In message , Chris Read
writes
It is demonstrably the case that 'black' cabs contribute significantly to
congestion within central London.

Is it demonstrable? What facts and figures do you have to support this
statement?

Buses, with their far more frequent stopping and starting cause far more
problems. On the very few occasions that buses have gone on strike the
traffic actually flowed far more freely.

Therefore, why are they exempt from the congestion charge?

The Congestion charge is actually included (albeit at the reduced rate)
in our annual vehicle licence fee. In any case the charge is only levied
once per day - and that only for the times it is operation.

As I work nights and weekends, should I be getting a refund?

I know taxi
drivers have lots of votes in marginal constituencies such as Ilford North,
Eltham and Finchley, but other than this political consideration, were there
any *good* reasons for excluding taxis from the CC?

Vehicles entering and leaving the congestion charge zone, other than
just passing through are often parked, contributing to the congestion.
If the driver is unable to find a parking space they will drive around
looking for one, causing further congestion. With a taxi the driver
stays with the vehicle and when the passenger has completed the journey
the vehicle is then free for the use of another passenger. Without taxis
there would be a larger number of private vehicles in the area. Buses
just don't go to all the directions that some passenger require and
certainly not with one start and stop.

The cost to taxi drivers could surely have been offset by increasing the
meter rate, which those with expense accounts who form the majority of black
cab clientele would hardly notice or care about.

You really don't know the total mix of customers do you? What about the
old age pensioner or the sick and disabled who use taxis as there is no
other easily accessible form of affordable transport? Are you going to
penalise them? Or are you going to increase the number of people getting
the taxicard subsidy and increase the value they are entitled to? What
are you going to do for those in wheelchairs - punish them with an
increase in taxi fares just because they can't get on a bus?

If economic circumstances are going to force cuts in the bus network, and/or
dramatic fare increases, isn't it time to look at this again?

If the bus network is cut you want more taxis to meet any increase in
demand and you certainly don't want to penalise the displaced bus
passengers by adding more to the fare.

In any case, during the daytime it can be cheaper for 4 or 5 passengers
travelling a short distance to take a taxi rather that a bus or tube.


--
Mike Hughes
A Taxi driver licensed for London and Brighton
at home in Tarring, West Sussex, England
Interested in American trains real and model?
Look here http://mikehughes627.fotopic.net/