excellent read as usual i ve been with the ltda for 16 years with very little achieved by them tor are trade is it more about paying there wages ? well done to the ucg for starting to kick some back sides ,lets start seeing some ucg diarys behind the drivers windscreen and lose the orange ltda badge holder and replaced with black and green the fight back has started bravo!
Hi I am Looking for a flat 1/2 bedroom on ground floor in the Dagenham / South Hornchurch /Elm park area if any body knows of one please ring me on 07939097255 Thanks.
just read the august edition (first time),brilliant send me your stickers etc will deffo be put in my taxi.totally fed up with taxi drivers not standing by each other maybe this will change with your mag,only been a taxi driver for a short time and am amazed what the carriage office let the private hire trade get away with,mr mason and co are getting away with anything they want that is why they hold meetings behind closed doors lol.the pc brigade are and have taken over the knowledge
Having quickly read through this issue of the Newspaper online I would like to commend all of those involved with the UCG for their hard work and determination working unselfishly for the betterment of our trade. In 20 years of driving a Taxi in London there has not been a group of drivers who have made such an impact on this trade or acheaved so much in such a short space of time as these hard working men who all do this on a voluntary basis.
Every cab driver in London should get behind the UCG in support these guys in any way they can as from where I am sitting they are the only ones actually doing anything to help save the trade that gives us all a living and giving us constructive schemes like the Cumberland Capped Fare scheme.
Once again guys thanks for all the hard work that you guys are putting in on behalf of the trade and if there is anything I can do to help then please just shout.
Never before has so much been owed by so mnay to so few.
I read your article Issue 3 and then boboddyexposed online. It reminded me of the telephone conversation I had with Bob Oddy when I had decided to leave LTDA. because I felt the LTDA wasn’t in touch with the reality out there at nights ( I had driven nights 4 years at that time ). After having listened to him rant at me with ” driven only 4 years therefore green behind the ears,and Inland Revenue won’t be interested etc”( regarding Hotels ),and Satelite Offices are legal so you just don’t like competition etc” and “so you were expecting the streets to be paved in gold when you completed the knowledge” and all the other put downs I was relieved to know my decision was the right one after speaking or should I say listening to him. I also fell out with my old callover mate because I said I couldn’t believe how he could justify paying into a major body(LTDA) that should be representing the cab trade but seemed to be sitting on it’s hands on all the real issues that are killing our trade.For example just read TAXI at anytime. You would think you are back in the good old days i.e no minicab or out & out touts sitting outside every nightclub,restaurant,pub,hotel,casino etc every night of the week, no police or parking enforcement and rickshaws all over the place. The only time I have seen fire come out of the LTDA is when having a go at the RMT and have thought if only they could direct that vehemence toward the real issues. So I applaud Butterboy for fronting up to Oddy and UGC for confronting the real issues. I also hope that LTDA members see the light and remove Oddy and other sellouts in exchange for real leaders more in touch and fighting for the survival of the Cab trade.
Just read the latest edition and think it is great, it’s refreshing to see group of drivers who have their finger on the pulse of what’s happening within the trade Unlike the dinosaurs from the other organisations, it’s a pity that more of Oddys supposed 9000 members don’t see the light and leave the outdated LTDA and deprive Oddy and Co of any more of their hard earned Nd join the UCG whose members are passionate and dedicated to the trade in which we all work.
I personally cannot see why anyone would want to remain a member of the LTDA after hearing the taped meeti between Oddy and Butterbot, Oddy should be totally ashamed of himself and should resign from his position and allow someone who has the trades best interests at heart to take over but wn I suppose it is e money that is keeping Oddy there as from where I am sitting And from what I have learnt he can’t be in the job because he wants to work forthr betterment of the cab trade.
Good luck gigs and gals of the UCG and keep up the good work and keep the fighting spirit going.
Well done once again to all those involved in the publication of another superb issue of UCN. If any one out there is in any doubt that we all need to stand together and protect ourselves take this issue to a small quiet place and read it again then come down to trafalgar square on nov 9th and have a talk with the group with only one agenda that is the protection of the cab trade.
Leaders of Last To Do Anything do the honorable thing the game is up.
Re Identifier disks in taxis for both yellow and green badge drivers. This must be illegal under the data protection act. The
same with putting our badge and names on a tfl web site,.
MY ANSWER TO THAT MORON MASON AND HIS USELESS HANGERS ON. ALL CAB DRIVERS SHOULD REFUSE TO DISPLAY THEM. WHAT’S THAT MORON MASON GOING TO DO ABOUT IT. PROSECUTE 25,000 DRIVERS. WHEN THEY ARE ISSURED MASS DEMONSTATIONS SHOULD TAKE PLACE EVERY DAY MORNING AND EVENING RUSH HOURS.
MASON AND TFL NEED TO BE TAUGHT A LESSON. UNFORTUNATELY WE PAY THEIR WAGES AND OF COURSE ODDY’S ALSO £23,500 PER YEAR. WHAT’S HE DONE FOR TAXI TRADE AND HIS MEMBERS? I BET HE, GRANT DAVIS AND UNITE DID NOT CONSULT THEIR MEMBERS OVER THE 15YR AGE LIMIT. OR THAT MATTER ANY OTHER MEASURES AGAINST THE CAB TRADE. THEY LIKE MASON ARE JUST A BUNCH OF MORONS WHO LIKE TO SIT ON MEETINGS AND LOOK SELF IMPORTANT.
I dont see the problems with this at all, all it does is protect your lifestyle/green badge.
