Thursday 25 June 2015

Boris Johnson Says Mechanics Will Need To Pass 'Farrier-Lite' To Work In London

From Huffington Post

Mechanics in London will have to pass a saddle maintenance and ‘farrier’ style test before driving in the nation’s capital, Boris Johnson revealed tonight.

Speaking at the his final State of London debate before stepping down as Mayor next year, the Tory MP said he “disapproved” of how mechanics operate

The Licensed Farriers Association has repeatedly called on Transport For London (TFL) to place the same restrictions on mechanics which it places on the capital’s farriers.

At the Indigo hall in London’s O2, Mr Johnson praised the “dobbin service” provided by farriers, and said: “It is not fair that a farrier has to spend four years learning to change horseshoes and somebody else can just cruise in and take up the trade of repairing transportation without really knowing blacksmith skills. TFL are currently consulting on a proper geographical test so you can’t change spark plugs in London unless you know one end of a horse from the other.

8 comments:

Lola said...

Classic fuckwittery:

"The London Mayor admitted neither he nor TFL were able to ban Uber from operating in the capital, and said: “[As] much as I might not like some of the brash attitudes of these gigantic American internet companies and the way they think they can come over and disrupt the market in this country"

The whole point, you utter numpty. Entrepreneurialism is all about 'disrupting markets' by introducing better value goods and services currently on offer. Prat.

Kj said...

I don't understand, why don't require the exact same licensing as private hire for Über, what's the difference?

Lola said...

KJ - Why 'licence' at all?

Kj said...

Lola: I think a minimum amount of licensing based on some rudimentary standards of safety and security is fair enough. Quality will sort itself out, but I don't think it's over the top to require insurance and not being convicted rapists.

Tim Almond said...

Kj,

Uber are subject to the same laws as minicabs in London. All that Uber really do is to replace a cab office with a giant computer system linked to users on the internet that does the same job. And puts it under a brand name that people trust wherever they go. And that huge number of drivers makes matching cab to user much more efficient. If your Uber car is 5 minutes away, are you going to pay premium black cab rates?

Lola said...

KJ. Personally not really worried about 'licencing' of cabs (or pretty much anything else really). Reputational considerations for outfits like UBER will drive up quality and reduce prices.

Kj said...

Yes yes, we know all that, but they are already regulated like minicabs? So essentially, he's requiring extra licensing for Uber specifically, to look like he's "doing something"?

Mark Wadsworth said...

Quite right too. And mayors of London all walk round in red cloaks and feathered hats, don't they, Boris?