Having received a mandate from our members, the United Cabbies Group have now planned a series of demonstrations to highlight our exclusion from the Olympic Games Lanes.
We have announced the dates of 3 planned demonstrations starting with:
Tuesday 17th July 2012
2pm
Parliament Square – Whitehall – Trafalgar Square
This will be a ‘Mass Ply for Hire’ demonstration
Please turn your for ‘For Hire’ light on and travel slowly between Parliament Sq and Trafalgar Sq.
“Sound Your Horn for the ORN”
The following 2 demonstrations will be held on:
Monday 23rd July 2012 – Details to be announced
Friday 27th July 2012 – Details to be announced
For regular updates please follow us on Twitter @UnitedCabbies
The following is the Press Release sent to many various outlets:
United Cabbies Group
Press Release
Demonstrations against the Taxi trade’s exclusion from the Olympic Games Lanes
The United Cabbies Group recently held a series of meetings with representatives from the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games (LOCOG), the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) and Transport for London (TfL).
The purpose of these meetings was to discuss the concerns of our members and how exclusion from the Games Lanes will affect thousands of taxi passengers including those visiting the capital for the Olympics.
Some of these Lanes will be nearside (kerbside) and we were advised during the meetings that we will be unable to enter these lanes, to set-down or pick-up passengers. We have urged LOCOG, ODA and TfL to reconsider their position on this as it will have devastating consequences for both taxi passengers and drivers. It was further disclosed that the nearside lanes, which are converted bus lanes, will still allow access to all other bus lane users i.e. buses, motorbikes and cyclists, with taxis being the only exception to the normal bus lane policy.
When asked, LOCOG, ODA & TfL advised that we should simply “do our best” to set-down and pick up passengers at the nearest available place. This is a lack of understanding on the behalf of LOCOG, ODA and TfL in relation to how taxi journey’s work, particularly for those passengers with mobility impairments or other disabilities. London Taxis are the only 100% wheelchair accessible vehicles in the London Transport network and TfL frequently refer to this when questioned about accessible transport.
It should be noted that whilst all other sectors of the public transport system have demanded bonuses for doing their jobs during the games, the London Taxi trade has only ever demanded the right to go about its business without any increase in fares. In fact, two demonstrations were carried out last year by the United Cabbies Group, to quash any suggestion of a proposed 20% fare increase during both the Olympic & Paralympic Games.
Whilst agreeing with us in principle, LOCOG, ODA and TfL have refused our request for access to the games lanes and therefore we felt we had no option but to ballot our members. We received an overwhelming majority vote, giving us a mandate to take action.
We have therefore planned a series of demonstrations on the following dates:
1. 17th July 2012, at 2pm – Parliament Square, Whitehall and Trafalgar Square
2. 23rd July 2012, time and venue to be announced
3. 27th July 2012, time and venue to be announced
We wish the Olympic & Paralympic Games to be a complete success and fully back our Team GB athletes, however in order for us to successfully carry out our duties as Taxi drivers we demand full access to the Olympic Games Lanes.
Loading tweets...
7 comments
Skip to comment form ↓
David Bedford
July 4, 2012 at 12:43 pm (UTC 1) Link to this comment
Has a fighting found been set up to help with the exp ect. I will be at the air port later. If I see any one I will be puting in. This is for the good of all Taxi Drivers regardless if you are a member of the LTDA or who ever. We all need to be their and support this demo.
editor 2
July 4, 2012 at 1:28 pm (UTC 1) Link to this comment
Hi David
Thanks for the offer it really is appreciated.
The best way you can support the UCG is to become a member, this is not just for financial reasons, but the more members we have the stronger we are.
You will also benefit with our comprehensive legal protection scheme, and your right to vote on the direction the UCG take in the future.
John Young
July 10, 2012 at 11:20 am (UTC 1) Link to this comment
Hi.I would like to put a question to you at the U.C.G.
I was an l.t.d.a.member for about 10 years or so and cancelled my subscription after the 20% Olympic rise debacle, and i am an associate member of the U.C.G..
Very shortly after leaving the l.t.d.a. i joined the R.M.T. But shortly after i joined them, the U.C.G. offered “full membership”, and as i am already an associate member i would like to have joined as a “full member”.
My question is should i leave the R.M.T. after such a short time?, as i feel that i would like to help the U.C.G. become stronger by adding another member!.
Thanks in advance for your opinion.
editor 1
July 12, 2012 at 11:26 am (UTC 1) Link to this comment
Hi John thanks for the enquiry.
It is not our policy to tell anyone to leave another trade organisation, but I can tell you this…
The UCG is a 100% democratic Taxi trade organisation where every full member gets a voice and a vote.
We also provide members with the best legal representation the trade has to offer.
All our policies and the action we take is decided by the members.
We are by far the Taxi trade’s most active organisation and every single member of the UCG committee is a working Taxi driver, so your problems are also our problems.
If you would like a say in your own destiny the join us.
Best Regards
UCG Admin.
Patrick McElligott
July 10, 2012 at 11:26 am (UTC 1) Link to this comment
Is it possible to have a membership application sent in post , as i only have access to internet via my mobile , thank you , Pat McElligott
editor 1
July 12, 2012 at 11:28 am (UTC 1) Link to this comment
Hi Patrick, Yes of course we can send you an application form in the post if you send us your details.
However United Cabbies News 7 will be available at the end of the week and there will be a form in there.
Regards UCG.
mike
July 12, 2012 at 11:24 am (UTC 1) Link to this comment
Demos are great as long as you do not cave in I think its to late to have these demos,they should have been started months ago not two weeks before the venues start.
As soon as Mason or whoever says they want to talk you will suspend everything, in my view carry on with the demos even while your talking.
Years ago when the SPLT were around they stopped the demos at Victoria Station because of the problems it may cause to security surrounding the possibility of IRA bombings, I do not think the the talks ever resumed.
The apathy in this trade is never going to be resolved,
I will support your endeavours provided you keep up the fight