One single thing that makes you think "knob" Vol 4

[S1KRR]

Problem for Mayor Khan is that his crooked and corrupt ways have helped the crooked and corrupt LTDA set the rules.

I hope Khan loses this. Yes the "racist" angle isn't clever.

But if it crushes the LTDAs spirits I'll bathe in it!

[nonsequitur]

Me, yesterday.

I actually thought that the Audi driver behind would not tailgate me in a 40 mph stretch within an NSL road, and that he wouldn't OT me on a blind bend when the 40 ended and the NSL continued.

Wrong on all counts. (an extra U in there).

Edited by nonsequitur on Tuesday 30th June 17:20

[donkmeister]

markyb_lcy said:

I do think black cabs are overpriced and I'm highly aware of my right to use or not use them based on this. As it happens I don't take cabs often in London but when I do it's usually an Uber because I prefer to order one to my destination rather than wave my arms around in the street like a Team America extra

So your argument is because black cabs are "iconic" and are in the minority vs other types of taxi, that they should be immune from the CC?

Personally I think it would be more "fair" to either charge all or charge none.

I find it difficult to make a logical argument on this one but think only black cabs should get the exemption... I also think A****** L** should f&£# off and stop using bus lanes...

Emotionally, I feel that a cabbie has invested a lot of time and effort in training to do the job, and whilst internet-connected satnav systems are so good these days the cabbie will still have routes he can take that Google won't have thought of where he will avoid a particular snarl-up. They have invested in a career, they're an iconic part of London, they deserve a leg-up.
Uber drivers... I've used exactly one Uber in my life and it was perfectly fine, but riding in the back of a Prius watching someone follow their phone screen is hardly how you should experience the greatest city in the world.

Before satnav was ubiquitous any late night minicab journey always started with that discussion to find a place you both knew that was near enough to your home to act as a vague target "Do you know George Street? Marylebone? No? Marble Arch? Yes? Ok, drop me around there and I'll walk". And the car smelt of sick.
Once you actually found a black cab, and assuming there wasn't a pretty girl flagging down the taxi you'd spotted first, and assuming you weren't heading in the opposite direction to the cabbie's house, you just told him where you wanted to be and hey presto that's where you ended up.

[Frank7]

markyb_lcy said:

I do think black cabs are overpriced and I'm highly aware of my right to use or not use them based on this. As it happens I don't take cabs often in London but when I do it's usually an Uber because I prefer to order one to my destination rather than wave my arms around in the street like a Team America extra

So your argument is because black cabs are "iconic" and are in the minority vs other types of taxi, that they should be immune from the CC?

In a way, yes, but not because they’re iconic, but because they’ve always been the real deal, an emblem of London if you will.
The other mob are really for the most part a bunch of chancers, and they don’t drive taxis, at least not in London, maybe in their dreams, let ‘em pay for the privilege of being allowed to take that chance.

[biggbn]

Frank7 said:

markyb_lcy said:

I do think black cabs are overpriced and I'm highly aware of my right to use or not use them based on this. As it happens I don't take cabs often in London but when I do it's usually an Uber because I prefer to order one to my destination rather than wave my arms around in the street like a Team America extra

So your argument is because black cabs are "iconic" and are in the minority vs other types of taxi, that they should be immune from the CC?

In a way, yes, but not because they’re iconic, but because they’ve always been the real deal, an emblem of London if you will.
The other mob are really for the most part a bunch of chancers, and they don’t drive taxis, at least not in London, maybe in their dreams, let ‘em pay for the privilege of being allowed to take that chance.

Make them all pay. Fairest way. What's so special about a taxi that is is exempt, they must be huge polluters in any city centre. Muppets round my way sit in ranks with engines idling for as long as it takes to get a fare cos its a wee bit cold. Streets with ranks stink

[Blown2CV]

i do appreciate all the effort that london black cab drivers go to to get certified, but i guess even with a total novice of a driver the current guidance apps are often just good enough to get me from A to B in an Uber. I am not saying they have encoded all the knowledge, because sometimes the knowledgeable cabbie does know a back route that for some reason other drivers do not... but it's rare. Usually when it's busy, it's busy, and that's it. So when it comes down to it would I rather sit in a comfy car, not have to handle cash etc, or sit in what amounts to a rattly van thing (london cabs are not comfy) and pay twice the amount. Tough one.

[Ares]

carreauchompeur said:

True joy is being brake tested in an unmarked police vehicle

I did this years ago in an imported STi. Unmarked Vauxhall (no idea it was a police car), right up my arse, I touched the brakes without losing speed.

Blue lights, much indignation, PNC check. I just said there was an object in the road that I thought was an animal, and that if it caused concern perhaps he was too close,...Highway Code does/did state you should always be able to stop in the safe distance you can see.

[S1KRR]

donkmeister said:

Once you actually found a black cab, and assuming there wasn't a pretty girl flagging down the taxi you'd spotted first, and assuming you weren't heading in the opposite direction to the cabbie's house, you just told him where you wanted to be and hey presto that's where you ended up.

