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Old February 3rd 08, 05:31 PM posted to uk.rec.cycling,uk.transport.london,uk.rec.driving
Brimstone[_3_] Brimstone[_3_] is offline
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First recorded activity at LondonBanter: Feb 2008
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Default Bus Lanes: Proof Of What We All Knew

MIG wrote:
On Feb 3, 6:06 pm, "Brimstone" wrote:
MIG wrote:
On Feb 3, 4:58 pm, "John Rowland"
wrote:
MIG wrote:


Hailing taxis and having them dart over to the kerb is dangerous
and illegal in any case, regardless of any bus lanes.


It's not dangerous if the driver doesn't do it dangerously. As for
it being illegal ... what *are* you talking about? Are you thinking
of minicabs?


I believe that minicabs can be hired by telephone or from the
office, while taxis can, in addition, be picked up at an authorised
taxi rank.


I'm not aware of any kind of taxi that can legally be hailed in the
street, unless the rules have changed in the last few years.


We all know that people do it, and turning a blind eye to it is all
very well, but changing the rules around bus lanes to accommodate it
is a different matter.


Hackney carriages (taxis) are governed by the TOWN POLICE CLAUSES
ACT 1847. I've found nothing in that to indicate that it's illegal
to hail a taxi.

Cambridgeshire County Council have gone so far as to introduce "taxi
hailing points" in certain areas.


"To give people more choice of where to get a taxi". More choice than
anywhere they like?


My reading of the article suggested that the point provided a known point
where taxi drivers would be likely to find a fare. I didn't seen anything to
suggest that hailing elsewhere was to be banned.

The point was whether bus lane rules should make allowances for dodgy
taxi-hailing behaviour.


I've never witnessed 2dodgy taxi-hailing behaviour". What form does it take?

I am hardly suggesting that punters or taxi drivers should be
prosecuted for hailing and stopping, but I don't see why bus lane
rules should make allowances for it.


Then how else does the intending passenger get into the taxi, unless you're
suggesting that the taxi sits in the middle of the road and the hailer risks
collision with a bus or cyclist by walking out into the road whilst delaying
other traffic?

I am often put at risk by taxis zooming into the kerb in front of me,
whether there's a bus lane or not.


No one is denying that all concerned should exercise proper care and
consideration for other road users.