Taxi Owners & Drivers Association

The January meeting of the Licensing and Appeals Committee will include a report proposing details in respect of the annual hackney carriage fare review. The report will detail proposals based on the halcrow formula, and also include the request from Network rail to increase the recharge to  60p for a barrier charge at Piccadilly Station .

If there are any other special  circumstances that you think need to be included within the report, but are outside of scope of the halcrow formula please contact the Licensing Department.

Sadly we have to record the deaths of two TODA members and long time taxi drivers.  The first unexpectedly was David Tatlock who went into what seemed a stroke induced coma two weeks ago and died without regaining consciousness.  David was born on 21st February 1939 in Manchester and went to school we think in the Hulme or Moss Side area when those areas were respectable working class districts.  After school he was apprenticed at an engineering factory   later switching to Heidelberg’s print machine manufactures.   After Marriage he had three sons Colin, Paul and Kevin, and when Kevin was about two years old the family immigrated to Australia (which later earned him the nickname Skippy after the Kangaroo) He became a private hire driver and eventually a black cab driver.  First driving, and then in partnership with several partners, the last one Peter Jones.  They were well known for repairing their 2.5 Rover engined Fairway on the TOA forecourt with legs sticking out into the weather. The crankshaft kept coming loose and had to be adjusted with a huge spanner.  Eventually the Fairway defeated them and David went back to driving.  He did have two excursions into the wider world once undertaking a legal night school course with a view to being a solicitor but he was defeated by the complexities of Torts which he tried to explain to me leaving me no wiser.  He also spent some time as an agent for Snap-On Tools, but the expensive tools which had to be bought “on the drip” did not match mechanics low wages and he eventually returned to cab driving.  He did have some luck eventually when he was awarded a “free plate” which he prudently turned into cash before resuming driving.He always had a need for interests outside work and joined the Masonic society where he achieved some rank and distinction, becoming a notable Master of Ceremonies.  He will be sadly missed by his friends in the FX4 Club where he was always a source of interesting conversation and advice.May he rest in peace.  

 The second loss is Donald Pickup who died about three weeks ago in his mid eighties, the immediate cause of death unknown, for he was being treated for several serious conditions.  He is survived by two daughters and a son.  He father was a professional pianist and Don inherited a great musical talent and was an effortless excellent pianist who never seemed to need or read sheet music. He used to play background music in the bar of the Victoria and Albert Hotel on Water St complete with his trade mark flat cap. When he did his National Service in Egypt he was excused all duties so that he could play late in the Officers Mess. In later life he became a bus driver for the Ribble Bus Co and later ran a successful driving school in Middleton.  Eventually he said he got fed up with middle aged ladies who took their test at the wrong time of the month and bought a Manchester Cab.  He also developed a taste for investments and in his last years spent a lot of his time watching a TV financial page.  He made enough money to buy himself a nice Mercedes which he loved.  Don was fond of a drink and was always hospitable to any callers. So best of luck Don, I hope the heavenly bar is always open.

Representatives from the TODA attended a Trade Liaison Meeting on 17th September 2009 at Manchester City Council.

Council representatives informed the trade that Network Rail are planning to improve Manchester Piccadilly Station by altering the Taxi Rank.  They also want to bring the station charges in line with other Pay As You Go stations .i.e. by raising the 20p barrier charge to 60p.

Shall we challenge this outrageous imposition or shall we be pragmatic and ask the council if we can pass this charge on to the passenger?

Please send your email responses and comments to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and talk to your trade representative (GMBU, Unite etc).