Summertime and the livin is easy

The concert goers arrive for the buses to Oxygen..


Oxfam put up a sand sculpture, when I went to take a photo he to me he was "deconstructing" it. I said "Marmalaide, I can use big words too"


This is the new statue to Sean Russel which has just been renewed. The stone statue which was there had its head cut off twice! Now look at the mess. The money would have been better used to pay a social worker not bloody statues.


Great to be back, but with the great depression things are bad for us all.
I will count my blessings and not dwell on the dark side.

When I was in Cyprus I took a taxi ride for around 500 yards and the taxi driver demanded e10. The following row involved him screaming and shouting at me telling me that if I didn't like it I could go home! He wouldn't give me his name or show me his licence. I pulled a towel off the meter which wasn't even turned on.

Taking umbrage at his attitude and in an effort to get fair play for other people I decided to complain to the people who control these matters.
The hotel manageress rang the powers that be.
I wrote a letter and faxed it to the carriage office. Then I had to go to the police station which took 1/2 the day in 35c heat.

Well you cynics are right that was just another waste of time.
Not even a call to tell me they were HOT ON THE CASE.

So in Cyprus you stand at the taxi,"How much to Limassol please?
Say he says e15, you say e7 and as you walk off he might settle for 8...But on the meter it might be 5. This is what we will be heading for here, drivers ripping off passengers all the time and the powers that be doing nothing about it.

Ah the youth heading off to Oxygen A great weekend will be had by thousands and they will return covered in mud and have to ring mummy to come and collect them because the bold taxi man won't let them into his clean car.I wouldn't mind going to see a few of those acts myself.

While I was away there was the international street performers competition, there is some great stuff at that, saw it one year when the kids were smaller.

Gangland shootings are going on and on. The govt are going to bring in new jury less courts to deal with intimidation of jurors and witnesses.
Anyhow all the prisons are full, If you had a few bob to invest you could start building private prisons and make a fortune. I met a guy from Texas once who worked in a private prison and it was no holiday camp for sure.

Bernard Madoff the fraudster from New York was sent down for 150 years jail. Perhaps he might remember where he stashed some of the billions which are still missing.
Next in line would be the accountants, why was there no checks and balances in the movement of the cash?

If I think I had any problems it would shrink when compared to loosing your life's savings, such an arrogant man too.

I was reading a bit of the biography of Stephen King author of Carrie etc. Threw that script in the bin. His wife took it out and read it,he made changes and got $400,000 for the paperback rights, then the film...Got to keep trying.

Guess what? my first ride today was a Lotto winner, he was an usher in the Dial and a group of them scooped the jackpot a while ago..I feel that the luck might rub off on me...The second fare is heading off to Vagas in a few weeks.. My hope is to go there soon.
I love magic and would like to see Geoff Hobbs again.


One thing about staying in a posh hotel is you have room service to clean your room.

Home Sweet Home

Here is a photo of the piece of road in question that I was going on about in Cyprus
Perhaps it doesn't look so bad from this side, but on the other side the arrows and the continuous line have still not been blacked out.

They have a good few of these vintage Bedford and Dodge buses going round, really great looking.


Back home to the cool weather I am used to.

If you would like me to define what loosing the cool means, its crashing a jeep into the entrance of the police station thus blocking the door.
Then taking a flame thrower to the place.

Really lazy attitude the police have, a real waste of space.

Cyprus is 2 hours ahead of us and 6 hours flying time away, so I have been waiting and flying for ages.

Great to be back .

Going for a few ZZZZZZZZZ

TDFC Newsletter

At a time when all taxi drivers are in a deep state of economic chrisis we must keep the information coming.


Taxi Drivers For Change



"Change for the better"



Newsletter No 2





Welcome to the second edition of our newsletter, the marathon continues. A lot of work has taken place since TDFC's last newsletter but unfortunately not a lot has changed for us all. Families are still suffering and taxi drivers still can't make a living. The following information is of the utmost importance to you, your industry and your families future and well being. You will need to make an important decision at the end of this newsletter so please read carefully. Many thanks from the committee to all supporters who are helping to distribute the 15,000 copies of this newsletter nationally.



"Meeting with Bertie Ahearne"



In an effort to speak to everyone that could possibly help us a delegation fom TDFC met with Mr Bertie Ahearne TD at St Lukes in Druncondra. The meeting went well and Mr Ahearne was sympathetic to our cause. Bertie mentioned that he didn't realise things had got so bad in the industry and undertook to speak to the powers that be on our behalf. He suggested that the best way forward was to involve a mediator to speak to us and the representative bodies as well as the TR and the Minister for Transport and he was sure that this would demonstrate that TDFC should be at the table to address the industries problems. Mr Pat Byrne was suggested and agreed as the mediator.



