More trade stories than all the others put together Issue 222 September 2014 INSIDE THE MAN LEON DANIELS WITH THE REPLIES TO LCDC PAGE 3 APP TO NEWS CHANGE DAVID LAMMY THROWS HIS HAT IN THE RING PAGE 6 THE TRADE NEWS ROTHSCHILD’S PLAN TO REVOLUTIONISE TAXI INDUSTRY INTERVIEW WITH CAROLINE PIDGEON - FULL STORY: PAGES 4 & 5 PAGES 8 & 9 2 Issue 222 - September 2014 Editorial: MAYOR UNVEILS HIS of this App could quite possibly revolutionise the way in which 18 MILE CROSSRAIL Londoners use us. For the first time we FOR THE BIKE have an App that is aimed at the totally new market, through its ability to Just when we thought that the news facilitate cab sharing on a new level. Published by out of TfL could not get any worse We have had several meetings with The London Cab Drivers’ Club Ltd. Unit A 303.2, after the UBER debacle, TfL have the parties concerned in its Tower Bridge Business Complex announced that they are going development and we are very Tower Point, 100 Clements Road ahead with their 18 mile east – west optimistic that this could enhance the Southwark, London SE16 4DG route from Barking to Acton! future of our industry, at a time when Also there are plans for a north – we have never been under more Telephone: 020 7232 0676 south route that will run for more than 3 pressure to survive. On pages 4-5 miles between Elephant & Castle and there is a Q&A with Nathaniel E-mail for membership enquiries: King’s Cross. Subject to detailed public Rothschild and his partners. E-mail: [email protected] consultation which begins this month, Web: lcdcorg.wordpress.com the work would start early next year DAVID LAMMY THROWS Editor: Grant Davis and the routes would open in March 2016, at a cost of a staggering £913m! HIS HAT IN THE RING The Badge is distributed free to the When you come round from fainting Licensed London Cab Trade. after reading this, please turn to page Last month, myself and Club For advertising enquiries please contact the office on 13, where Alan McGrady will provide a secretary Darryl Cox met with MP GLA INVESTIGATION 020 7394 5553 or E-mail: [email protected] more detailed report on TfL plans. David Lammy to discuss the state of All advertising in The Badge is accepted under our the taxi trade in the capital. Finally, the GLA is conducting an terms and conditions. These are available at the LCDC office. At the time he was considering whether investigation into taxi & private hire Before entering into any commitment, financial MAAXI to stand as the labour candidate for services by TfL. or otherwise, always remember to seek London Mayor. This week he finally There is an interview and more professional advice. Over the last few years the licensed came out and declared his hand. information on pages 8-9 of this edition. The views expressed in this publication are not taxi trade has embraced technology After spending some considerable time GLA would like as many taxi drivers to necessarity those fo the Editor or of the Management Committee of the to give Londoners a service second with him we found his views on the taxi express their views on the running of London Cab Driver’s Club. to none. trade and London in general quite our trade. Contributions for publication are welcomed The latest App that will be rolled out to refreshing. Should he be successful we and should be sent to the Editor at the the taxi trade this month is Maaxi. We think he could be quite positive for our above address. at the Club believe that the introduction industry. Grant Davis The London Cab Drivers’ Club Ltd. Issue 222 - September 2014 3 Leon Daniels replies to LCDC chairman Dear Grant, TfL did when reaching a decision caused delay and further uncertainty about Uber’s operating model and it in relation to this issue and has I refer to your letter dated 23rd did so having taken proper legal prevented TFL from taking further July 2014 addressed to Members advice. steps to clarify the position. of TfL’s Surface Transport Panel I realise there has been TFL has already indicated that it is to which I have been asked to widespread concern about TfL’s perfectly prepared to enforce the reply. I have also read the article decision that smart phones used by decision of the High Court and the you refer to in “The Badge” about Uber drivers to receive information delay in securing clarification is very Uber. about fares, based on the precise regrettable. You state that TfL has abdicated its wording of the private hire legislation We do not agree, as suggested in responsibility to the taxi and private are, on balance, not taximeters. your newspaper, that where a together with TFL on these hire trade and I assume you