Yes Taxi touting is rife and it doesn't just happen at Christmas. London is falling to pieces at night and all those in authority with the exception of John Mason (new Director of Taxis and Mini-cabs) should hang their collective heads in shame.
Lawless London is a nightmare at times with no coherent strategy to deal with the drink and drug problem other than to let some dodgy chap shove people into the back of any car,licensed or not. Well here at the RMT specialist transport Union we intend to fight back and use the very pledge announced by the Metropolitan Police to spot, collate and collect details of licensed and un-licensed mini-cabs ranking illegally and touting for business on the public highway.
Other trade organisations have done this before but like most things in life unless you are committed to a cause interest tails off and complacency sets in. Here at the RMT London Taxi branch we are fully committed to protecting your hard earned right to ply for hire.Others may talk but are they prepared for the long hard walk? The answer is simple, I think not. What ever you may read elsewhere just take a long hard look at this trade and you'll see we are in real trouble.This hasn't happened under our watch but others,who think they know best but have failed to protect our right to ply for hire. The facts are clear in many cases and we have case/common law on our side yet there are some amongst us who have a fear of failure and choose to do nothing other than batten down the hatches and hope for the best. By doing nothing we then fail and at present this trade is accepting the fact that TFL think it is ok to allow mini-cabs to ply for hire by standing in a street forming an illegal taxi-cab rank. The answer is very clear it is not legal and this is an example of touting which we shall bring to the attention of those in authority and place the ball firmly in their court and then simply request that they carry out their duties. If they can't or won't then we have a problem but rest assured we won't be frightened to seek and take legal advice and if necessary we will mount pickets, demonstrations, media campaigns until this unlawful behaviour stops and those in authority deal with the issue.
If you are a member please log onto http://www.rmtlondoncalling.org.uk/node/1248 and download the leaflet and then simply fill in the back.Once you have completed the form return it to the freepost address with your membership number. If you are not a member and you want to get involved and save your trade please do log onto http://www.rmt.org.uk/ and join online or you can request an application form by emailing the branch secretary at Londontaxi@rmt.org.uk
Remember touting is rife and not just at Christmas...
