Some news from the rather odd looking building on Blackfriars Road and it is regarding the PHV Consultation.
It appears that Taxi Private Hire (TPH) a directorate of Transport for London (TFL) needs a reasonable amount of time to now compile its conclusions to a consultation that was meant to have closed before Christmas but was extended to the 14th January 2010 to help some organisations/associations actually respond.
The issue for the RMT London Taxi branch is very clear.PHV's more commonly known as mini-cabs DO NOT have the right to ply for hire. Plying for Hire by way of legal definition eg stated case law is a "stationary activity" this occurs when you sit on a rank or stand or you stop in a street or road after responding to a hail. Now somebody at TFL created the "Satellite" or sub mini-cab office and I'm afraid somebody will need to take responsibility for this most disastrous policy that has created "illegal" ranks with operators "touting/soliciting" upon the pavement.
After TPH have sifted through all responses it will be for the main board of TFL and a sub committee called the surface transport panel to decide the actual outcome of this consultation.
Please be assured that the RMT London Taxi branch will take all necessary action to defend our members hard earned right to "ply for hire" and we call upon the TPH/TFL and the Mayor of London to end the madness of the Satellite mini-cab office/illegal rank.
Join the RMT online at www.rmt.org.uk
