Council rules 'will kill off Dales taxi trade'
Play Fare - Matlock's taxi drivers are angry at the district council plans to implement a series of new regulations that may force some of them out of business.
Angry taxi drivers say "diabolical" new rules and fees will force Dales firms out of business.
The drivers have united in a bid to challenge Derbyshire Dales District Council's taxi regime – which introduces four new charges, doubles some existing fees and means all new taxis must be less than three years old.
Matlock taxi driver Rahmat Khan said: "We're not happy at all. They're not listening when we say some firms will go out of business – 14 or 15 drivers will be on the dole as a result of these costs.
"It's diabolical and I can't believe they have done this without consulting drivers. There's something wrong in this council," he added.
The district council said drivers and operators had been consulted since September 2008 over the rules, which aimed to tackle over-supply, improve safety and make taxis more accessible and environmentally-friendly.
But disgruntled drivers – who said the council had repeatedly refused to meet them – formed a new association on Tuesday night to fight the changes.
Michael Fox, from Fox Cars, said drivers were paying for councillors' "idiotic" mistake of licensing too many drivers from outside the Dales.
Mr Fox said: "There wasn't a problem until they created it, but now we're having to suffer with these changes.
"A decent saloon car less than three years old will cost £8,000 and we are in the middle of a recession. How will people afford that?"
Viv Bent, from Cavendish Taxis, said trade was falling "big time", due to nightclub closures and high fuel costs.
"If we push up prices we'll kill the trade completely. This is our livelihood," she added.
A district council spokeswoman said charges had been brought into line with neighbouring authorities.
She added: "The policy enables transparent governance of hackney and private hire vehicles and ensures certainty over the district council's approach."
Drivers will sit written exams on local geography, the Highway Code, licensing laws and basic English.
The drivers are planning another meeting next week; for information call Mr Fox on 07884 060640.
http://www.matlockmercury.co.uk/news/Council-rules-39will-kill-off.5107747.jp