refer However, to provide a definite and private prosecution is underway, complicated and developing issues. specifically to decisions about Uber. binding interpretation of what is, we there is no prohibition on the High You also make a complaint about It is not the case that TfL has accept a finely balanced legal Court considering the same or the attitude of Garrett Emmerson abdicated its responsibility by not position TfL clearly indicated its similar issues. towards the taxi trade in your letter. making a decision in relation to intention to seek a declaration from TFL takes its regulatory Again your complaint is not Uber, or any other private hire the High Court about this issue. responsibilities very seriously and substantiated. If you provide more booking App. TfL has made a Despite being aware of this, the has done so in the case of Uber. details of precisely what your decision that Uber is operating LTDA went on to start criminal Your suggestion that TFL has taken complaint is, and the evidence for it. lawfully under the terms of the proceedings against individual Uber a decision to abdicate these I will consider it further. private Hire Vehicles (London) Act drivers for breach of the same responsibilities is without foundation. 1998. I appreciate that this is a prohibition that we were clear we Following a careful and thorough decision that will not be welcome by would be seeking a High Court investigation we have taken some in the Trades but TfL’s role as declaration about. I suggest that it is decisions about Uber and where the Yours Sincerely regulator and licensing authority for the decision of the LTDA to law is unclear we have said so, Leon Daniels – the trades is to apply the law commence these prosecutions openly, inviting support from the Managing impartially, with an open mind, and (which will not now be heard until trades to clarify the issues. I suggest Director Surface based on careful consideration of December of this year) and not any that it is in everybody’s interests that Transport the evidence. This is precisely what inaction on the part of TFL, that has going forward the trades work LCDC RESPONDS Dear Leon, We can agree on the following: their job. It is your role to make principles. You have heard all this • TfL is charged with the regulation decisions and for others to react. That before, and not only from the LCDC, There was something dismally of the taxi and private hire trade role is destroyed if you make decisions and nothing happens. inevitable about the contents of your • As regulator you have to make amid claims you do not have faith in ‘Not fit for purpose’ is perhaps already letter of 8 August 2014 and the initial balanced decisions in a judicious them. becoming an over-used phrase that view in the office was that as it was manner free of pressures and And to make it worse you have invited lacks urgency but there is an another of little value it should be filed and influences all interested parties to join you in the expression that applies to your corner forgotten. • Inevitably your decisions will not court action for what amounts to a of TfL: ‘Shape Up or Ship Out’. Which However, after a little reflection it was always satisfy everyone. group exploration of how you should do is it to be, Leon? thought that a reply would be an your job. For an organisation that is opportunity to clarify what must clearly These points are made in the third incapable of consultation on a day-to- Yours sincerely, baffle you and especially your staff at paragraph of your letter and if you were day basis, you have suddenly become Grant Davis TfL. What exactly goes through their a half competent regulator there would all embracing and inclusive. No one is minds when they see placards have been no need to proceed further. fooled by wanting everyone to be P.S. In case this letter seems critical proclaiming ‘TfL Not Fit for Purpose’, or Unfortunately you were obliged to involved in your failure to act. That is there is one matter that deserves credit. see senior staff characterised as sitcom continue. why the word ‘abdication’ readily comes For decades there has been an buffoon characters from ‘On the Having presented yourself as a to mind. unhealthy antagonism between the cab Buses’. Did you really not understand fearless decision maker you then As you are well aware, we have and private hire trades, one that has, I our accusation that TfL has abdicated explain that you are so doubtful of the chronicled in our paper the alarming am sure, benefited you while hindering its authority or are you playing that old quality of your legal advice that you shortcomings of your staff.