Knowledge Facts and Figures…
I recently attended a meeting at the PCO where the latest figures were released and it really does make interesting reading. Regarding the Knowledge of London (KoL), it would appear that although there are 7475 applicants on the KoL, there are only 1323 applicants actually making appearances. Consequently, it would appear that there are 6152 applicants either waiting for their first appearance or who have dropped out of the system, yet who are still registered as KoL applicants.
   The number of students actually making appearances (1323) is actually a decrease of 10% on the previous year, so it seems apparent that numbers are dwindling and this is borne out by the fact that although 589 new Green Badges licences were issued last year, there were 643 licences either surrendered or the owners must be assumed to have retired or passed away. This amounted to a net loss of 54 Green Badge drivers in London.
   A first glance might indicate that this situation means more work for those of us that remain in this industry – but is it? You know from reports that I’ve written in the past that this situation is becoming prevalent – but why are our numbers dwindling? Is there some agenda that we know nothing about?
   Before my friend and colleague Steve Mac at the LTDA says that I am advocating ‘flooding’ London with Taxi drivers’ – no I’m not, I am just endeavouring to get our industry to take the long-term view to what is actually taking place and as a contrast, what is happening in the Private Hire industry.
   At the time of writing, there are 16,548 fully licensed Private Hire drivers with the PCO currently processing another 4,000 applications as we speak. There are also another 13,000 

pre-registered drivers that will be invited to formally apply to be licensed in the near future. As you can see, the Private Hire industry  is now larger than our own industry in London and this is qualified by the fact that there are already 32,756 licensed Private Hire Vehicles. There are 2,299 Private Hire premises that can operate licensed vehicles with another 386 operators waiting to be licensed. Our industry is shrinking whilst the Private Hire sector is growing and already 50% larger than we are. They also happen to be more organised than we are and it will not be too long before the ‘big players’ in that industry start setting the pace with the authorities.

Return of Exterior Signage on PH?
I believe one of the biggest threats that faced our industry was of exterior signage that was going to be permitted on the exterior of Private Hire vehicles. Our industry did a tremendous amount of lobbying to MPs and in fact anyone who would listen about the dangers that this situation could pose to members of the public. There is not any doubt in my mind that exterior signage on Private Hire vehicles would be viewed by the public as a means of recognising and "authenticating" the validity of them. The licence aspect would be totally ignored.
   It would also give the more unscrupulous members of our society the opportunity to attach bogus signage to their vehicles in order to mislead by convincing the more vulnerable members of the public that they were in fact

legitimate. We were so successful with our lobbying that we even managed to persuade the Private Hire operators that it was not in their interest to allow signage on their vehicles and the vast majority of them agreed with us. So exterior signage became illegal…
   But as the saying goes – that was then! You can guess what has now happened - the operators have changed their minds and the authorities have now agreed that the signage issue will come under review later this year. That’s power for you! Perhaps the operators have realised that if all the vehicles were to carry signage, their drivers would not be totally dependant on them for all their work and that the drivers could subsidise their income by ‘nicking’ the odd job here and there off the street – anarchy will prevail. This review is a very serious situation, and an extremely big threat to us. We should all start lobbying now - I know I have. Remember Steve Mac, you heard it here first…!

Conditions of Fitness Review
Finally, I know many of you have been awaiting the outcome of the review into the Conditions of Fitness. Obviously the outcome could possibly influence your thinking when it comes to the purchase of a new vehicle. I have been informed that no further data is now required in order to conclude the review, however, one or two work studies still had to be completed but they were due to be with ‘the powers that be’ by 19 April. Consequently, a decision regarding the vehicle is imminent.
   Personally, I will be very surprised if a decision is announced prior to the General Election on 5 May, as the authorities usually enter a state of purdah before an election is held.

Brian Rice
Chairman, Dial-a-Cab