Ken Livingstone our mayor is proposing to bring the following scheme in on the Knowledge. So I wanted to see your views especially those more ken loving amongst us
They want to get more people on the knowledge so are going to pay for
Bikes, insurance, tax, petrol, clothing, helmet, all knowledge related fees like
£50 map test
£125 appearance fees
£120 (approx) medical fees
£30 month school fees
£500 approx other per year
PLUS English reading writing and oral lesson PAID FOR.
Great we thought we'll apply ONLY to be told that as a white male we were excluded from applying. This is for Black, asians and women only.
I think it is scandalous - I work full time yet still do the road work, study, pay for everything myself AS I KNEW I HAD TO, AND yet this happens and it can't be right.
The London cabbie is renowned as the best in the WORLD yet they are trying to kill the trade. This is not common knowledge it has been all kept hush hush. If a WHITE MAN only scheme was put out there would be uproar so how can this beright.
I am all for asians, blacks woman doing the knowledge it doesn't bother me in the slightest but they have to do on a even keel with everyone else.
Remember it will be you the LONDON council tax payer who will pay for it.
Sign the petition BELOW if you feel it is not right. If we bought something out and said it is for white men only there'd be UPROAR from Ken and his like.
http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/theknowledge/#detail
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Comments
once you pass, you could always get your fee money back by charging double for any asian, black or female passengers. when you are accused of racism/sexism use the policy as part of your defence, (before you are sent to the tower).
Await Right Wing racist Nazi Sun/Daily Mail reading retort.
No, not really, not if this is a large scale proposal - then it would be discriminatory and completely wrong and I'll sign the petition.
If however it is just about a couple of hundred places, without knowing more, it may be acceptable. No doubt some will say if large-scale is wrong, then so is small-scale, but I wouldn't necessarily agree if it's purpose is to demonstrate that the job is open to all with the wherewithall and dedication required.
And with the obvious need for more cabbies during the night, then attracting more competent people to the work would be good.
Totally agree - I've just signed!
Salad - the KNOWLEDGE is open to anyone ANYWAY. It always has been.
I don't want it included it will be included. If the person(s) applying cannot speak or read and write english they will be given lessons as well.
A recent report says 98% of cabbies are over 30. Yet there's black/Asian guys driving minicabs all over the shop at all hours. Clearly it's a clumsy attempt to woo them over...
not forgetting there's quite a few driving unlicensed minicabs as well.
Oh I know what you mean but this scheme will not put more cabbies out at night will it.
absolute disgrace
1. Is it right that "the knowledge" is exclusively for drivers of the traditional black cab?
2. If the answer to (1) is "yes" then are all the "non black cab" taxis one sees about, many of which are driven by people from ethnic minorities, unlicenced and uncontrolled?
3. If the answer to (2) is yes then do the authorities pursue these "rogue" drivers?
I shall decide whether or not to sign the petition depending on the answers to my questions.
Of course, there is still driver out there who are completely unlicensed.
As for the authorities pursuing the unlicensed cabs, I get one most Friday nights home from Camden, they stand outside the tub station quite blatantly haggling prices, never seen a copper interfere at all.
1. yes and takes about 3 to 4 years to complete
2. if you see the yellow disc in their window they are registered to PCO which costs £1500 per year but most of these are registered with companies like Addison Lee and the like and your local station mini cab -- most though are unlicenced and uncontrolled.
3. yes they do but it's a thankless task.
What Arthur posted in the opening post is so outrageous, i refuse to accept that it is true or has been exaggerated as the scandal story has been passed on. If it is completely true, then i'm appalled.
But there is a serious issue with black cabbing. Its true that not enough youngsters are doing it, its true the percentage of minorities is noticebly low, and its also true that the hours worked by cabbies are too greatly skewed to day hours.
But you have to ask why don't more cabbies work evenings ? Reason being its too much bloody hassle. My grandad was stabbed for example which is an extreme example, but dealing with people spewing, fighting, doing runners, trying to attack you, blacking out and being too drunk to remember where their house is, kicking the doors, breaking things are not extreme examples, but regular occurances.
Society dictates what society gets, and most cab drivers are either too afraid to work nights, or can't be hassled with the stress. The Chubberly-Warners' after a splendid night out at the Theatre only make up a very small percentage of people wanting taxis late at night. Most are drunken idiots.
I think there is a belief judging by other areas, that ethnic workers are more likely to want to work nights, particularly if the money is better. If they can attract more ethnics onto the licenced ranks, it will probably make things easier by driving out the unlincenced numbers that are a blight on the safety of the individual, but sadly a current necessity.
LDA - 0207 593 9000 or 020 7983 4100 Public Liason Office.
Call up and ask to join the scheme and they will ask if you are white or words to that effect.
My knowledge partner has done it
If you are going to make it easier to get a licence to increase the number of cabs on the road then then make it easier for everyone.
"unless you are from an ethnic minority or a homosexual then you don't have a chance"
Really riles me - what don't people get jobs based on their skills and ability to do the job?
If I got a job purely because I was black/gay/asian rather than because I was the best candidate, that would be pretty damned insulting.
Ask a white South African