HYNDBURN TAXIS and Easing Regulations

[Lucysgirl]

I'm from the era when taxi drivers wore a uniform livery and taxi cabs were easily identified by both the style of vehicle and a permanently affixed Official Taxi Licence Plate, unlike the vehicles I sometimes follow which have the Licence Plate rattling on the rear of the cars fastened with a few bits of wire.

Currently Graham Jones is debating on the Deregulation Bill in the House of Commons, which seeks to ease the rules of who can and can't drive a taxi cab and who can and who can't License them.

He's doing a sterling job of opposing the proposal. Another MP objecting to the deregulation pointed out the number of rapes in a year. It wasn't clear whether this was by taxi cab or hire car drivers or persons posing as the former. If official drivers had to fork out money for a recognised uniform livery it could be that the number of attacks would decrease.

[Eric]

Can't understand why your national government is debating taxi regulations. Shouldn't this be a matter for local authorities ... Hyndbun Council, for example? I wouldn't go along with uniforms, seems kinda silly. But proper identification of cabs, visible plates and ID nos., etc make sense. Also safety stuff for the drivers: cameras, shields, flashing 9-1-1 lights front and rear. Passenger safety is important; but let's not forget that driving a hack, particularly at night, is a very dangerous job. Trust me, I've put in my time behind the wheel.

[Lucysgirl]

The House of Commons is debating a Bill, only part of which pertains to licensing of Taxis. One piece of the amended Bill relates to whether anyone else should be allowed to drive the taxi cabs when they're not being plied for hire.

My last experience of riding in a taxi was back in the 1990s. Four of us took a taxi to Rawtenstall and arranged for the driver to collect us at a certain time. He didn't turn up and nor did his replacement. Eventually we four middle aged stuffed shirts found ourselves part of a horde of teen and twenty revellers all fighting over a relay of taxi cabs. Our men folk finally managed to assert themselves over the throng and I found myself climbing into the back of a low slung converted van which had been decorated throughout (even the roof) with dark blue carpeting, patterned with little yellow stars

[accyman]

if i remember correctly hyndburn council gave a taxi badge to someone convicted of assault although im unsure if it was sexual assault or just a standard thumping

it will be on here somewhere it was talked about quite a bit

so in my opinion its better not to leave it to local councils

[westendlass]

Anyone driving a taxi around should have to have a CRB check and absolutely no criminal record. As a woman, sitting in a strangers car alone is putting yourself in a very vulnerable situation. Who's to know who's driving the cab as well? Most people don't check the drivers badge. You wouldn't go out and thumb a lift from someone but you put your trust in taxi drivers believing that they adhere to the strictest regulations. I keep to the same local firm as I recognise the drivers who have been taxiing for them for years in Ossy. Usually have a good conversation and a laugh with them too.

[Neil]

It's like with everything there are some good taxi drivers and some who should never be allowed to sit behind the wheel. Some of the cars are in excellent condition and some are pieces of junk. I think whatever they do they should find a way of doing it without penalising the good ones while getting rid of the bad ones. Sounds easy but I bet it wont be.

[Gremlin]

I also stick to the one company I know well, the drivers don't have weird Asian music playing all the time nor do the cars smell of cigarette smoke.
They don't blast the horn outside my door either but give me two rings on the phone when they are near and when the operator says "five minutes" she means it. Maybe pay a quid more but well worth it.

[westendlass]

Yep, that's them. Excellent firm.

[Atarah]

Originally Posted by westendlass

Anyone driving a taxi around should have to have a CRB check and absolutely no criminal record. As a woman, sitting in a strangers car alone is putting yourself in a very vulnerable situation. Who's to know who's driving the cab as well? Most people don't check the drivers badge. You wouldn't go out and thumb a lift from someone but you put your trust in taxi drivers believing that they adhere to the strictest regulations. I keep to the same local firm as I recognise the drivers who have been taxiing for them for years in Ossy. Usually have a good conversation and a laugh with them too.

I bet you are talking about Hyndburn Cars

[Margaret Pilkington]

I never use anyone else. They are really good with my mum.
She is none too speedy these days, but they never make her feel rushed, they always help with the wheelchair too.

[westendlass]

They're all decent folk and lovely clean, safe cars too.

[Gremlin]

I had to laugh when I started using the said firm.
As you know they have you in their system and know your name.
About the third time I used them I got the two rings on my phone so I locked up and met the taxi.
The driver was female and said "Taxi for Alice"
I put her right and she told me they had sent her because they thought they were coming for a lady.
I have been here three years, first person to live here and had the same number since 1973.
No problem, we had a laugh and she put the office right.
I asked her did I look like a female, I'm well over 70 with baldy head,
She said you never know, there are some funny people out there.

So watch your back when the Grems around.

[Revived Red]

Originally Posted by Atarah

I bet you are talking about Hyndburn Cars

After some bad experiences with other taxi operators, I now always use Hyndburn Cars when I travel up by train to watch Stanley. Not once have they let me down. Always prompt, always courteous, and always spotlessly clean cars.