Letters: Taxi drivers determined to play fair over complaints

The Edinburgh Licensed Taxi Partnership (ELTP), which was established to help raise the quality of the taxi service and ensure there is robust representation of a business that employs more than 5000 people, welcomes the changes in the complaints procedures reported in the News (January 14).

An effective complaints system is an essential part of customer care and whilst customer care in Edinburgh is very good, we want to make it even better.

There are more than five million taxi journeys in the city each year. With the figures reported in the News, these complaints would equate to a level of around 0.00392 per cent.

That level of complaints compares favourably to any service industry and we are proud these figures remain so low. Of course, we the taxi drivers want to push the level of complaints down even further.

In addition, we want to see the safety of passengers and drivers improved still further. The ELTP has been pressing for CCTV cameras to be permitted in Edinburgh’s licensed taxis. We firmly believe that this would help reduce further the number of complaints and equally importantly provide evidence that can enhance safety and tackle anti-social behaviour.

Edinburgh has a taxi fleet that plays a vital role in business and the tourist industry and is a vital public transport service of the nation’s capital. ELTP is determined to make the service better for residents and visitors alike.

Les McVay, chair, ELTP

Labour vote can be manipulated

TORIES and Lib/Dems are so thin on the ground in Scotland – we have almost as many pandas – that unionists have manipulated Scottish Labour supporters to vote against independence.

Their moral dilemma is that if they vote against, Scotland will still be under the yoke of the most right-wing British government since the Thatcher era.

Standing “shoulder to shoulder” with David Cameron like he did on university fees, NHS privatisation and public sector cuts, a weak Ed Miliband intensifies their dilemma.

It could intensify even further if Alex Salmond introduces a third option of ‘devo-max’ which could suggest he fears he can’t win outright, but may settle for keeping some power rather than losing honourably on a simple “yes” or “no”.

Because the Labour Party no longer knows what it stands for, its Scottish supporters are open to manipulation from the Tories in Westminster and a skilful Alex Salmond in Holyrood.

If people haven’t the moral fortitude to vote either “yes” or “no”, shouldn’t they abstain?

Jack Fraser, Clayknowes Drive, Musselburgh

Help the bookies beat shop raids

WITH regard to the recent spate of hold-ups to licensed bookmakers’ premises, I feel that licences should be amended and granted on the following basis:

• A minimum staffing of two counter workers

• Security screens with apertures for transactions

• Alarm systems with direct access to police stations and flashing lights outside, with controls behind the counter.

The introduction of these measures could boost employment and be paid from profits made.

Staff are the most valuable asset of any business and their safety should be a prerequisite.

D Scott, Marionville, Edinburgh

City won’t listen to suggestions

PROFESSOR Lewis Lesley came forward with an idea to speed up and extend the tram system, getting it back on track to where it was originally intended to run, Newhaven (News, January 2).

I am one of the older generation who has fond memories of the old “shugglies” and the many miles of track that ran round Edinburgh and Leith. How did they do it?

The city council has at no time heeded any ideas put forward to it in the past by its own citizens, for example a new Ross Bandstand, which is long overdue.

So why bother about Prof Lesley’s idea?

I am afraid we are going to be left with the same old excuses and buck-passing.

Maybe we should have called in the Japanese to build it for us.

Frank Batten, Corstorphine Park Gardens, Edinburgh