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Representing the London Taxi Network, DaC Chairman Brian Rice has
pulled off the notable feat of helping to bring about this trade’s possible
best opportunity of bringing in a semblance of unity.
For several years Brian has been attending Taxi Board meetings
for LTN (formerly JRTA), However, when the LTDA and T&G pulled off, Taxi Board
started to drift and although they had made many contacts and conducted some
very useful meetings with the Mayor and Government officials, Brian felt that
their current position could not progress much further unless representatives
from all the other driver organisations were also included and as a result, had
been pushing TB to invite driver organisations to apply for membership. He also
attended meetings of driver organisations giving them his view and urging them
to consider joining. Soon after, these other organisations did apply and their
membership of Taxi Board was accepted almost unanimously. |
Brian told Call Sign: "I was really concerned at the way the
trade has become more fragmented than ever before with different trade
organisations all going to the Mayor and putting forward different suggestions.
I felt it was about time we could all sit round a table as equals, discussing
common policies that an agreed Taxi Board spokesperson could put before
the Mayor.
It seems that we may be on the verge of something significant. Of
course there will be disagreements within Taxi Board, but these will hopefully
be within the confines of a closed door discussion and that common policies
will come out. Speaking on a
personal note, I am delighted and excited to have been involved in bringing
the groups together." And what about
the LTDA and T&G, have they been approached?
"No," replied Brian, "they both resigned and
should they wish to rejoin, then they should |
reapply. I feel sure that their applications would be looked at
favourably."
What about the LTDA/T&G charge of Taxi Board being a vested
interest?
"We’re all vested interests," replied Brian, "the two
organisations you refer to have the vested interest of gaining more members,
without whose funds they would eventually cease to exist."
This could be the start of a significant turning point for the
licensed taxi business. Let’s hope it succeeds…
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