As for quoting DPA, im sure there wont be any PRIVATE information on the badge, if there is so what, go to the states and all cabs there have photo ID, gives you and your punter some added protection
I’ll tell you the problem with this mate. It’s the old divide and rule theory and I am NOT a yellow badge holder, I’m All London.
Don’t you understand that by getting us to argue and quibble with our yellow collegues that our eyes are diverted from the main problems, touting, rickshaws, Olympic lanes etc.
Yes, there are problems with yellow badges in central London, but it is not a major problem. I’ve been stopped four times in the last couple of months and asked for my bill and badge. On the last occasion, it was in Smithfield where dozens of scabs were lines up outside Smiths and the Fabric on double yellow lines forming an illegal rank! Personally I’d much rather their resources were directed at this issue than the odd yellow badge.
Get your priorities right.
Hi bcab,i am a surburban driver.and proud of it,what makes green badges think they are better than us.We do the the same job as you,are the people in the city differant to the ones in the suburbs,These identifiers are going to cause a problem.Say i pick a job going to one of the main line stations,i go past the cab rank to drop off 85 % of those drivers will not see what i have on my meter so will think i have picked up in the city. I have spoke to other yellow badges about this and if they get any abuse or threats they will take the drivers number and the driver will be reported to TFL.
Hi, I’ve been a cab driver for over 30yrs and I believe ID stickers are one of the most dangerous impossitons on our trade I have see in 30yrs. I hope there is going to be mass oposition to this move.
No other road user is as idenitfied as much as we are and I am more worried about the rickshaws who work on London streets with impunity, cyclist who think its ok to spit punch or kick a cab, or 40,000 or more minicabs who steal our work than a few yellow badges who may take the odd job.
This is a case of divide and rule, we must stick to gether.
Please remember the thousands of cameras that will be reading your badge number!!!
We must take action.
All you drivers who think this is to protect your work will rue the day you agreed this pernicious sticker.
I totally agree. This week got my first ever complaint. Any disgruntled chancer can read it, not even a passenger. The PCO will accept complaints from anyone about our conduct and then it’s a fight to clear your name, even to get it taken off your record. You can go on the PCO website from your phone or tab or pad or pod or whatever and fire of a complaint in minutes causing untold stress to us and risking our careers. We shouldn’t tolerate this.
I believe that there is an ulterior motive by the TFL regarding the introduction of the ‘identifiers’ but I cannot work out what it is. If we have to display our badge number then all buses and coaches should also display the PSV licence number of the driver. At the moment it is ‘double standards’.
Mr. Mason will you please reply to this and other sensible comments.
as the facts are revealed it is obvious to most of us with just a bit of intelligence that the the ltda is part of the the PROBLEM not the solution.they have never done anything substantial for thier members for years .the game is really up for oddy and co. -the ltda speaks on behalf of its members and the cab trade in general without consultation/ballot–some examples of this are-15 year rule/ rank at kingston/identifiers/no action on anything meanigfull.a magazine full of anecdotes and an old time comedian who really does belong in the ltda.the ltda is an organisation that has long ago reached its shelf life.that goes for the whole setup not just oddy.getting rid of him will not change them substantially for the better as they are part of the PROBLEM.
and the number of yellows caught in town in 2010 /2011 was wait for it……………2000 may cry the ltda 1 million may shout the lcdc from the battlements of their castle far’ far away in never never land…no very sorry the actual figure was 58.yes you read that right.no need to worry-shhh hush hush
Cabman,who told u it was 58.Or did u pick that number.thats a lot less than the illegals nicking your work every night.You green badges seem to think yellow badges are your biggest problem ,open your eyes,and take a good look around.
The badge identifiers are going to bite us right on the arse.
I’m a green badge of almost 20 years and I thought they were a good idea but nobody mentioned having your badge no on them.we already have more than enough accountability with regards to redress from the public.the pco sorry l t p h ,or whatever it’s now called, have used identifiers for their own advantage here.now we all know as cab drivers that we need to behave ourselves,that goes without saying but we are now going to have to be double careful.having said all that don’t forget before we all become paranoid that anybody can already take either your no plate or licence plate no so may not make any difference from that angle.
Equally important,my mate said that our 3yearly licence fees are going up by £80 for this priviledge,although not sure if this is true.if it is true then we’re all having our pants pulled down,but then what’s new there????
The main problem I see is having our badge number on the windows. I always thought these were private and could only be required to be shown to a CO, police officer or passenger with a legitimate reason. Imagine you have a problem neighbour who now knows your name, address, working hours, the cab you drive and now just by looking out of his window, your badge number as well.
This opens you up to false, malicious claims. What if he is also a minicab driver with dodgy connections, now a false badge and bill could appear with your name address and badge number which he couldn’t or shouldn’t have had access to before. It is dead easy to get any documents printed if you know where to go. Perhaps a false plate with your registration and you are completely cloned, try getting out of that. In the past the one thing criminals couldn’t easily get was your badge number, that’s why I thought it was private. Also any other motorist, cyclist could hold this over you and report you for anything while your’e at work which the PCO will open up a complaint on your file over. The badge number should be on the back only accessible to those with a right to ask for it.
Hi Paul, we have heard nothing about license fees rising to pay for these identifiers, but we do know that they cost LTPH £54,000 with approx £10,000 set aside per year for the foreseeable future for replacements etc.
We also know that the budget for the provision and maintenance of Taxi ranks has been cut from £46,000 2 years ago down to approx £5000 for this year.
Could this be where the money has come from to pay for this ID scheme?
Tony-tcm I agree with a lot of what you’re saying there
Hi ed I only joined the forum last night,anything that gets us communicating and sticking together is a breath of fresh air!