"Meeting with Pat Byrne"



A delegation from TDFC met with taxi advisory council chairman, Mr Pat Byrne, to discuss the problems full time drivers are experiencing. This was more a "get to know you" meeting and from this point of view the meeting went well. TDFC went through the problems with Mr Byrne and highlighted the urgency required in addressing them. Mr Byrne said he would need to talk to all concerned and would get back to us asap.



"Politics"



TDFC are pleased with the performance of the taxi vote in the recent elections. It would seem that a number of parties and politicians who benefitted from our votes were correct in bringing forward positive policies for the taxi industry, you were all obviously impressed as those parties and politicians that have good policies toward the industry did very well. TDFC would like to congratulate all who did well around the country and commiserate with those who lost out. TDFC will be keeping you informed when voting is required again. The next time will be for Lisbon 2.



"Road show protests"



Delegations from TDFC attended 2 further successful road show protests in Galway and Portlaoise to offer our support to our colleagues from around the country and to continue to voice our unhappiness with the regulators office. On the way to the Portlaoise protest we were contacted by Mr Pat Byrne who asked us to clarify our position of non engagement to the regulation commissioner which we duly did. After a drive through protest in Portlaoise TDFC were returning to base when we got a phone call from Pat Byrne to say that he had arranged a meeting with the senior officials of the Dept of Transport, great news we thought, progress at last!



"RSA safety at work conference"



Delegates from TDFC attended the road safety authorities safety at work conference at Dublin Castle recently. Surprisingly there were no taxi industry reps in attendance although the taxi regulation commission were represented by the commissioner herself. The conference was very interesting and we will have details on our web site shortly. The most interesting aspect was a presentation given by world expert on fatigue Prof Jim Horne. Fatigue or sleepiness behind the wheel is considered as dangerous as if not more than driving under the influence. At the end of this presentation TDFC asked whether the RSA were not concerned about the long hours being worked by drivers and also the problem of double jobbers working their taxi's after completing a weeks work elsewhere. The RSA responded that they are unhappy and concerned about this and would be working closely with the industry to address this issue. On a related note one haulage co. owner expressed his unhappiness that some of his drivers were coming to work tired on a Monday because they had spent the weekend working their taxi's. He said there was nothing he could do about the danger this presented as the sate had issued them with taxi licences!



"An Garda Siochanna"



Delegates from TDFC have had a subsequent meeting with the Gardai at Pearse St and the relevant Council officials to do a walk about of south city ranks to address the urgent issues. The most important issue is rank spaces and this is being considered closely. All details will be on our web site shortly as we are confined by the space available here. It was a very successful exercise and all of the relevant issues are being looked at closely. The same exercise is now being conducted on the north city ranks and a walkabout is scheduled shortly. The Gardai are very happy to work with us and we would urge all of our supporters around the country to engage with their local Gardai in the same way.



"Meeting with the Dept of Transport 18/6/09"



TDFC met with senior officials of the D.O.T. on thursday 18/6/09 at the dept's offices in south Frederick st. The meeting was informative to both parties and was conducted in a calm and reasoned manner.

The agenda consisted of the following points:

1, Illegal operators working in unlicensed areas. 2. Cloning of licenses. 3. Sub letting of rental licenses to unlicensed individuals. 4. Fully employed individuals working in the industry having completed a full weeks work elsewhere. 5. Hours required to work by full time drivers. 6. Unfair competition through assisted entry to the industry and tax liabilities.. 7. Inability to exit industry.

TDFC proposals were as follows:

1. Proposed temporary moratorium with set date of review. 2. An urgent review and restructure of the industry ( re change for the better).

3. An appeals process. 4. A meeting with Minister Dempsey to discuss our problems.

After an introduction by TDFC the business of the day was discussed.

The following are the responses from the Dept:

Quality and not quantity is very important and safety is of the utmost importance. The new skills programme which has been put in place should help improve the quality of service. The criteria in place for a person to enter the private coach, haulage and bus industries requires a certificate of professional competence, a strict Garda check, financial backing, a practical test and a 35hr course, this could work in the taxi industry.

