|
Ever since the UK
went into what was originally referred to as a slowdown
before officially entering a recession, taxi drivers have
spoken of the need to keep our numbers down. Some writers in
trade papers have come up with the phrase Quickie Knowledge
and inferred that some within the hierarchy of our business had
recommended it. Well certainly no one from Dial-a-Cab has
suggested that, although Call Sign has been
castigated in the past for suggesting that KoL applicants should
not be held back if they are ready. Few pass out in 15 months
anymore, but if they are good enough, why shouldn’t they? By the
same token, if the applicants just can’t get to grips with it,
then tough. We have an image of being the best and that must be
maintained. But our view has always been that our numbers are
dwindling too rapidly compared to private hire. What Call Sign has been concerned about over the years was that by not increasing our numbers by any significant number, while private hire goes through the roof, we could be overrun and become purely tourist attractions. If that happens, who would want to go on the Knowledge, because the same scenario would undoubtedly lead to open house on London’s streets. PH would eventually pick up street work legally. Yes, the more taxi drivers we have, the harder it would be at present. But we have to look to the future and have some sort of plan, because we are standing still and eventually our numbers will begin to decrease. That can only lead to a lingering death. We asked Transport for London to provide us with figures and we will allow you, our readers, to make up your minds on whether we should |
Call Sign looks at taxis and private hire and asks the question... Are taxis being swamped out of existence? |
|
 An FX3 and the Dodo bird. Anything in common with today? |
||
 stay
as we are or look for another way to keep in the forefront of
taxi transportation.A TfL spokesperson told Call Sign: "London’s taxi drivers are famous worldwide and we always encourage and seek to support anyone who is interested in becoming a taxi driver to take the Knowledge and join the ranks. In recent years we have been particularly focused on increasing the diversity of drivers and encouraging more women to enter the trade." While we do not disbelieve TfL, the figures tell a different story. In 2001, there were 100 licensed PH operators, no drivers had yet been licensed. In that year, there were 23,500 taxi drivers. By 2009, the number of licensed operators has reached 2752. In 2004, the first licensed PH drivers were coming through and the official number for that year showed 7,000 of them. In that same year, there were 24,000 |
licensed taxi drivers. Within
12 months the figure for PH had risen from 7,000 to 19,000 while
we had gone from 24,000 to 24,700. 2006 and PH were still going up. They increased from 19,000 to 31,100. We remained at 24,700. 2007 saw PH reach 38,000 while our numbers actually dropped to 24,600. 12 months on and PH added yet another 10,000+ drivers to their ranks (up to 48,300) while the taxi side returned to 24,700. So that takes us to 2009. We have added another 137 drivers (24,837) while the opposition – and that’s what they are – added yet another 10,000+ and reached a staggering 58,904 drivers. In plain figures, since 2004 private hire have increased from 7,000 up to today’s 58,904 drivers while licensed taxis have gone from 2004’s 24,000 up to 24,837. Is there anyone out there who can see why I am worried? Your letters for publication - agree or disagree - are welcome, because the word Dodo is currently springing to mind. My thanks to TfL for providing the numbers...
Alan Fisher |
|
|
DaC’s Lee leaves Bedfont Green |
Just
months after helping Bedfont Green to make history when
they were crowned Combined Counties
League Champions following a 4-2 win over title rivals Epsom &
Ewel, the love affair ended when Lee Pearce (J71)
told Call Sign that he was moving on.He had previously lost his place after one poor match, but when his replacement began shipping goals yet Lee wasn’t recalled, he guessed all wasn’t well. When Combined Counties team, Egham, enquired whether he’d be interested in playing for them, Lee jumped at the chance of first team football again. On top of that, Lee has also been asked to help train the goalkeepers at Ryman Premier division team, Hendon. "I’m really excited about the future," Lee told us. "Not only do I get to play with a young side, but I’m also involved with one of non-leagues biggest teams, Hendon. Perhaps even better, both managers value my opinion and that means a lot to me." Good luck Lee... |
 |
Powered by NetXPosure |
| Copyright 1997-2010 Dial-A-Cab Ltd, All rights reserved. |