London’s cab drivers could achieve most things if we all stuck together more.
Unity is POWER
With regards as to how much the identifiers will cost us, the drivers,if our 3 yearlys go up by £80 then x that by 25000 cabbies and that’s £2 million quid the pco will make every 3 years.even if our licenses go up by £40 then they’ll make £1 million every 3 years.i think you said it cost them £54000 to set up plus £10,000 set aside per year , that’s £64,000 it’s cost them in first year then £10,000 per year subsequently .even allowing for rank budget cuts of £41,000 a year ,securicor should be busier than ever.kerchinggg!
we should refuse to accept our badge number on these identifiers,far to much info for joe public.Why is it not protected by data protection.We must protest this matter ,along with all the other back stabbing rules we take from “THE MOB”.
Hello to all black cab drivers:
I am a driver like all of you, you are fighting each other but you you don’t want to see the problem, the minicabs is the problem not other black cab.
Firstly there should be no identifiers because we are showing our badge number to the public. We already have a taxi licence number at the back which shows its a licensed taxi. We are now even more vulnerable. Its called data unprotection. Anyone can now report you falsely to PCO with no proof. The odd cyclict, and motorist. The PCO has now made a division between green badges and yellow badges, which is totally pointless. They are taxis and we are taxis. The main problem we cab drivers have is the never ending minicab licences that PCO are throwing out. There should be a control of minicab operators licence, and should not be granted near any taxi rank. The touts, clip board johnnies (CBJ) that operate every night. The pedicabs and so on. These are the real issues the PCO needs to address, and not to create a fight between yellow and green badges. As a green badge driver I respect all drivers, so we need to protest at Palestra and get these IDs removed. The cab trade has existed for well over 350 years, why is it in 2012 that they are modifying the London cab order 1934. Calling all drivers we must protest at Palestra.
like richard said, TFL are handing out phv licences for fun.
I work in the suburbs. goldersgreen st mini cab office inside also Edgware,
BLACK CAB RANKS OUTSIDE. so we know where the work is going.
PCO AND TFL. SHOULD BE ON TRIAL.
CENTRAL LONDON AND THE SUBURBS ARE SATURATED WITH PHV
ITS GOT TO STOP. thanks shawn
london underground
rent shop in their parades to dry cleaners, coffee shops,newsagents,
mini cabs etc.you would not get .2 dry cleaners in a parade, but they
will rent a outlet to a phv operator, with black cabs just a couple
of metres away.london underground own the ground .THEY HAVE
NO MORALES.as a member of RMT and UCG I demand strike
action and demos against london underground,thanks
shawn in the suburbs.
By now I assume we have all received our begging letters from Boris begging indeed for our vote. How he has made concessions with regard the Olympics that panacea for all the country’s ills I fear not.
Now about the pedicabs unfortunately they do exploit a loophole in the current Hackney Carriage laws because they are not mechanically driven there were in fact however some that had small electric motors to help drive the wheels so these were illegal there was a bit of a crackdown on these some years ago.
The reason there has been no push from Boris to bring in laws to outlaw these ramshackle outfits is because Boris is trying to find a way to licence them, alas he is worried to go ahead as he is concerned about repercussions should someone be injured in these deathtraps. I know this because recently I had quite an indepth conversation in my cab with a woman who was in fact one of Boris’ aides at TFL.
Unfortunately a vote for Blue Boris, Red Ken, Pink Paddick or that frustrated hippy that is Jenny Jones will give us the status quo which from where I am sitting is not looking any better for our trade.
at last some people in this trade are seeing the light. The LTDA has done a lot for the trade. They have given us 1000′s of licensed Mini cabs, reduced takings, crap vehicles, no back up, loads of red tape, licence fees, dictacab and dinosaurs.
Stick two fingers up at those idiots and let some new blood have a say. Be lucky out there
I am currently a full time knowledge student and have just read one of your articles where it refers to the “law commission review” and how it will have major effects on the black cab industry.
Can you please expand on this with a few more details please
Merton & Sutton Driver with the Clapham Extension says:
Come and see the situation in Wimbledon cab rank for yourselves. Oversupply of taxis, empty cabs cruising up and down. More new drivers coming out every month. What has PCO created. 60 minutes is the waiting time on the rank. That is one job in an hour. Long hours, night work, no social life, no time for family. Forget about going on holiday, because you wont afford one. The mini scabs are happy because they take all the work, and nothing is left. They earn more than us black cabbies. Well we shouldn’t be called black cabbies because we earn less than them. The mini scabs are the real black cabbies. We are called the poor cabbies. The situation in Wimbledon has gone from worse to Xtra worse. This is the life of a London cab driver who works from Wimbledon. You work 24/7, and earn peanuts. Not just in the Merton & Sutton sector, but in other sectors like Kingston Richmond and Hounslow, Croydon, Bromley. What is LTDA doing about it? Nothing!!! What will it do in the future? Again Nothing! Because they only care about Green Badges.
Merton&sutton driver with a clapham extension ,
Hi mate I don’t envy you or your suburban colleagues at all ,it must be very tough out there
As I am sure you must know green badge drivers are being shafted as well from all sides
You mention what are the UCG doing , well I’ve only been a member since November and as far
as I can see they are doing a great job for us in the short time they have been set up.
Ask your colleagues if they know what is really going on in the cab trade .
If as I suspect very little like me untill I joined the UCG they don’t keep you in the dark like most of the other orgs
( ie LTDA ltd, LCDC & Unite ) get them to log on to this site,the Anderson shelter & the London taxi drivers foram.
