Improving Taxi Owners Representation
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EEARLY last year a number of London's taxicab fleet pebprietors with progressive views formed the Taxi Fleet Operators Federation, iticorporating the United Hackney Carriage Proprietors' Association.
The founders had commenced to feel anxious as to the welfare of the, industry in the immediate post-war years. and in the short time that the new body has been in existence its membership (whicle is open to all such proprietors in the Metropolitan Area who operate more than 10 vehicles) has steadily increased, until now
Federation claims to represent mei: taxicabs than any other organizatieu in this area.
From the beginning it has adopted a vigorous policy concerning the numerous and difficult problems eonfrontine the trade, and is a member (together with the other body representing owning interests—the London Motor Cab Proprietors' Association-and the trade unions) of the London Cab Trade Conference, of which the President of the Federation, Mr. ff. A Thomas, managing director of the London General Cab Co., is chairman.
The main objects of the new body are to obtain better vehicles of more modern design, at lower capital cost, and with reduced maintenance costs. It is hoped thus to give the public an improved service without the need for increasing fares. At this point, it may be mentioned that the cab trade is the only part of the passenger-vehicle industry that has not raised its fares during the war.
As regards design, preliminary. representations have already been made, both as to construction and conditions Of fitness. Various amendmeats are 'being pressed for, so that future taxicabs should be recognieed by theircomfort and pleasant appearance' rather than by discomfort an I comical features. Of course, if the London cab ceases to be distinguishab:e only by its antiquarian design, it wil: he necessary to label it in some °the: way.
It has also been felt that the metho of licensing cab drivers is out of date, while the position of cabs vis-aevie private-hira cars is another question eel which the Federation is engaged.
The names oi those members at the Council, additional to the President, whom we have contacted, are Messrs. E. R. Wood, of Wood Motors, Ltd., end John Birch, Of Birch Bros., Ltd.