Head of Addison Lee tells its drivers to use bus lanes/cycle lanes (if they kill cyclists, oh well)

[Brixton Hatter]

The Chairman, John Griffin, wrote

Our legal advice is that bus lane regulations are currently being misinterpreted to exclude [private hire vehicles] from bus lanes. Such misinterpretation is unlawful.​

Cheeky fuckers. Addison Lee drivers are among the worst cunts on the road for giving cyclists hassle. Time for TFL to actually do something good for a change and put a stop to this nonsense.

Personally, if I find any Addison Lee cabs in the bus lane when I'm cycling to work, I will cycle in the middle of the lane, very slowly, until I come to a stop and block their way through. I urge all other cyclists to do the same.

More here:
http://www.croydoncyclist.co.uk/addison-lee-vehicles-can-not-use-bus-lanes/

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-17722416

 

[temper_tantrum]

Big Boris donor, I think.

 

[editor]

Because someone being driven around in a cab is just that so much more important than a whole busload of passengers.

 

[Brixton Hatter]

they think it's unfair that people in bus lanes travel faster them, aaaaaaaaaaawwwwwwwwwwwww ((((addison lee))))

 

[quimcunx]

I thought their problem was that black cabs could do it but they couldn't? Presumably, then they are only driving in lanes where black cabs are allowed like the A23 through Kennington.

 

[Brixton Hatter]

Big Boris donor, I think.

really? Interesting....

 

[temper_tantrum]

Can't remember where I saw that now ... will try and find source.

Edit: @Helzbels on Twitter:
AddisonLee donations to Tories: 10/12/08 £50,000. 21/4/09 £50,000. 9/4/10 £50,000. 19/9/11 £100,000

 

[Brixton Hatter]

I thought their problem was that black cabs could do it but they couldn't?

Yes - the law as drafted is currently unclear and they're trying to exploit it to make a point. There's more info in the OP in that link to Croydon Cyclists.

It would be great if the drivers DID drive in the bus lanes and racked up shit loads of tickets

 

[Teaboy]

His main point seems to be that black cabs are allowed to use them but minicabs not, he can't realistically believe that given the volume of minicabs around he will get his way. Is he trying to start a debate on whether black cabs should be banned from bus lanes?

Either way the man his a loud mouth twat straight out of the Michael O'Leary guide to management and PR, always trying to throw his weight around either by this sort of shit or major donations to the tories.

 

[joustmaster]

I thought their problem was that black cabs could do it but they couldn't? Presumably, then they are only driving in lanes where black cabs are allowed like the A23 through Kennington.

aren't black cabs allowed in all bus lanes?

 

[Yelkcub]

Yes - the law as drafted is currently unclear and they're trying to exploit it to make a point. There's more info in the OP in that link to Croydon Cyclists.

It would be great if the drivers DID drive in the bus lanes and racked up shit loads of tickets

Tickets would be down to the drivers though, so they aren't going to take the risk

 

[EastEnder]

I thought their problem was that black cabs could do it but they couldn't?

Pretty much. Thing is, anyone can use a black cab, whereas AL are strictly on-account only. And on which basis, I'd argue they've even less right to use bus lanes than regular, non-exclusive minicabs.

 

[quimcunx]

aren't black cabs allowed in all bus lanes?

Maybe. I might have been thinking about the motorbike scheme on that bus lane.

 

[Brixton Hatter]

Yeah I think black cabs are allowed to use all bus lanes apart from a very small number of bus-only lanes, such as (I think) the contraflow bus/cycle lane along the top of Clapham Common.

 

[TitanSound]

Thing is, anyone can use a black cab, whereas AL are strictly on-account only.

No they're not. You've been able to do non account bookings for years.

 

[Brixton Hatter]

let's ban black cabs from the bus lanes anyway. Just to see how mental the drivers go.....

 

[Ms Ordinary]

Addison Lee rip off their drivers as well, according to this investigation
Or is that old news?

 

[joustmaster]

Maybe. I might have been thinking about the motorbike scheme on that bus lane.

hang on, can't motorbikes use all bus lanes too?

 

[peterkro]

let's ban black cabs from the bus lanes anyway. Just to see how mental the drivers go.....

I don't see why black cabs can use bus lanes in the first place,bastards.

 

[Brixton Hatter]

Addison Lee rip off their drivers as well, according to this investigation
Or is that old news?

cheers for that link, hadn't seen it before

AL seem like a horrible bunch of fcukers.

 

[Hellsbells]

any taxi driving in a bus lane is annoying for me as a cyclist. They stop and start and pull over really suddenly, often with no warning, no indication, nothing

 

[pesh]

i think he's under the impression that as his firm now charges more than a black cab costs in a lot of cases he's entitled to the black cab perks.

 

[quimcunx]

hang on, can't motorbikes use all bus lanes too?

I don't know. They never used to be able to. The A23 bus lane through kennington used to have signs on it saying it was a trial. At the end of the trial the trial was extended.

E2A: Here you go.

http://www.tfl.gov.uk/assets/downloads/motorcycles-in-bus-lanes.pdf

 

[FridgeMagnet]

He's been banging on about black cabs using bus lanes when (other) private cabs can't for years, and not got anywhere with it. Apparently he's now trying to force it to court.

I don't have any particular sympathy for the company but tbh I don't have much sympathy for black cabs being able to use bus lanes either.

 

[Pickman's model]

the people who should be banned from bus lanes are, imo, cyclists. however, given that cyclists are already banned from pavements and nonetheless frequently cycle there this might best be resolved by providing a proper network of cycle lanes. of course, to make sure cyclists use them some sort of mandatory training ought to be provided to cyclists. this might also have the effect of reducing cyclist fatalities.

 

[fredfelt]

the people who should be banned from bus lanes are, imo, cyclists. however, given that cyclists are already banned from pavements and nonetheless frequently cycle there this might best be resolved by providing a proper network of cycle lanes. of course, to make sure cyclists use them some sort of mandatory training ought to be provided to cyclists. this might also have the effect of reducing cyclist fatalities.

You forgot to mention red traffic lights and road tax. With those points your comment would have definatley helped with the quality of debate in this thread.

 

[Pickman's model]

You forgot to mention red traffic lights and road tax. With those points your comment would have definatley helped with the quality of debate in this thread.

bus lanes, as the name indicates, are primarily there for buses. i've lost count of the number of times i've seen buses held up by cyclists going maybe 5mph in bus lanes. i'm not as fussed about traffic lights as i might be, it's bus lanes and pavements which impact on me. but the notion of road tax, you might be on to something there.

 

[Brixton Hatter]

He's been banging on about black cabs using bus lanes when (other) private cabs can't for years, and not got anywhere with it. Apparently he's now trying to force it to court.

I don't have any particular sympathy for the company but tbh I don't have much sympathy for black cabs being able to use bus lanes either.

Me neither....how did they get the 'right' to use bus lanes in the first place?

IIRC bus lanes started coming in to major use in the 1990's - well, late 1990's I'd say. Before that buses used to crawl along with the rest of the traffic.

 

[editor]

of course, to make sure cyclists use them some sort of mandatory training ought to be provided to cyclists. this might also have the effect of reducing cyclist fatalities.

Cyclist fatalties have almost always got fuck all to do with riding on pavements.

 

[Pickman's model]

Cyclist fatalties have almost always got fuck all to do with riding on pavements.

i never said it did though.