Have tuk-tuks run out of luck?
EUROPE'S first fleet of tuk-tuks faces a fight to stay on the roads just months after the service was launched in Brighton and Hove.
A public inquiry has been called following allegations that the motorised rickshaws are not sticking to the timetable set out in their licence.
A dozen tuk-tuks have been carrying the public around the city since July but not everybody has welcomed the multicoloured vehicles normally associated with the streets of Thailand.
continued...
The city's Taxi Trade Forum has been consulting lawyers to challenge TucTuc Ltd's bus operators licence, which requires the firm only to pick up passengers from designated spots and operate to a strict time table.
Under the agreement, the tuk-tuks run between Brighton Marina, Brighton station and Hove and cost £2.50 for an adult single journey.
A spokesman for the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency confirmed that Christopher Heaps, Traffic Commissioner for the South East and London, had received a formal complaint and that a team of bus compliancy officers had been sent to the city's streets to compile a report on the tuk-tuk service.
Mr Heaps concluded that evidence should be put before a public inquiry into TucTuc Ltd set for October 3.
He would have the power to stop the company operating if the inquiry found against the company.
The commissioner could also hand out a fine of up to £16,000, or stop the firm from registering any more tuk-tuks .
This is the second blow to the rickshaw operator in less than a week, after fashion house Burberry ordered Brighton and Hove's favourite tuk-tuk, the chavrolet, off the road over allegations it was in breach of copyright laws.
Dominic Ponniah, founder of TucTuc Ltd, said he was disappointed with the decision and urged supporters to sign a petition he has set up at
www.surveymonkey.com He said: "Since our launch just a month ago, the tuk-tuks have been warmly received by the people of Brighton and Hove. We are offering a unique transport service and I believe we have boosted the city as a tourist destination.
"However, we are really disappointed that a minority of the Brighton taxi community feels so threatened by a fleet of just 12 tuk-tuks .
"We have been criticised for not consistently sticking to the timetable we first submitted when we were granted a licence to operate our tuk-tuk bus service. It takes time to establish a new service such as this and I am proud of the gains we have made so far.
"I can honestly say that I have personally received no more than five complaints compared to literally hundreds of letters of support.
"Our small fleet represents no competition to the taxis and yet we find ourselves constantly under attack by them."
Councillor Simon Burgess, council leader, is one of the tuk-tuks supporters, but said all public vehicles must comply with their licence. He said: "They sum up a lot of what people love about the city - environmentally friendly, bright and fun."
The inquiry will be held at Ivy House, Ivy Terrace, Eastbourne, from 10am.
Login
Register
FAQ
