Hackney Cab drivers launch £1 to town scheme (From Bucks Free Press)

am i missing something here but don't all taxi's have a large white sign on them. I don't think i would know the difference. Also the public adverts repeatedly advise against flagging down a taxi and recommend that you only use pre-booked cabs.

I'd happily pay more than £1 if the driver promised not to use his mobile phone while he was driving. Also I've yet to see a black London-style cab on the station rank - I can't believe thare are 50 in Wycombe.

Very innovative - hackney cabs will almost certainly have been picked up from one of the town ranks; they will returning empty to town to rejoin the rank and await the next fare. If they can pick up someone on the way, even a £1 is a £1 more than they would otherwise get, for driving almost the same journey!
Unlike London cabs, the local cabs do not drive round, making themselves available to be hailed - you have to go to a rank to find one.

The 'pound to town' scheme is an excellent idea.
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As far as I am concerned the taxi drivers are one of groups that can be considered the heroes of Wycombe as they do such a good job for our town.
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Have you read Ivor’s blog today? Click on the “BLOGS” link at the top of the page.

Ghulam, could you answer a couple of questions for me:

Its about the cabs that are out in High Wycombe town-centre after 2am on a Saturday and Sunday morning. You know, the ones that slow down near any pedestrian that is still out and offers them a lift 1 mile down the road for £20, are they private hire or hackney carriages?

One more question, with regard to other cars, out at about the same time, and driven by young asian males, that sometimes just look like someone's car and not a taxi at all, and slows down to a stop near anyone passed out on the pavement, bundles them into the back seat, rifles their pockets for all their cash and drops them one mile down the road, are they private hire vehicles or hackney carriages Ghulam?

I have got number plates if that would help?

Stalemate wrote:
Ghulam, could you answer a couple of questions for me:

Its about the cabs that are out in High Wycombe town-centre after 2am on a Saturday and Sunday morning. You know, the ones that slow down near any pedestrian that is still out and offers them a lift 1 mile down the road for £20, are they private hire or hackney carriages?

One more question, with regard to other cars, out at about the same time, and driven by young asian males, that sometimes just look like someone's car and not a taxi at all, and slows down to a stop near anyone passed out on the pavement, bundles them into the back seat, rifles their pockets for all their cash and drops them one mile down the road, are they private hire vehicles or hackney carriages Ghulam?

I have got number plates if that would help?

Well stalemate instead of spouting stuff like the above on here, if you have numberplates why not report it to the council and police so they can take action?

I think its a great idea.

The confusion can sometimes lie due to the style of cab used. The city where I am originally from has a rule that "Hackney Cabs" must be proper "Cabs". I.E. The London Style TX1 etc.

This way everyone knows and is familiar with the taxis they can hail whereas the private hires are all normal cars.

A good idea though and hope it takes off

Stalemate wrote:
Ghulam, could you answer a couple of questions for me:

Its about the cabs that are out in High Wycombe town-centre after 2am on a Saturday and Sunday morning. You know, the ones that slow down near any pedestrian that is still out and offers them a lift 1 mile down the road for £20, are they private hire or hackney carriages?

One more question, with regard to other cars, out at about the same time, and driven by young asian males, that sometimes just look like someone's car and not a taxi at all, and slows down to a stop near anyone passed out on the pavement, bundles them into the back seat, rifles their pockets for all their cash and drops them one mile down the road, are they private hire vehicles or hackney carriages Ghulam?

I have got number plates if that would help?

If I was a young asian taxi driver, I would feel offended by your comment.

If you feel someone, taxi driver or otherwise is providing a taxi at a totally unacceptable price or he isn't a register taxi, then you can forward the details to the council and they will look into your claim. The council is very strict in enforcing the conditions and on stamping out illegally operating taxi / drivers.

Posting this to a spokesman isn't the way to channel any concerns you have.

I use my taxi provider on a regular basis, and it is a young asian driver who is smart, trustworthy and honest with the fare

An excellent idea.

My only regret is that I don't walk in the direction of town very often but well worth knowing in case I am in that situation.

Where have all the comments gone?

Welwyn Dowd wrote:
I'd happily pay more than £1 if the driver promised not to use his mobile phone while he was driving. Also I've yet to see a black London-style cab on the station rank - I can't believe thare are 50 in Wycombe.

Hi,
You don't see the London style cab on the train station rank because chiltern railways won't issue the permits for them to park there. They are discriminating these vehicles where the government is promoting them because they are wheelchair access vehicles. You will find them all parked on the High Street taxi rank.

Stalemate wrote:
Ghulam, could you answer a couple of questions for me:

Its about the cabs that are out in High Wycombe town-centre after 2am on a Saturday and Sunday morning. You know, the ones that slow down near any pedestrian that is still out and offers them a lift 1 mile down the road for £20, are they private hire or hackney carriages?

