Taxi Driver Online

TAXI CHANGES 'WILL HIT FARES'

Concerned cabbies today warned new Government rules would create a "free-for-all" in East Riding towns and hit passengers in the pocket.

Almost 200 Hackney Carriage drivers are fighting plans to remove restrictions on the areas in which they operate.

Drivers presently have to stay in one area but, under the new plans, they will be able to service the whole of the East Riding.

The move will also see a uniform taxi fare introduced in the county.

Drivers today warned such changes could see passengers paying more for their fares in Bridlington, where rates have traditionally been lower than elsewhere.

They also claim it could see quieter areas of the East Riding left without enough cabs, as drivers head to the busiest spots to pick customers.

Campaigners say it could lead to cabs flooding to Bridlington in the summer, but heading off to busy places such as Beverley at weekends.

Dave North, representative of the National Taxi Federation in Bridlington, said: "It could leave taxi ranks in some quieter areas empty.

"Bridlington has always been able to charge a lower rate because it has a high proportion of elderly customers who rely on the service.

"It isn't fair that drivers would have to raise prices to charge the same as the rest of the East Riding."

Taxi drivers have already launched a petition as they campaign to prevent the changes being introduced.

East Riding Council's cabinet has approved the deregulation, and the changes are on course to be introduced next spring.

But cabbies are meeting with East Yorkshire MP Greg Knight next week to ask for his support. They are hoping to persuade him to present their petition to the Government.

Beverley taxi driver Colin Hara said: "Passengers could be the ones who suffer in the long run.

"Drivers from other places could come here and not know exactly where they're going - yet we're supposed to get fares to their destinations by the shortest route."

The deregulation forms part of the Government's Action Plan for Taxis and Private Hire Vehicles.

The Office of Fair Trading wants to introduce the changes to reduce taxi waiting times.

The changes will not restrict private hire vehicles, but will affect the 188 Hackney Carriage licences in the county.

Councillor Margaret Chadwick, chairman of East Riding Council's licensing committee, said: "I have sympathy with the taxi drivers, but this is a Government initiative and they need to take it up with them."

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