Taxi Driver Online

Traffic chaos as cabbies' strike over New Street Station space row

http://www.birminghammail.net/news/top-stories/2009/03/18/traffic-chaos-as-cabbies-strike-over-new-street-station-space-row-97319-23173756/

ANGRY cabbies caused traffic chaos in Birmingham after they downed keys in a wildcat strike over space at the New Street Station rank.

More than 200 stopped working because they said police officers tried to fine five taxi drivers who were waiting on double yellow lines.

Their vehicles blocked roads and held up motorists trying to get through the city yesterday lunchtime.

The station has a dedicated road for taxis which can hold about 40 cars but they regularly queue on Queens Drive and Hill Street which lead to the main exit from New Street.

Birmingham and Solihull Taxi chairman Irfaan Ahmed said: “This is the best place for fares in the whole city.

“We cannot tell drivers they should not get fares there when they are trying to make a living.

“We have asked the council and New Street to provide enough space for us but they have refused.

“If the station only wanted 40 drivers they should have only given out 40 cards for the barriers they introduced, but instead they gave out 1,400.”

“There needs to be room for at least 200 of us, a busy train from London can clear that many in 10 or 20 minutes.”

The protest was triggered by a police operation to check if taxis were parking illegally.

A Birmingham City Council spokesman said it supported the police’s operation and was working to improve taxi access to the station.

A spokesman said: “Public safety is paramount. The police acted responsibly in protecting public safety and we do not condone Hackney carriages waiting on dangerous bends.”

A meeting would be held to try to resolve the problem, he added.

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

Too many taxis

CC

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

I know this an off the wall question but do they have knowledge test in Birmingham

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

I dont know....but I guess they know where the station is

CC

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

if they persist in giving out licence they should make sure there is enough rank space.This is a problem that deregulation brings.

I think there's a barrier system at this station though......so the cabs are illegally parked waiting to get through the barrier?

From memory it used to be a permit sysyem.....but it was opened up.

Can't remember too many issues raised with the permits.

CC

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

I think something should be done to address the problem of rank spaces throughout the Uk. If councils are to de-reg then there should be something in place to force them to provide rank spaces, well IMO

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

Not according to Mr button.....you see its all relative.....some cabs are at work on ranks....some cabs are hired from ranks.....some cabs are not at work....and some are off the road through breakdowns.

See.....all these cabs on ranks are a mere figment of our imaginations.

CC

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

Got it. They sleep with Tinkerbell

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

If they do they clearly don't include the Highway Code.

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IDFIMH