Are they members of an organisation ? If so do they know what they are doing for their members
Do they know about and are they turning up at demos? Whether in any suburb or in town YB / GB
Get them to ask the LTDA ltd ,LCDC & Unite if they are in them orgs why they did not turn up to a meeting called for by
The RMT when invites were sent to all cab trade orgs in a bid to unite us all Y/B&G/B
It’s no good sitting on the fence we all need to get involved before it is to late.
Join a trade org that lets you know what’s going on and does not keep you in the dark
That was a rant on behalf of the lets ( work & stick together party) Thank you
Have a good evening
Bob
I’m a green badge driver & have been for over 9 years, these identifiers have certainly opened a can of worms. Being a battersea boy, when it’s worth my while & I can get away with working the nonsense of the west end I like to work south west London ie Putney clapham common balham etc, can anyone give me a definitive answer where & where not yellow badge drivers are allowed to ply for trade & pick up, I honestly think that if the regular south London working GB drivers knew, they’d except it.. There seems to be so much of a grey area, i knew they could pick up on the little rank on the pavement, but are they allowed to pick up clapham high St, clapham common s.s by the Alexandra pub south side of station etc. Also battersea rise, northcote Rd, clapham south & north Putney high St, upper & lower Richmond rds etc etc . To say these areas weren’t sufficiently covered by GB drivers is an absolute nonsense, take a drive down to clapham junction & see the swarms of drivers trying to put on there. When are the pco going to stop bending over backwards to appease the YB mob, it’s quite simple, you wanna pick up in the GB sector, DO THE GREEN BADGE ..
Merton & Sutton Driver with Clapham Extension says:
Jimmy Riddle. We are allowed to work from Green Badge areas as you mentioned in your post. It’s the PCO allowing us to work in these areas because we have our extension, so please don’t be surprised to see yellow badge drivers in clapham & Putney. Clapham is a real yellow badge area. South of the river is allocated to yellow badges. In order to earn money mate, you need to go north of the river and stop being a lazy cabbie. Most green badges don’t know how to work and blaming it on yellow badges nicking their work while there are too many minicabs touting all around nicking your jobs under your noses, and you don’t giving a damn about it. You are one of those lazy cab drivers who cannot navigate around London, hence cannot earn money, so you blame it on your yellow badge colleagues. Mate you don’t know how to work, there is plenty of work available in your green badge area. It looks like you forgot your roads. You are giving me the impression to think of you as a coco the clown GB driver. Nowadays the examiners are passing any one who has got no common sense. So please go back to your blue book runs, revise them again, know your runs & points, when you know how to navigate, then you can work and earn money from West End and you don’t have to come to Clapham or Putney again…
Jimmy Riddle. Some of green badge areas are also yellow badge areas like clapham, putney extension. Don’t be shocked to see us in these areas. These identifiers have for sure opened up a few uneducated green worms as well working in yellow badge areas unaware. Do your homework first. South of the river is allocated to yellow badges. To earn money mate, you need to go north of the river. You won’t earn money working in suburban areas. And if you wanna escape the nonsense of the west end, then you’ll have to deal with the nonsense of working with yellow badges and chat nonsense here. Open your eyes and see at every pub and bar, and you will see CBJs, satellite offices, touts, illegally parked scabs, nicking your work, under your noses every night of the week. Where is the work gonna come from then? Are we nicking them? They also say if you cannot navigate, then you cannot earn money. I suggest go back to your blue book and revise your roads. When you can navigate confidently, then you can earn money. You look like you are one of those lazy coco the clown cabbie who does not know how to work, and blame it on your yellow badge colleagues nicking your work. Nowadays the examiners are passing anyone with no common sense…
39 comments
brendan fitzpatrick says:
August 17, 2011 at 11:48 am (UTC 1 )
excellent read as usual i ve been with the ltda for 16 years with very little achieved by them tor are trade is it more about paying there wages ? well done to the ucg for starting to kick some back sides ,lets start seeing some ucg diarys behind the drivers windscreen and lose the orange ltda badge holder and replaced with black and green the fight back has started bravo!
Mick Wakefield says:
August 17, 2011 at 1:40 pm (UTC 1 )
Hi I am Looking for a flat 1/2 bedroom on ground floor in the Dagenham / South Hornchurch /Elm park area if any body knows of one please ring me on 07939097255 Thanks.
lee barron says:
August 23, 2011 at 8:40 am (UTC 1 )
just read the august edition (first time),brilliant send me your stickers etc will deffo be put in my taxi.totally fed up with taxi drivers not standing by each other maybe this will change with your mag,only been a taxi driver for a short time and am amazed what the carriage office let the private hire trade get away with,mr mason and co are getting away with anything they want that is why they hold meetings behind closed doors lol.the pc brigade are and have taken over the knowledge
SuperCabby says:
August 30, 2011 at 1:28 pm (UTC 1 )
Having quickly read through this issue of the Newspaper online I would like to commend all of those involved with the UCG for their hard work and determination working unselfishly for the betterment of our trade. In 20 years of driving a Taxi in London there has not been a group of drivers who have made such an impact on this trade or acheaved so much in such a short space of time as these hard working men who all do this on a voluntary basis.
Every cab driver in London should get behind the UCG in support these guys in any way they can as from where I am sitting they are the only ones actually doing anything to help save the trade that gives us all a living and giving us constructive schemes like the Cumberland Capped Fare scheme.
Once again guys thanks for all the hard work that you guys are putting in on behalf of the trade and if there is anything I can do to help then please just shout.
