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Hospital rank denied as cabbies suffer
12:54pm Wednesday 1st October 2008
A BID to set up a taxi rank outside a hospital has been turned down by health chiefs as cabbies battle against the credit crunch.
The London Cab Drivers Club wants to set up a rank outside Farnborough's Princess Royal University Hospital for patients and staff.
But Bromley Hospitals NHS Trust has denied its request, stating there is not enough space for the iconic black cabs.
The club has around 1,000 members and its secretary Steve Eagle says that the new rank would help generate extra business for black cab drivers.
Mr Eagle, himself a black cab driver from Chatham in Kent but working in London, said: "Things have changed a lot in London and it is tough out there for our drivers.
"The rank at the hospital would mean patients and staff could make their own way home and give them a bit of independence.
"We pick up a lot of hospital staff up from Orpington station in the mornings but then they can't get back in the evenings.
"Our members are struggling to pay their bills at the moment which is why we need to try and open more ranks for them - black cab drivers are struggling to make ends meet.
"A lot of our work is stolen by minicabs and drivers are not even earning the minimum wage now.
He added: "With the cost of fuel going up and the credit crunch, everything is playing its part."
The London Cab Drivers Club was founded in 1989 and represents the interests of black cabbies in the capital.
A spokesman for the hospital said: "Our taxi needs are currently fulfilled for patients, visitors and staff by a private cab company with whom we have a contract.
"This works extremely well for all parties concerned and avoids the need to turn valuable car park space into a rank for standing taxis."
Your Say YourShopper
Joe, Bromley says...
10:11am Thu 2 Oct 08
Time black cabbies realised that the competition out there is good for the consumer. You do not have a monopoly, and thank god for that!
Black Taxi User, London says...
5:26pm Thu 2 Oct 08
1) They often don't know where they are going
2) They often don't speak English
3) They charge what they like (never the same twice)
4) They do not want to help disabled passengers, & cannot accomodate wheelchairs
I always use the friendly Black Taxi who have to by law display their prices in the rear where passengers sit. Also they are not allowed to refuse a fare if their hire light is on so get your facts right 'minicabs united'.
They also display the journey price as you travel, so it is not 'made up' on the spot.
I would rather pay a slightly higher fare, knowing I am being looked after by a professional driver, who I feel safe with.
Minicabs united, Orpington says...
2:42pm Sat 4 Oct 08
I would rather pay a slightly higher fare, knowing I am being looked after by a professional driver, who I feel safe with.
Since when has double fare been slightly higher. I admit that their are some Mini-cab drivers who don't do the industry any good. But tell me if there is any industry that don't have it's shady side. Even the govenment isn't squeeky clean. But there are plenty of Black cab drivers who don't know where they are going
1) They often don't know where they are goingYou can't expext any driver Mini cab or Black cab to know every road in every area, also when you become a driver you are not bourne with the knowledge of every road. Like anything it takes time.
I notice that there was 0 responses to my earler questions.
Just 1 thing to notice, A large majorty of black cab drivers ( in the Oprington area at least) were mini-cab drivers.
haven't you heard black cab user of Black cabs taking long routes in heavey traffic to get a good increase in fares?
IF MINI CABS WERE SO BAD, WHY DO A TAKE SOME BLACK-CAB DRIVERS TO THE AIRPORT.
Proves that Mini-cabs can't be that bad if they themsolves will use us.
Black Taxi User, London says...
7:38pm Sun 5 Oct 08
You can't expext any driver Mini cab or Black cab to know every road in every area, also when you become a driver you are not bourne with the knowledge of every road.
Don't Black Taxi Drivers have to spend years learning 'The Knowledge?' Mini cab drivers just arm themselves with an A-Z and think they are in the same class!
I notice that there was 0 responses to my earler questions.
What was the actual question?
IF MINI CABS WERE SO BAD, WHY DO A TAKE SOME BLACK-CAB DRIVERS TO THE AIRPORT.
I do not believe this for 1 minute
David Green, Farham says...
3:45am Mon 6 Oct 08
Never mind chap,just think when the recession REALLY starts to bite and another 3000 people decide to become Minicab drivers?
That should put you on about £15 a day
LOL.
;)
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Black cab drivers are not earning the minimum wage according to the London Cab Drivers Club
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mini cabs united, orpington says...
8:07pm Wed 1 Oct 08
You may find that people use a phone a call for a mini-cab who are usually cheaper and the drivers will get OUT of the car and help people in.
Don't balck cab drivers realise that they are not the only people suffering with the credit crunch. Mini-cab drivers suffer as well, and we have circuit fees to pay. All black cab drivers want to do is nick work of others.
So people know, What is your millage rate?
Our's is £2.00 per mile, day or night.
Is there a black cab driver out there, brave enough to state their prices?
Lets wait and see!
Ever wondered why there are black cabs parked by the Super bowl in Orpington?
They use the rank as a car-park. Don't ask them to take you home, with you 8 bags of shopping, they won't! That means they will have to load the cab, and then ( God forbid) they will have to unload it when you get home. If you don't believe me, ask a black cab driver at the Super bowl to do the shopping trip, and be shocked by their reply.
remember, they only use the high street ranks as a free car-park.
It's about time, truths about the black cab industry came out!!!