The Dept would like to see more enforcement and were very pleased to hear of TDFC's engagement with the Gardai. The Dept will support any work with the Gardai and will also speak to revenue ,customs, social welfare, etc.

Taco graphs were mentioned but TDFC pointed out that they were unworkable at the moment and drivers would not embrace them due to poor working conditions.

The Dept would urge TDFC to consult with the chairman of the taxi advisory council as being the way forward, on tax clearance the Dept will consult with the revenue and social welfare services. The Minister has no law to introduce a cap.

Over all the meeting was a positive one, the Dept will work on standards and stricter enforcement and will await the taxi regulators report to see where we go from there. The Dept again stressed the importance of engaging with the chairman of the advisory council and agreed that a world class taxi service was achievable.

In a follow up letter the Dept states that the taxi regulator is considering our submission as part of the public consultation process on formulating the next steps needed for the industry including the improvement of vehicle and driver standards. They further urge us to engage with the regulator and the advisory council. The Dept also point out that as part of the overall programme for Government, the Government will shortly be making a statement on Economic Regulation which will apply to all regulatory bodies and will deal with appeals mechanisms.



"Summary"



It is clear to TDFC that we have only 2 choices as to which direction we need to take. Which ever one you decide you will be expected to support. On one hand we can engage with the taxi regulation commissioner, for which we don't have a mandate from you, which may lead to a meeting with Minister Dempsey and further progress. Or, secondly, we can return to action and take our cause to the streets. In all of the meetings so far we haven't got anything to show for you and our situation grows worse by the day.

If we are to engage with the taxi regulator a positive gesture of trust is needed, which could be a guarantee that items from our submission will be enacted on or even something as simple as suspending the renewal increase while we talk about it. Our gesture of trust has been to engage with the Dept of Transport and Pat Byrne in a calm and reasonable manner and to suspend our protests. There should be equal respect from both sides.



What we need from all our supporters now is a decision. Below are 2 questions for which we require just one answer. Text your answer to the number shown (text will cost 60c and all monies will be used for the campaign and detailed in the accounts which are available to all through Collie our treasurer). Your participation is of the utmost importance to the future of the industry so please respond.





Question A



Do you wish TDFC to continue dialogue and engage with the taxi regulation commission / advisory council?

If your answer is yes then text taxi A and your plate number to 53307



Or Question B



Do you wish to escalate direct action to include Cities, towns, airports, ferry ports, motorways, etc, nationally, until a positive gesture from commission is offered and accepted?

If your answer is yes text taxi B and your plate number to 53307



(0.60cent per text incld vat. Standard network charges apply. Lines close Sun 12/7/09 @ 18.00. S.P. phonovation, p.o. box 6 Dun Laoghaire Co Dublin 0818217100)





Fight for your job text us now



Thanks to all supporters for their continued support

TDFC



www.taxidriversforchange.org

Not too different here.

I had to go to the police station on Monday, high up in the mountains here in Crete.
When I was there a Scottish guy came in and tried to report a dangerous situation as he saw it.
Roadworks had been going on and traffic had been diverted to the right hand side of the road.(They drive on the left here)
That section was now completed the left hand lane was now back in use. But the line still showed the traffic coming to Pafos that they should head into the right lane with a continuous white line. He had seen a girl knocked off her motorbike and he didn't want to see anyone badly hurt.
It was a bit like some kind of comedy as he drew diagrams, the policeman adding a few waves onto the place where the sea was.
A second policeman stopped by.
"No that is not a police matter, it is the responsibility of the Municipal road authority"

He almost lost it. "Look if someone gets killed will it be a police matter then?

Give me an awns er?

You are just a heap of useless shit"

Off he went.

The second policeman came back in and told the first officer to bring him back in.

There it ended, by the time the first policeman got out the Scottish guy was gone.

I passed the spot today, nothing has been done to change anything.

There are hundreds of cones lying around, all it would take is to move 10 of them across to define the correct line of the road.

Is there not a crime called "Reckless endangerment?"
Knowingly placing persons in danger and doing nothing to protect them.

Perhaps the Scotsman and myself are "Pissing against the wind"

We are kidding ourselves.

The people in charge don't seem to care and when I published that piece about the junction on Alfie Byrne Rd no one commented.

The road safety council did not comment and the Dublin Corporation tells me that a green light means proceed with caution, even though the road on your left also thinks they have right of way.

Still if someone dies, will they sing a different song?

You leave the shop and then

Well here I am in 30 degrees of heat, you go away for a few days and everything starts to happen.Charlies Angel and Michel Jackson die. What next?.