Or wanted to go South of the River!
Or ANYWHERE less desirable.

Or (in the bad old days, Pre mid 80s) you were Black!

There's a reason Uber are winning and the LTDA has to extort pressure on City Hall. Uber are faster, cleaner, more comfortable, more likely to pay correct taxes and you don't end up in an Uber going the "tourist route" to bump the fare up.

Addison Less suffer because everyone knows they are driven by dheads. So why when you aren't driving would you want to get in their car and keep them employed?

I'd go so far as to say that realistically in London all you need is the underground!

[Blown2CV]

i take the clipper when i can

[Export56]

I haven't been through the 431 pages but I don't think I've ever seen anyone who isn't a knob in a white car.
Every white car I see since has a so-called private plate with badly spaced letters, dark windows and driven by a knob
Went out on sunday, was passed by the ultimate knobbery 3 white range rovers driven by tatooed knobs. A52 from Grantham.
Parked up went for a walk, passed by a knob in a white bmw gt who had to give his 530 full beans on a windy country road.
Last week was cut up by a knob in a white a4 who gave me the finger.
Not sure if i can post the regs here in case the mods ban me.

[Europa1]

S1KRR said:

I'd go so far as to say that realistically in London all you need is the underground!

Does your realism include Covid-19?

[markyb_lcy]

S1KRR said:

I'd go so far as to say that realistically in London all you need is the underground!

Do you live in or around London?

The underground (Covid aside) is fine if you

- live near a station
- are travelling from somewhere in the centre to somewhere else in the centre
- are travelling from somewhere outside the centre to somewhere in the centre

If you want to go somewhere not in the centre from somewhere not in the centre, then inevitably you’ll need to also use a combination of overground, busses, trains, taxis, a bicycle, or my personal favourite ... a car

[HM-2]

markyb_lcy said:

Do you live in or around London?

The underground (Covid aside) is fine if you

- live near a station
- are travelling from somewhere in the centre to somewhere else in the centre
- are travelling from somewhere outside the centre to somewhere in the centre

If you want to go somewhere not in the centre from somewhere not in the centre, then inevitably you’ll need to also use a combination of overground, busses, trains, taxis, a bicycle, or my personal favourite ... a car

I'm firmly of the belief that if somewhere isn't within 15 minutes walk of a tube station, it's not really London. Though I must say that some of the inner city rail services are great.

[S1KRR]

markyb_lcy said:

Do you live in or around London?

The underground (Covid aside) is fine if you

- live near a station
- are travelling from somewhere in the centre to somewhere else in the centre
- are travelling from somewhere outside the centre to somewhere in the centre

If you want to go somewhere not in the centre from somewhere not in the centre, then inevitably you’ll need to also use a combination of overground, busses, trains, taxis, a bicycle, or my personal favourite ... a car

I meant that pretty much anywhere you are likely to use a Black Cab (if you are mentally challenged) is also where you can use the Tube. I usually use National Rail to get to a Tube and go from there. But YES I did vote for Zac at the last Mayoral election

In over 40years, I can count the number of times I've DRIVEN a car in Central London on 1 hand though! Why would you?

[markyb_lcy]

HM-2 said:

markyb_lcy said:

Do you live in or around London?

The underground (Covid aside) is fine if you

- live near a station
- are travelling from somewhere in the centre to somewhere else in the centre
- are travelling from somewhere outside the centre to somewhere in the centre

If you want to go somewhere not in the centre from somewhere not in the centre, then inevitably you’ll need to also use a combination of overground, busses, trains, taxis, a bicycle, or my personal favourite ... a car

I'm firmly of the belief that if somewhere isn't within 15 minutes walk of a tube station, it's not really London. Though I must say that some of the inner city rail services are great.

Plenty of zone 2 isn't near a tube station. A lot of SE London for example is served by the overground and DLR (though I think it's fair to include those in the "tube" network as they are the same kind of light rail).

[markyb_lcy]

S1KRR said:

markyb_lcy said:

Do you live in or around London?

The underground (Covid aside) is fine if you

- live near a station
- are travelling from somewhere in the centre to somewhere else in the centre
- are travelling from somewhere outside the centre to somewhere in the centre

If you want to go somewhere not in the centre from somewhere not in the centre, then inevitably you’ll need to also use a combination of overground, busses, trains, taxis, a bicycle, or my personal favourite ... a car

I meant that pretty much anywhere you are likely to use a Black Cab (if you are mentally challenged) is also where you can use the Tube. I usually use National Rail to get to a Tube and go from there. But YES I did vote for Zac at the last Mayoral election

In over 40years, I can count the number of times I've DRIVEN a car in Central London on 1 hand though! Why would you?

Honestly, I can't count on all bodily digits how many times I've driven in central London just within the past year

After hours and weekends, it has generally not been too bad, although the new Ccharge timings will absolutely kill that.

