Taxi Driver Online

Staines cabbies caught on camera flouting law


Hackney carriage drivers have been caught mounting pavements and overfilling cab ranks.

Staines private hire taxis and hackney carriages, which can get fares by being hailed down, have been at loggerheads since a taxi rank sprang up in Gresham Road five years ago.

Private hire cabs claim hackney carriages flood the station and are a danger to pedestrians who are forced to weave through cabs touting for fares and act abusively to taxi drivers.

Ronia cab driver Terry Lyden, who photographed the hackney carriages along Gresham Road, said: “We need to get the public to be aware of the needs of the disabled and particularly the blind as well as young and old before a tragedy occurs.

“I am just finishing a very detailed complaint to Surrey Council about this.

“Gresham Road needs to be carefully redesigned to make it safe for everybody and especially the disabled, young and old who need proper safe access to the station in all conditions.”

Spelthorne Council agreed to consult on plans to extend the rank on February 17 but Mr Lyden has said the rank is dangerous as it stands and should not be extended.

Ronia Cabs, which has offices near the station, claim drivers are abusive to their customers and expanding the rank would make the problem worse.

Mr Lyden added: “Because these drivers pay the council more money for licenses it’s like they are the council’s customers and the council is just bowing down to them.”

Councillor Colin Davis, portfolio holder for regeneration, explained there had been problems at the rank in the past and urged residents to report any breach of the rules.

He said: “The council is familiar with disagreements between the private hire drivers on the one hand and hackney carriages on the other and we will continue to do our best to ensure the rules are enforced.”

He added the law must be followed but where it was unfair then, following consultation, the council would look at changing it.

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

I think over ranking is major problem in a lot of places. Too many taxis not enough spaces for them. When the main rank in town here is full of an evening they over spill to the bus stop over the other side of the road blocking the top of the left lane and when that is full they actually wait in the middle of road.

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Note to self: Just because it pops into my head does NOT mean it should come out of my mouth!!