Never before has so much been owed by so mnay to so few.
SuperCabby
Campbell Tuiri says:
September 15, 2011 at 7:38 pm (UTC 1 )
Re; Butterboy and Bob Oddy
I read your article Issue 3 and then boboddyexposed online. It reminded me of the telephone conversation I had with Bob Oddy when I had decided to leave LTDA. because I felt the LTDA wasn’t in touch with the reality out there at nights ( I had driven nights 4 years at that time ). After having listened to him rant at me with ” driven only 4 years therefore green behind the ears,and Inland Revenue won’t be interested etc”( regarding Hotels ),and Satelite Offices are legal so you just don’t like competition etc” and “so you were expecting the streets to be paved in gold when you completed the knowledge” and all the other put downs I was relieved to know my decision was the right one after speaking or should I say listening to him. I also fell out with my old callover mate because I said I couldn’t believe how he could justify paying into a major body(LTDA) that should be representing the cab trade but seemed to be sitting on it’s hands on all the real issues that are killing our trade.For example just read TAXI at anytime. You would think you are back in the good old days i.e no minicab or out & out touts sitting outside every nightclub,restaurant,pub,hotel,casino etc every night of the week, no police or parking enforcement and rickshaws all over the place. The only time I have seen fire come out of the LTDA is when having a go at the RMT and have thought if only they could direct that vehemence toward the real issues. So I applaud Butterboy for fronting up to Oddy and UGC for confronting the real issues. I also hope that LTDA members see the light and remove Oddy and other sellouts in exchange for real leaders more in touch and fighting for the survival of the Cab trade.
Driver 86513
SuperCabby says:
October 22, 2011 at 3:56 pm (UTC 1 )
Just read the latest edition and think it is great, it’s refreshing to see group of drivers who have their finger on the pulse of what’s happening within the trade Unlike the dinosaurs from the other organisations, it’s a pity that more of Oddys supposed 9000 members don’t see the light and leave the outdated LTDA and deprive Oddy and Co of any more of their hard earned Nd join the UCG whose members are passionate and dedicated to the trade in which we all work.
I personally cannot see why anyone would want to remain a member of the LTDA after hearing the taped meeti between Oddy and Butterbot, Oddy should be totally ashamed of himself and should resign from his position and allow someone who has the trades best interests at heart to take over but wn I suppose it is e money that is keeping Oddy there as from where I am sitting And from what I have learnt he can’t be in the job because he wants to work forthr betterment of the cab trade.
Good luck gigs and gals of the UCG and keep up the good work and keep the fighting spirit going.
smudger says:
October 22, 2011 at 7:11 pm (UTC 1 )
il be there to in the jcb
MichaelB says:
November 4, 2011 at 4:48 pm (UTC 1 )
Well done once again to all those involved in the publication of another superb issue of UCN. If any one out there is in any doubt that we all need to stand together and protect ourselves take this issue to a small quiet place and read it again then come down to trafalgar square on nov 9th and have a talk with the group with only one agenda that is the protection of the cab trade.
Leaders of Last To Do Anything do the honorable thing the game is up.
M.Robinson says:
December 13, 2011 at 11:01 am (UTC 1 )
Re Identifier disks in taxis for both yellow and green badge drivers. This must be illegal under the data protection act. The
same with putting our badge and names on a tfl web site,.
MY ANSWER TO THAT MORON MASON AND HIS USELESS HANGERS ON. ALL CAB DRIVERS SHOULD REFUSE TO DISPLAY THEM. WHAT’S THAT MORON MASON GOING TO DO ABOUT IT. PROSECUTE 25,000 DRIVERS. WHEN THEY ARE ISSURED MASS DEMONSTATIONS SHOULD TAKE PLACE EVERY DAY MORNING AND EVENING RUSH HOURS.
MASON AND TFL NEED TO BE TAUGHT A LESSON. UNFORTUNATELY WE PAY THEIR WAGES AND OF COURSE ODDY’S ALSO £23,500 PER YEAR. WHAT’S HE DONE FOR TAXI TRADE AND HIS MEMBERS? I BET HE, GRANT DAVIS AND UNITE DID NOT CONSULT THEIR MEMBERS OVER THE 15YR AGE LIMIT. OR THAT MATTER ANY OTHER MEASURES AGAINST THE CAB TRADE. THEY LIKE MASON ARE JUST A BUNCH OF MORONS WHO LIKE TO SIT ON MEETINGS AND LOOK SELF IMPORTANT.
bcab says:
December 23, 2011 at 5:22 pm (UTC 1 )
Are you a suburb driver by any chance????
I dont see the problems with this at all, all it does is protect your lifestyle/green badge.
As for quoting DPA, im sure there wont be any PRIVATE information on the badge, if there is so what, go to the states and all cabs there have photo ID, gives you and your punter some added protection
Fred Page says:
January 9, 2012 at 12:21 pm (UTC 1 )
I’ll tell you the problem with this mate. It’s the old divide and rule theory and I am NOT a yellow badge holder, I’m All London.
Don’t you understand that by getting us to argue and quibble with our yellow collegues that our eyes are diverted from the main problems, touting, rickshaws, Olympic lanes etc.
Yes, there are problems with yellow badges in central London, but it is not a major problem. I’ve been stopped four times in the last couple of months and asked for my bill and badge. On the last occasion, it was in Smithfield where dozens of scabs were lines up outside Smiths and the Fabric on double yellow lines forming an illegal rank! Personally I’d much rather their resources were directed at this issue than the odd yellow badge.