It reminds me of the night Barrry White died.
I had this Australian girl in the car and I had the news on low, when I picked up the news of his death I turned up the radio.
"Whats that ? Barry White dead? I can't believe it, Oh My God. This is terrable news"
This went on for 10 minutes or more and I just had to cut in.
"Have you got your passport? or do you have to go home for it first?

It took a few "What do you mean? and I don't understand".

So I had to explain that she must surley be flying out for the funeral seeing as they were close.
Drink and drugs cloud the way we feel and act, nether she or I had ever met or known Barry White, to tell the truth I never even bought his greatest hits.

Funny to think about that night, she was telling me(before the news) they were buying an apartment where I was dropping her off. I said no way at all as there was a very rough element living in the area. That morning about an hour after she went in a man was stabbed to death in the lobby of the apartment complex.

Business here is not so good either I went into an Irish bar last night seating for 250/300 there was 8 people inside and a few women and kids outside.

There are very few guests staying in the hotel as well..I guess they are hoping that things will pick up in the future.
A frend of mine who is in the travel business told me in January that they had reduced capacity by %40. They felt that with the recession that no one would be going away and they didn't want to be stuck with holidays that no one wanted.
I had never thought that the Budget Travels and Sunways of this world don't own the hotels, they just buy rooms as the feel they might need them.

So until we meet again I must keep up the jet skiing canoeing and paragliding.
Your job will be to keep an eye on the lads in the Dail till they go on holidays.
Keep the other eye on Kathleen Doyle the Taxi deregulator.

No photos this issue. I hope no one gets killed on that East Wall junction before it is made right.

A little question for the Corpo.

Just something to keep you thinking.
You are driving down East Wall rd. Heading for Alfie Byrne Rd.
You have a green arrow saying its OK to go right.
Now this road is marked as being a main road which goes around the corner.
Now look at the second photo. A green light.
And Green means go?





Now this is the view coming the other way,remember the other side has a full green light and you are coming either head on or on to his left flank.


Well this is what Nial Bolger of Dublin Corpo,thinks I should know.

John,

I bring your attention to page 82 of the rules of the road March 2007 addition re. traffic lights and signals.

It states that a green light is not a right of way, it is a licence to proceed with caution

Regards

Niall

Well I should also give you his first reply.

John,

When turning from East Wall Road onto Alfie Byrne Road we provide a full green light and a dedicated right turn arrow in seperate phases.

When the full green light operates you should proceed with caution as stated in the rules of the road as traffic approaching from Annsley Bridge has right of way. No flashing amber light is required.

Reagrds


Niall Bolger

Assistant Intelligent Transport Systems Officer

Roads & Traffic Department

Well I did also report it to the road safety council who sent it to the Corpo again, that is a week ago now.

So If someone is killed there we can quote the rules of the road,,rather than put a flashing amber arrow instead of a full green light.

Its awful to think that someone will quote you the rules of the road to you rather than prevent a possible death by making a simple change.
My fear is a colision between a motorcycle or cyclist and a van or car.

Bit late for change then? eh.

All dancing

Perhaps when you started off you rented a cab and became part of a big Taxi family, then one day you went to the depot to check out your car.....

Perhaps there is more to life than driving a taxi,lets try music.


Then put a few steps together.

Now you are getting into the swing of it.


Well if you have an extra skill you might have fun too.

Here is a couple who are all over U tube, but I am told that Andre is too stiff in his movements, I don't know.


Well you know when the orchestra is blindfolded that things take a rye twist.
What was the name of that movie??
But if you kept up the taxi driving you could become a taxi dancer.

Here is another clip of the taxi dancer. I had a link to his website up for ages.
I see he has not updated for a long time.
Tell him I sent ya for lessons!!


Did you read about the female Garda who made a melicous claim that a taxi driver attacked her?
Thanks to a persistent Garda she was found out and now could face 5 years in jail.
Oh its a wicked world all right.

Will you miss me when I am gone away?

See you in a few weeks.

Did you see the new Bicycle stands being put all over the city?
So there will be free bicycles, people whizzing around, not much work for taxis then.



Whats wrong with the bike ?

Photos

Just had to give you the photos of Boomsday celebrations.
I went to the James Joyce centre in North Great Georges St.
People all dressed up in period costumes.
They have a website www.jamesjoyce.ie

Perhaps next year?

What do you think of the Argentine sailing ship?
Did you know that an Irishman founded their navy?
Not a lot of people know that.