One more question, with regard to other cars, out at about the same time, and driven by young asian males, that sometimes just look like someone's car and not a taxi at all, and slows down to a stop near anyone passed out on the pavement, bundles them into the back seat, rifles their pockets for all their cash and drops them one mile down the road, are they private hire vehicles or hackney carriages Ghulam?

I have got number plates if that would help?

The Hackney taxis cannot charge £20 for one mile because they are metered taxis and for one mile at that time the fare would be about £5.00.

I would just like to thank the Hackney Trade for coming up with such a unique idea. I am a local who uses the buses on a daily basis and it is quite tiring waiting around for buses which are often late. This would atleast give me the comfort of knowing i can flag down a Hackney taxi which I never knew and also only £1! I always see Hackney taxis driving by and I will definitely be taking advantage of this new scheme.
Once again, well done and thanks!

These cab drivers aren't heroes - they are (not all I might add) some of the worst drivers I have ever ever come across. Erratic, running lights, changing lanes inappropriately, driving too fast and worse after 1130pm ...

Never mind the £1 into Wycombe, its the fare coming out that should be imprroved, they are shocking compared to private hire vehicles. You will also be guaranteed a roller coaster ride too as they wizz back to get back on the rank!

Lividov wrote:
These cab drivers aren't heroes - they are (not all I might add) some of the worst drivers I have ever ever come across. Erratic, running lights, changing lanes inappropriately, driving too fast and worse after 1130pm ...

I agree, especially the T***r cabs, I wouldn't get into one of these if you paid me. Mostly their standard of driving is atrocious.

300Aylesbury wrote:
Never mind the £1 into Wycombe, its the fare coming out that should be imprroved, they are shocking compared to private hire vehicles. You will also be guaranteed a roller coaster ride too as they wizz back to get back on the rank!

Hackney Taxis might be a £1 or £2 more expensive but for the convenience of the customer it is there to be hired immediately whereas you can wait for a private hire vehicle sometimes anything from 30 minutes to an hour. This is not good service especially when it is raining or freezing cold.

BOOKERite wrote:

Lividov wrote:
These cab drivers aren't heroes - they are (not all I might add) some of the worst drivers I have ever ever come across. Erratic, running lights, changing lanes inappropriately, driving too fast and worse after 1130pm ...

I agree, especially the T***r cabs, I wouldn't get into one of these if you paid me. Mostly their standard of driving is atrocious.

Your probably a private hire vehicle driver. The best drivers are the Hackney Taxi drivers.

Lividov wrote:
These cab drivers aren't heroes - they are (not all I might add) some of the worst drivers I have ever ever come across. Erratic, running lights, changing lanes inappropriately, driving too fast and worse after 1130pm ...

Sounds useful.

But not for me.
I think I'll stick to travelling in a vehicle that obeys most of the 'rules of the road', most of the time.

Hackney Trade wrote:

BOOKERite wrote:

Lividov wrote:
These cab drivers aren't heroes - they are (not all I might add) some of the worst drivers I have ever ever come across. Erratic, running lights, changing lanes inappropriately, driving too fast and worse after 1130pm ...

I agree, especially the T***r cabs, I wouldn't get into one of these if you paid me. Mostly their standard of driving is atrocious.

Your probably a private hire vehicle driver. The best drivers are the Hackney Taxi drivers.

No I'm not actually. I am just a driver who spends most of the time trying to avoid them around the streets of High Wycombe. I do occasionly use taxi's but haven't a clue how to order a Hackney cab. Perhaps you could give me a telephone number?

So what's the difference between hackney & private hire apart from one you can hail & one has to be pre booked? I.e. does the licence cost more, are there stricter police checks, are there stricter vehicle conditions? Otherwise, wouldn't all taxis be hackney?

Anyway, i think all taxis are generally too expensive if you're travelling by yourself. I would never ever get a taxi by myself but for £1 i would. I got one a few months back (in Chiltern DC) because my friend couldn't walk the 1 mile journey. It cost £6 & the driver's attitude was like it almost wasnt worth his effort! And lets just ignore the 60mph he was doing all through a 30mph zone shall we!

BOOKERite wrote:

Hackney Trade wrote:

BOOKERite wrote:

Lividov wrote:
These cab drivers aren't heroes - they are (not all I might add) some of the worst drivers I have ever ever come across. Erratic, running lights, changing lanes inappropriately, driving too fast and worse after 1130pm ...

I agree, especially the T***r cabs, I wouldn't get into one of these if you paid me. Mostly their standard of driving is atrocious.

Your probably a private hire vehicle driver. The best drivers are the Hackney Taxi drivers.

No I'm not actually. I am just a driver who spends most of the time trying to avoid them around the streets of High Wycombe. I do occasionly use taxi's but haven't a clue how to order a Hackney cab. Perhaps you could give me a telephone number?

To get a Hackney Taxi they are normally on the ranks in High Wycombe. They are parked in Frogmoore, High Street, Bus Station, Sainsburys and Lily's walk. So next time you get a taxi from these locations, do ask a driver for a telephone number.