Get your priorities right.
john says:
December 30, 2011 at 10:08 am (UTC 1 )
Hi bcab,i am a surburban driver.and proud of it,what makes green badges think they are better than us.We do the the same job as you,are the people in the city differant to the ones in the suburbs,These identifiers are going to cause a problem.Say i pick a job going to one of the main line stations,i go past the cab rank to drop off 85 % of those drivers will not see what i have on my meter so will think i have picked up in the city. I have spoke to other yellow badges about this and if they get any abuse or threats they will take the drivers number and the driver will be reported to TFL.
bernie says:
January 8, 2012 at 1:16 am (UTC 1 )
Abuse between green and yellow badge drivers Has alre
ady started at city airport should all stick together NOT HAVE ID
Ma says:
January 10, 2012 at 12:46 pm (UTC 1 )
Hi, I’ve been a cab driver for over 30yrs and I believe ID stickers are one of the most dangerous impossitons on our trade I have see in 30yrs. I hope there is going to be mass oposition to this move.
No other road user is as idenitfied as much as we are and I am more worried about the rickshaws who work on London streets with impunity, cyclist who think its ok to spit punch or kick a cab, or 40,000 or more minicabs who steal our work than a few yellow badges who may take the odd job.
This is a case of divide and rule, we must stick to gether.
Please remember the thousands of cameras that will be reading your badge number!!!
We must take action.
All you drivers who think this is to protect your work will rue the day you agreed this pernicious sticker.
tony-tcm says:
January 13, 2012 at 7:42 pm (UTC 1 )
I totally agree. This week got my first ever complaint. Any disgruntled chancer can read it, not even a passenger. The PCO will accept complaints from anyone about our conduct and then it’s a fight to clear your name, even to get it taken off your record. You can go on the PCO website from your phone or tab or pad or pod or whatever and fire of a complaint in minutes causing untold stress to us and risking our careers. We shouldn’t tolerate this.
Ron says:
January 15, 2012 at 10:36 pm (UTC 1 )
I believe that there is an ulterior motive by the TFL regarding the introduction of the ‘identifiers’ but I cannot work out what it is. If we have to display our badge number then all buses and coaches should also display the PSV licence number of the driver. At the moment it is ‘double standards’.
Mr. Mason will you please reply to this and other sensible comments.
smudger says:
January 16, 2012 at 3:18 am (UTC 1 )
the only cab drivers worried are the ones that aint got the green id s so stay in your sector and there aint no problems
john says:
January 21, 2012 at 11:12 am (UTC 1 )
Smudger,are u on the same page as everybody else.We do get jobs out of our sectors.Its comments like yours that are creating problems.
nick says:
January 22, 2012 at 1:25 pm (UTC 1 )
as the facts are revealed it is obvious to most of us with just a bit of intelligence that the the ltda is part of the the PROBLEM not the solution.they have never done anything substantial for thier members for years .the game is really up for oddy and co. -the ltda speaks on behalf of its members and the cab trade in general without consultation/ballot–some examples of this are-15 year rule/ rank at kingston/identifiers/no action on anything meanigfull.a magazine full of anecdotes and an old time comedian who really does belong in the ltda.the ltda is an organisation that has long ago reached its shelf life.that goes for the whole setup not just oddy.getting rid of him will not change them substantially for the better as they are part of the PROBLEM.
cabmann says:
January 22, 2012 at 1:37 pm (UTC 1 )
and the number of yellows caught in town in 2010 /2011 was wait for it……………2000 may cry the ltda 1 million may shout the lcdc from the battlements of their castle far’ far away in never never land…no very sorry the actual figure was 58.yes you read that right.no need to worry-shhh hush hush
john says:
January 23, 2012 at 6:54 pm (UTC 1 )
Cabman,who told u it was 58.Or did u pick that number.thats a lot less than the illegals nicking your work every night.You green badges seem to think yellow badges are your biggest problem ,open your eyes,and take a good look around.
Poundnote Paul says:
January 23, 2012 at 1:44 am (UTC 1 )
The badge identifiers are going to bite us right on the arse.
I’m a green badge of almost 20 years and I thought they were a good idea but nobody mentioned having your badge no on them.we already have more than enough accountability with regards to redress from the public.the pco sorry l t p h ,or whatever it’s now called, have used identifiers for their own advantage here.now we all know as cab drivers that we need to behave ourselves,that goes without saying but we are now going to have to be double careful.having said all that don’t forget before we all become paranoid that anybody can already take either your no plate or licence plate no so may not make any difference from that angle.
Equally important,my mate said that our 3yearly licence fees are going up by £80 for this priviledge,although not sure if this is true.if it is true then we’re all having our pants pulled down,but then what’s new there????
tony-tcm says:
January 23, 2012 at 8:47 am (UTC 1 )
The main problem I see is having our badge number on the windows. I always thought these were private and could only be required to be shown to a CO, police officer or passenger with a legitimate reason. Imagine you have a problem neighbour who now knows your name, address, working hours, the cab you drive and now just by looking out of his window, your badge number as well.
This opens you up to false, malicious claims. What if he is also a minicab driver with dodgy connections, now a false badge and bill could appear with your name address and badge number which he couldn’t or shouldn’t have had access to before. It is dead easy to get any documents printed if you know where to go. Perhaps a false plate with your registration and you are completely cloned, try getting out of that. In the past the one thing criminals couldn’t easily get was your badge number, that’s why I thought it was private. Also any other motorist, cyclist could hold this over you and report you for anything while your’e at work which the PCO will open up a complaint on your file over. The badge number should be on the back only accessible to those with a right to ask for it.
editor 1 says:
January 23, 2012 at 10:08 am (UTC 1 )
Hi Paul, we have heard nothing about license fees rising to pay for these identifiers, but we do know that they cost LTPH £54,000 with approx £10,000 set aside per year for the foreseeable future for replacements etc.
