On 2012-04-27 06:28:38 +0000, Roland Perry said:

In message
.

net, at 18:51:47 on Thu, 26 Apr 2012, Neil Williams
remarked:
My view is that taxis of any kind, private hire or Hackney carriage, are
private transport and should not be permitted in bus lanes at all.

They are both "public transport" which helps dissuade people from
driving their own cars into cities, have to find somewhere to park etc.

Taxis and minicabs are not simply public transport, they are a lifeline
to lots of Londers like me, with limited mobility. I can't use stairs,
and escalators are anywhere between challenging and impossible at peak
times.

Hence for some journeys, the only realistic option is a taxi or minicab
- for example my regular runs between Woolwich and King's College
Hospital. I have abandoned the "hospital transport" after my last
experience: for a 10am appointment I was told to be ready at 8am, and
the car finally arrived at 9.45.

In a few months time we will see the redevelopment at Denmark Hill
station complete - at which point I will be able to use it - but until
then the choice is either a very long bus ride [during which standing
at stops does me no good at all] or pick up the phone and have a
licensed vehicle collect me from the gate.

IMO, licensed minicabs should be allowed to use those bus lines which
allow taxis.

But as part of the deal, minicabs should be much more visibly labelled.
I'm not suggesting the absurd 'must be yellow and white" Bournemouth
rules, but something much more visible on front back and sides than the
current disc. [How about decals on front, back and sides – safer for
customers, as well.]

Ken

In article , (Roland Perry)
wrote:

In message
.
net, at 18:51:47 on Thu, 26 Apr 2012, Neil Williams
remarked:
My view is that taxis of any kind, private hire or Hackney carriage, are
private transport and should not be permitted in bus lanes at all.

They are both "public transport" which helps dissuade people from
driving their own cars into cities, have to find somewhere to park
etc.

Taxis provide an important public transport service for all sorts of needs
not met by buses and the tube, especially for the elderly.

The distinction between taxis and hire cars is a tricky judgement for local
authorities. We had the same debate in Cambridge over 30 years ago. But here
the hire cars have taximeters and generally charge the same fares as taxis,
so they are genuine alternatives. This grew up from a limit on the numbers
of hackneys until 2001. The unmet demand was provided by hire cars.

--
Colin Rosenstiel

In message 201204270836042167-ken@nothereuk, at 08:36:04 on Fri, 27
Apr 2012, Bearded remarked:
But as part of the deal, minicabs should be much more visibly labelled.
I'm not suggesting the absurd 'must be yellow and white" Bournemouth
rules, but something much more visible on front back and sides than the
current disc. [How about decals on front, back and sides – safer for
customers, as well.]

Most of the minicab jurisdictions I'm familiar with have special
additional plates, here's an example:

http://www.cambridge.gov.uk/public/p...-plate-265.jpg

Sometimes it's front and rear, but possibly sometimes rear only.
Cambridge's rules also include:

"[the vehicle] must bear a company door signs showing ‘private hire -
pre booked only’."
--
Roland Perry

In message , at 03:29:09
on Fri, 27 Apr 2012, remarked:
The distinction between taxis and hire cars is a tricky judgement for local
authorities. We had the same debate in Cambridge over 30 years ago. But here
the hire cars have taximeters and generally charge the same fares as taxis,

The Cambridge council website says:

"The [private hire] fares are set by the company's meter or quoted in
advance."

It's quite common in that scenario for trips to airports etc to be done
at a fixed fee.
--
Roland Perry

Roland Perry wrote:

But if you aren't familiar with the territory, it's after dark and
raining, and your destination is quite some trek from a tube station,
Taxis can be quite useful.

So can cars . And no-one will take advantage of your lack of knowledge to
rip you off (more of an issue in other cities than London, admittedly).

Neil
--
Neil Williams in Milton Keynes, UK. Put first name before the at to reply.

Roland Perry wrote:

They are both "public transport" which helps dissuade people from driving
their own cars into cities, have to find somewhere to park etc.

They do not have a congestion or environmental benefit in the city itself,
though.

Neil

--
Neil Williams in Milton Keynes, UK. Put first name before the at to reply.

In message

..net, at 09:27:47 on Fri, 27 Apr 2012, Neil Williams
remarked:
But if you aren't familiar with the territory, it's after dark and
raining, and your destination is quite some trek from a tube station,
Taxis can be quite useful.

So can cars . And no-one will take advantage of your lack of knowledge to
rip you off (more of an issue in other cities than London, admittedly).

If you are from out-of-town, using your own car in Central London isn't
very practical. All a taxi is, at the end of the day, borrowing someone
else's car (and driver) for ten minutes, after which you don't have to
worry about finding a parking space.
--
Roland Perry

In message
.
net, at 09:27:48 on Fri, 27 Apr 2012, Neil Williams
remarked:
They are both "public transport" which helps dissuade people from driving
their own cars into cities, have to find somewhere to park etc.

They do not have a congestion or environmental benefit in the city itself,
though.

Yes they do. Taxis will typically be used only once you've arrived in
the City Centre, thus relieving the suburbs of your presence. They also
don't need parking spaces while you are inside having your
meeting/dinner.

And I don't think anyone's mentioned the drink/driving aspects yet.
--
Roland Perry

Neil Williams wrote:

My view is that taxis of any kind, private hire or Hackney carriage, are
private transport and should not be permitted in bus lanes at all.


Hackney cabs are *most certainly public transport*. Everyone is
entitled to use them on payment of a regulated fare.

Basil Jet wrote:

When you consider the cost of the vehicle and the fuel consumption (and
consequent safety) are so much lower than a taxi


Eh? Are hackney cabs fitted with air bags? Do hackney cabs have to
pass compulsory crash tests? Have any hackney cabs achieved a 5-star
rating in the NCAP tests, or indeed any NCAP rating at all?

So where is this "consequent safety" of which you write?