Motorcab Topics
Page 14
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The accompanying table is " vouched " to us by a driver-owner as an accurate record of extras taken for certain months of th years indicated; the driver in question got delivery of his own car in April, 1909. In January and February of 1910, he spent a considerable time on work other than driving, for which reason he quotes only complete months of street work and regular employment. He assures us that every extra has been " punched up," but we scarcely think that ttie results show normal averages of extras paid to drivers, upon which point further information is desirable.
Sonic dissatisfaction has been expressed, by taxicab users in Edinburgh. with the fact that, in that city. as elsewhere, the distance, which a cab that has been ordered may have to travel to pick up a " fare," has hitherto been all recorded against the hirer. At a meeting of the Edinburgh magistrates recently, it was decided that the charge for hire shall not, in future, commence until the vehicle has travelled half a. mile from the garage or rank.
Weston Cabbies' Melancholia.
We have, on several occasions recently, made reference to the intentions of the Bristol Tramways and Carriage Co., Ltd., to run taxicabs in Weston-super-Mare. It may be remembered that this contemplated enterprise has greatly perturbed the local horse-cabby. A dozen taxicabs have now arrived at Weston, although the local authorities will not grant licences to ply for hire for at least another several months. To inaugur
ate the new service, a procession of motorcabs was organized through the town, and a somewhat-amusing commentary upon the development of motor facilities, was the fact that a number of horse-cabmen insisted upon joining in the procession ; they paraded with their whips ornamented with crape.
Wanted More than his Legal Fare.
Another ease, in Idlich a driver attempted to extort more than his legal fare from a lady passenger, was firmly handled, at Westminster, by Mr. Horace Smith. For the journey, for which the cab was hired, the meter registered Is., and this amount was handed to the driver by the plaintiff. This payment, however, was net acceptable. The driver said that he had not been given enough, that he had to buy his own oil, and that he had to get his living by tips. Although the meter only showed Is., he ought to be paid more. It appears that the driver created a very-great disturbance in front of the hotel at which the journey ended, and that he had endeavoured to enforce a claim for more than his legal fare. He demanded a tip in a discourteous and ironical tone. Defendant was fined 40s. and 2s. costs.
The New Regulations.
A number of new regulations, which principally deal with the proper control of motorcalss when standing on ranks in the Metropolis, has now been issued by Sir Edward Henry, the Commissioner of Police. This new schedule is dated the 17th May, and we reproduce it in ertenso below.
(1.) The drivers of the first, two motorcabs must be with their cabs and ready to be hired at once by any person. (2.) All cabs on the standing must move up as vacancies occur.
(3.) No motorcab engaged for some iuture time shall remain on the standing unless willing to accept any intermediate hiring that may be offered.
(4.) No disabled motorcab shall remain on the standing unless such disablement is strictly temporary, and can be, and is, remedied at once. If the disablement is not, of such a nature, a notice (in a form to be approved by the Commissioner) must be at once placed on the cab to the effect that it cannot be used, and will be removed for repair. The following Regulations apply to standings provided with " shelters (5-) A proportion of drivers, not exceeding one-fourth of those actually on
the standing, or, if the standing is full, cf the total authorized number, may, subject to the reservations hereinafter mentioned, be allowed a time for meals sot exceeding 30 tninutee for each driver.
(6.) Every driver who wishes to avail himself of the " meal time " must obtain from the constable on duty at the standing, and place upon his cab, a stamped official notice or card showing his cab is not for hire. The period allowed for meals will take effect from the time when the driver receives the official notice or card.
17.) The drivers must then place their cabs on that portion of the standing set aside for the purpose, the cabs taking position in proper consecutive order. (8.) As a rule, the number of cabs on the " ordinary " portion of the standing should not fall below the number on the " reserved " portion, and a sufficient number of cabs from the " reserve " portion may be required to move up to the " ordinary " portion, though the full period of 30 minutes allowed to the drivers has not expired.
In no case, however, may the number available to the public on the " ordinary " portion be less than one-fourth of the total number actually on the combined portions of the standings, or in any event less than two cabs as provided in Regulation No. 1. The vacancies on the "ordinary " portion are to be filled by the leading cabs on the "reserved " portion unless the driver finds a substitute to move up for him.
(9.) A driver desiring to place his cab on a standing is entitled to a vacant place on the " ordinary " portion of it, and to precedence for hire over the drivers of the cabs on the " reserved " portion.
(10.) Each driver who obtains the stamped official notice or card from the constable must himself return it to the constable, and may on no account transfer or lend it to another person.
(11.) For the purpose of the Regulations a " shelter" is deemed to be a re cognized temporary building or other structure at or near a standing to which cab drivers only have the right of access and at which food is provided for the drivers who resort thereto.