We also know that the budget for the provision and maintenance of Taxi ranks has been cut from £46,000 2 years ago down to approx £5000 for this year.
Could this be where the money has come from to pay for this ID scheme?
Poundnote Paul says:
January 23, 2012 at 12:10 pm (UTC 1 )
Tony-tcm I agree with a lot of what you’re saying there
Hi ed I only joined the forum last night,anything that gets us communicating and sticking together is a breath of fresh air!
London’s cab drivers could achieve most things if we all stuck together more.
Unity is POWER
With regards as to how much the identifiers will cost us, the drivers,if our 3 yearlys go up by £80 then x that by 25000 cabbies and that’s £2 million quid the pco will make every 3 years.even if our licenses go up by £40 then they’ll make £1 million every 3 years.i think you said it cost them £54000 to set up plus £10,000 set aside per year , that’s £64,000 it’s cost them in first year then £10,000 per year subsequently .even allowing for rank budget cuts of £41,000 a year ,securicor should be busier than ever.kerchinggg!
john says:
January 30, 2012 at 11:48 am (UTC 1 )
we should refuse to accept our badge number on these identifiers,far to much info for joe public.Why is it not protected by data protection.We must protest this matter ,along with all the other back stabbing rules we take from “THE MOB”.
Ali says:
January 31, 2012 at 1:05 am (UTC 1 )
Hello to all black cab drivers:
I am a driver like all of you, you are fighting each other but you you don’t want to see the problem, the minicabs is the problem not other black cab.
all london driver says:
March 2, 2012 at 6:11 pm (UTC 1 )
Firstly there should be no identifiers because we are showing our badge number to the public. We already have a taxi licence number at the back which shows its a licensed taxi. We are now even more vulnerable. Its called data unprotection. Anyone can now report you falsely to PCO with no proof. The odd cyclict, and motorist. The PCO has now made a division between green badges and yellow badges, which is totally pointless. They are taxis and we are taxis. The main problem we cab drivers have is the never ending minicab licences that PCO are throwing out. There should be a control of minicab operators licence, and should not be granted near any taxi rank. The touts, clip board johnnies (CBJ) that operate every night. The pedicabs and so on. These are the real issues the PCO needs to address, and not to create a fight between yellow and green badges. As a green badge driver I respect all drivers, so we need to protest at Palestra and get these IDs removed. The cab trade has existed for well over 350 years, why is it in 2012 that they are modifying the London cab order 1934. Calling all drivers we must protest at Palestra.
Richard
Cab driver for 21 years
shawn says:
March 3, 2012 at 12:43 pm (UTC 1 )
like richard said, TFL are handing out phv licences for fun.
I work in the suburbs. goldersgreen st mini cab office inside also Edgware,
BLACK CAB RANKS OUTSIDE. so we know where the work is going.
PCO AND TFL. SHOULD BE ON TRIAL.
CENTRAL LONDON AND THE SUBURBS ARE SATURATED WITH PHV
ITS GOT TO STOP. thanks shawn
shawn says:
March 5, 2012 at 10:36 am (UTC 1 )
london underground
rent shop in their parades to dry cleaners, coffee shops,newsagents,
mini cabs etc.you would not get .2 dry cleaners in a parade, but they
will rent a outlet to a phv operator, with black cabs just a couple
of metres away.london underground own the ground .THEY HAVE
NO MORALES.as a member of RMT and UCG I demand strike
action and demos against london underground,thanks
shawn in the suburbs.
Bob limerick says:
March 5, 2012 at 8:29 pm (UTC 1 )
Shawn, well said mate I’m with you
Bob
Phil says:
March 28, 2012 at 4:25 am (UTC 1 )
By now I assume we have all received our begging letters from Boris begging indeed for our vote. How he has made concessions with regard the Olympics that panacea for all the country’s ills I fear not.
Now about the pedicabs unfortunately they do exploit a loophole in the current Hackney Carriage laws because they are not mechanically driven there were in fact however some that had small electric motors to help drive the wheels so these were illegal there was a bit of a crackdown on these some years ago.
The reason there has been no push from Boris to bring in laws to outlaw these ramshackle outfits is because Boris is trying to find a way to licence them, alas he is worried to go ahead as he is concerned about repercussions should someone be injured in these deathtraps. I know this because recently I had quite an indepth conversation in my cab with a woman who was in fact one of Boris’ aides at TFL.
Unfortunately a vote for Blue Boris, Red Ken, Pink Paddick or that frustrated hippy that is Jenny Jones will give us the status quo which from where I am sitting is not looking any better for our trade.
Angrycabby says:
March 29, 2012 at 7:45 am (UTC 1 )
at last some people in this trade are seeing the light. The LTDA has done a lot for the trade. They have given us 1000′s of licensed Mini cabs, reduced takings, crap vehicles, no back up, loads of red tape, licence fees, dictacab and dinosaurs.
Stick two fingers up at those idiots and let some new blood have a say. Be lucky out there
knowledgebod says:
April 4, 2012 at 8:47 am (UTC 1 )
I am currently a full time knowledge student and have just read one of your articles where it refers to the “law commission review” and how it will have major effects on the black cab industry.
