Taxis & Bus Lanes

[sandmaster]

Why are taxis allowed to use bus lanes? I commute by bus - no car journey. If I used my car there would be two car journeys - home to work and back. If I ordered a taxi there would be:
from base to my house; my house to work; my workplace to base; and this would be repeated after work. Six car journeys.
Also I have the general impression taxi drivers are inconsiderate - they speed, push in and think they own the road.

[Ethel]

Taxis don't necessarily return to base, in fact during peak periods they shouldn't.

They don't clog up a car parking space for the duration of the working day either.

One taxi can easily carry 40+ people in a day. 39 less cars on the road

[R1Geezer]

Taxis may think they own the roads but they don't the roads are owned by BMW drivers, I have the deeds in my glovebox, yes I know I do on occasion use the slow moving steel box!

[sandmaster]

Buses can carry 52 passengers per journey. I think taxis should be banned during commuting periods

[Ethel]

Do you? So if your train is at 9am you'd call a taxi to get you to the station for 6.30?

Not everyone lives on a bus route or has a car.

[sandmaster]

I am luck being on a bus route - but one bus per hour and the last one at 8.50pm. Lots of hanging around but we can't all afford taxis.

[sandmaster]

My original question has not been answered - why should they use bus lanes? Why not use the other lanes - I understand private hire buses and private hire taxis cannot use bus lanes.

[Ethel]

Black cabs pay a lot of money to councils for their licences, more than private hire.

Private hire charge by the mile, usually, whilst the black cab fares costs can depend on journey time, so if it is stuck in traffic it costs the passenger a lot more.

"Hackney Carriage vehicles are permitted to use the bus lanes in order to speed up transportation links, this type of taxi is easily identifiable by the bubble displayed on the roof of the car. One of the functions of a hackney carriage is for it to be flagged down from the street. To do this may require it to enter a bus lane. Private Hire vehicles do not display the bubble on the roof so therefore are not easily identifiable. This type of taxi is pre-booked and cannot respond to passengers flagging it down in the street. Consequently Private Hire vehicles are not permitted use of the bus lanes. The distinction is made to cater for the different type of taxi and to enable Police enforcement of the bus lane restrictions to easily take place."

[buildersmate]

I'm alright Jack - I'm on a bus route.

[Doc.Spock.1]

Bus lanes should be banned , why should private bus companies have dedicated lanes paid for by the taxpayer, and other motorists.


Disgraceful, they should be abolished.

Or the private companies could build their own roads.

[NORMANTHEDOG]

private hire buses are allowed to use bus lanes in london,and there is talk going on to allow private hire cabs to use them as well as black cabs in the future
the whole idea of it is to try and get people to leave their cars at home.

[Doc.Spock.1]

Why is it more important for a bus or taxi occupant to get to work quicker than a motorist.

Another example of the motorist laying down and accepting the sh1t.

[buildersmate]

Because it will help persuade those in their cars to get out of them and into the bus. Surprised you needed to enquire.

[Doc.Spock.1]

I live in the middle of a three mile lane, no buses go down it.

Anyway if you are a buildersmate how on earth do your get all your gear on a bus ?

[NORMANTHEDOG]

i knew some dick would ask.

[Doc.Spock.1]

Ask what norm ??

[NORMANTHEDOG]

what you asked.

[imajenarry]

hgv's can use various bus lanes across the country.

[JonnyBoy12]

I am a bus driver, and we do own the the f***ing road. Have you seen the way we drive? Well, that proves it then!