the cab trade, it also needs to address the parking. Even when a driver can find a parking space, he then needs a mobile phone and credit card to pay for the space. Drivers just need somewhere to park for a few minutes without the worry of getting a parking ticket.

Editor: Well Mr Low certainly shows his ignorance regarding the laws that govern taxi drivers.  Taxis are not permitted to park on taxi ranks, this is an offence. Paying for parking in Westminster can usually only be made by credit/debit card or by phone, not exactly easy when you don’t own a mobile phone or have a credit/debit card. The coin operated parking meters in both Paddington Street and Bolsover Street have both been taken away and the only way to park is by making payment by card or phone or risk a fine!