Can you please expand on this with a few more details please
Merton & Sutton Driver with the Clapham Extension says:
April 7, 2012 at 6:35 pm (UTC 1 )
Come and see the situation in Wimbledon cab rank for yourselves. Oversupply of taxis, empty cabs cruising up and down. More new drivers coming out every month. What has PCO created. 60 minutes is the waiting time on the rank. That is one job in an hour. Long hours, night work, no social life, no time for family. Forget about going on holiday, because you wont afford one. The mini scabs are happy because they take all the work, and nothing is left. They earn more than us black cabbies. Well we shouldn’t be called black cabbies because we earn less than them. The mini scabs are the real black cabbies. We are called the poor cabbies. The situation in Wimbledon has gone from worse to Xtra worse. This is the life of a London cab driver who works from Wimbledon. You work 24/7, and earn peanuts. Not just in the Merton & Sutton sector, but in other sectors like Kingston Richmond and Hounslow, Croydon, Bromley. What is LTDA doing about it? Nothing!!! What will it do in the future? Again Nothing! Because they only care about Green Badges.
Now what will UCG do about it?
Let see
Let the voice of a surburban driver be heard!
Bob says:
April 8, 2012 at 9:25 pm (UTC 1 )
Merton&sutton driver with a clapham extension ,
Hi mate I don’t envy you or your suburban colleagues at all ,it must be very tough out there
As I am sure you must know green badge drivers are being shafted as well from all sides
You mention what are the UCG doing , well I’ve only been a member since November and as far
as I can see they are doing a great job for us in the short time they have been set up.
Ask your colleagues if they know what is really going on in the cab trade .
If as I suspect very little like me untill I joined the UCG they don’t keep you in the dark like most of the other orgs
( ie LTDA ltd, LCDC & Unite ) get them to log on to this site,the Anderson shelter & the London taxi drivers foram.
Are they members of an organisation ? If so do they know what they are doing for their members
Do they know about and are they turning up at demos? Whether in any suburb or in town YB / GB
Get them to ask the LTDA ltd ,LCDC & Unite if they are in them orgs why they did not turn up to a meeting called for by
The RMT when invites were sent to all cab trade orgs in a bid to unite us all Y/B&G/B
It’s no good sitting on the fence we all need to get involved before it is to late.
Join a trade org that lets you know what’s going on and does not keep you in the dark
That was a rant on behalf of the lets ( work & stick together party) Thank you
Have a good evening
Bob
Jimmy Riddle says:
April 22, 2012 at 11:13 am (UTC 1 )
I’m a green badge driver & have been for over 9 years, these identifiers have certainly opened a can of worms. Being a battersea boy, when it’s worth my while & I can get away with working the nonsense of the west end I like to work south west London ie Putney clapham common balham etc, can anyone give me a definitive answer where & where not yellow badge drivers are allowed to ply for trade & pick up, I honestly think that if the regular south London working GB drivers knew, they’d except it.. There seems to be so much of a grey area, i knew they could pick up on the little rank on the pavement, but are they allowed to pick up clapham high St, clapham common s.s by the Alexandra pub south side of station etc. Also battersea rise, northcote Rd, clapham south & north Putney high St, upper & lower Richmond rds etc etc . To say these areas weren’t sufficiently covered by GB drivers is an absolute nonsense, take a drive down to clapham junction & see the swarms of drivers trying to put on there. When are the pco going to stop bending over backwards to appease the YB mob, it’s quite simple, you wanna pick up in the GB sector, DO THE GREEN BADGE ..
Merton & Sutton Driver with Clapham Extension says:
May 1, 2012 at 2:35 am (UTC 1 )
Jimmy Riddle. We are allowed to work from Green Badge areas as you mentioned in your post. It’s the PCO allowing us to work in these areas because we have our extension, so please don’t be surprised to see yellow badge drivers in clapham & Putney. Clapham is a real yellow badge area. South of the river is allocated to yellow badges. In order to earn money mate, you need to go north of the river and stop being a lazy cabbie. Most green badges don’t know how to work and blaming it on yellow badges nicking their work while there are too many minicabs touting all around nicking your jobs under your noses, and you don’t giving a damn about it. You are one of those lazy cab drivers who cannot navigate around London, hence cannot earn money, so you blame it on your yellow badge colleagues. Mate you don’t know how to work, there is plenty of work available in your green badge area. It looks like you forgot your roads. You are giving me the impression to think of you as a coco the clown GB driver. Nowadays the examiners are passing any one who has got no common sense. So please go back to your blue book runs, revise them again, know your runs & points, when you know how to navigate, then you can work and earn money from West End and you don’t have to come to Clapham or Putney again…
Clapham Extension Driver Sector 6 says:
May 2, 2012 at 2:20 pm (UTC 1 )
Jimmy Riddle. Some of green badge areas are also yellow badge areas like clapham, putney extension. Don’t be shocked to see us in these areas. These identifiers have for sure opened up a few uneducated green worms as well working in yellow badge areas unaware. Do your homework first. South of the river is allocated to yellow badges. To earn money mate, you need to go north of the river. You won’t earn money working in suburban areas. And if you wanna escape the nonsense of the west end, then you’ll have to deal with the nonsense of working with yellow badges and chat nonsense here. Open your eyes and see at every pub and bar, and you will see CBJs, satellite offices, touts, illegally parked scabs, nicking your work, under your noses every night of the week. Where is the work gonna come from then? Are we nicking them? They also say if you cannot navigate, then you cannot earn money. I suggest go back to your blue book and revise your roads. When you can navigate confidently, then you can earn money. You look like you are one of those lazy coco the clown cabbie who does not know how to work, and blame it on your yellow badge colleagues nicking your work. Nowadays the examiners are passing anyone with no common sense…