When my main client's office in Angel reopens I will probably still drive there from SE6 on the odd occasion I attend their office. I can avoid the Ccharge zone, I can avoid the tube (and masks) and I actually enjoy the drive! (I'm strange like that!). If it was daily rather than once every few weeks and I had to be there for 8/9am (rather than "when I feel like it") I would certainly take public transport.

[Cheeses of Nazareth]

S1KRR said:

In over 40years, I can count the number of times I've DRIVEN a car in Central London on 1 hand though! Why would you?

In 40 years i can count the number of times i have been to London ... Why would you .

Its almost like they are trying to get people to leave , so they can fill it up with more.. erm.. well , you know.

[markyb_lcy]

Cheeses of Nazareth said:

S1KRR said:

In over 40years, I can count the number of times I've DRIVEN a car in Central London on 1 hand though! Why would you?

In 40 years i can count the number of times i have been to London ... Why would you .

Its almost like they are trying to get people to leave , so they can fill it up with more.. erm.. well , you know.

No, we don't know ... why don't you tell us?

I'm amazed you know so much about a place and feel so strongly about it regardless of the fact you've not spent any time there.

[Frank7]

S1KRR said:

donkmeister said:

Once you actually found a black cab, and assuming there wasn't a pretty girl flagging down the taxi you'd spotted first, and assuming you weren't heading in the opposite direction to the cabbie's house, you just told him where you wanted to be and hey presto that's where you ended up.

Or wanted to go South of the River!
Or ANYWHERE less desirable.

Or (in the bad old days, Pre mid 80s) you were Black!

There's a reason Uber are winning and the LTDA has to extort pressure on City Hall. Uber are faster, cleaner, more comfortable, more likely to pay correct taxes and you don't end up in an Uber going the "tourist route" to bump the fare up.

Addison Less suffer because everyone knows they are driven by dheads. So why when you aren't driving would you want to get in their car and keep them employed?

I'd go so far as to say that realistically in London all you need is the underground!

Regularly blanking jobs going south of the river went out about the same time as the Bay City Rollers broke up in the mid eighties, likewise less desirable places, like Kilburn, Crouch End, and Cricklewood, although few in their right minds would put the TAXI light on after dropping a job out there.

Full disclosure, I picked up plenty of black people, young and old in The City, where they were suited and booted, and I was pretty confident that I’d get the meter fare, but if they wore a hoody, or a ball cap back to front, forget it, I’m not a racist, I’m a realist.

Uber are more likely to pay correct taxes? Maybe they are, but who considers who is the most likely to tell HMRC the truth when they’re looking for a taxi at night?

The “Tourist Route?” another canard which may have happened years ago, but my hand to God, when someone got in my taxi and asked for Blank Street, I took them the exact same route that I would have wanted the driver to take if I was paying the fare.

Edited by Frank7 on Tuesday 30th June 23:51

Edited by Frank7 on Tuesday 30th June 23:51

[markyb_lcy]

Frank7 said:

S1KRR said:

donkmeister said:

Once you actually found a black cab, and assuming there wasn't a pretty girl flagging down the taxi you'd spotted first, and assuming you weren't heading in the opposite direction to the cabbie's house, you just told him where you wanted to be and hey presto that's where you ended up.

Or wanted to go South of the River!
Or ANYWHERE less desirable.

Or (in the bad old days, Pre mid 80s) you were Black!

There's a reason Uber are winning and the LTDA has to extort pressure on City Hall. Uber are faster, cleaner, more comfortable, more likely to pay correct taxes and you don't end up in an Uber going the "tourist route" to bump the fare up.

Addison Less suffer because everyone knows they are driven by dheads. So why when you aren't driving would you want to get in their car and keep them employed?

I'd go so far as to say that realistically in London all you need is the underground!

Regularly blanking jobs going south of the river went out about the same time as the Bay City Rollers broke up in the mid eighties, likewise less desirable places, like Kilburn, Crouch End, and Cricklewood, although few in their right minds would put the TAXI light on after dropping a job out there.

Full disclosure, I picked up plenty of black people, young and old in The City, where they were suited and booted, and I was pretty confident that I’d get the meter fare, but if they wore a hoody, or a ball cap back to front, forget it, I’m not a racist, I’m a realist.

Uber are more likely to pay correct taxes? Maybe they are, but who considers who is the most likely to tell HMRC the truth when they’re looking for a taxi at night?

The “Tourist Route?” another canard which may have happened years ago, but my hand to God, when someone got in my taxi and asked for Blank Street, I took them the exact same route that Ii would have wanted the driver to take if I was paying the fare.

"Tourist route" died around the same time everyone got GPS and mapping on their phones. Only the most drunk and stupid people get turned over with that one, now. Actually in London, I've never had a cabbie try and screw me. Happened too many times to count in Manchester though and usually ended up with me being dropped out early, somewhere I'd rather not, usually after a drunken, slurred outburst along the lines of "I don't give a fk how drunk I am or seem to you, I know you're screwing me so stop this cab now and I will pay you to here".