Taxi Driver Online :: View topic - Northampton station drivers say it's not fair.

Meteor Parking Ltd, the firm appointed to oversee the station's taxi rank, has imposed the new rule under a fresh agreement offered to the town's Hackney carriage drivers.

However, under the terms of the new contract, which is being delivered to Hackney carriage drivers, only 10 drivers will be allowed into the station at any one time and cabs will have to instead circle the area while they wait for a space.

Joe Matthews, chairman of the Northampton Hackney Association, said the move would hit cab drivers financially and end up harming commuters. He said: "They don't seem to worry about the affect it will have on their customers. They won't get picked up and they will just have to wait."

From May 21, Hackney carriage drivers will have to pay £257.14 for a permit to allow them entry into the station for the rest of the year, and until April 2011. Drivers who break the terms of the contract risk being banned from the station.

Mr Matthews said during rush hour, especially when train services were delayed, more than 30 taxis are required to meet demand. He said: "What do we do with the cars that aren't allowed in? Where do the drivers go? We can't just drive round and round and round. It is ridiculous."

He added: "We need to earn a living and we are fighting for survival. "Things are bad enough as it is. This is just like a hole in the head."

Brian Binley, MP for Northampton South, has already written to Northampton Borough Council and London Midland to express his "serious concern".

He said: "People like me and other customers come out of the station and need a taxi. Taxi drivers are a vital part of our public transport and there will be no way for them to top up the rank.

Author:	Sussex [ Tue May 18, 2010 7:06 pm ]
Post subject:	Northampton station drivers say it's not fair.
Station taxi limit 'ridiculous' - MP Angry Hackney carriage drivers have branded a decision to allow only 10 cabs into Northampton Station at any one time as "ridiculous", warning the rule will end up hitting commuters. Meteor Parking Ltd, the firm appointed to oversee the station's taxi rank, has imposed the new rule under a fresh agreement offered to the town's Hackney carriage drivers. Under the current agreement, cabbies can pull up in an overspill car park inside the station and are able to join the taxi rank when a space becomes available. However, under the terms of the new contract, which is being delivered to Hackney carriage drivers, only 10 drivers will be allowed into the station at any one time and cabs will have to instead circle the area while they wait for a space. Joe Matthews, chairman of the Northampton Hackney Association, said the move would hit cab drivers financially and end up harming commuters. He said: "They don't seem to worry about the affect it will have on their customers. They won't get picked up and they will just have to wait." From May 21, Hackney carriage drivers will have to pay £257.14 for a permit to allow them entry into the station for the rest of the year, and until April 2011. Drivers who break the terms of the contract risk being banned from the station. Mr Matthews said during rush hour, especially when train services were delayed, more than 30 taxis are required to meet demand. He said: "What do we do with the cars that aren't allowed in? Where do the drivers go? We can't just drive round and round and round. It is ridiculous." He added: "We need to earn a living and we are fighting for survival. "Things are bad enough as it is. This is just like a hole in the head." Brian Binley, MP for Northampton South, has already written to Northampton Borough Council and London Midland to express his "serious concern". He said: "People like me and other customers come out of the station and need a taxi. Taxi drivers are a vital part of our public transport and there will be no way for them to top up the rank."

Author:	GBC [ Tue May 18, 2010 7:15 pm ]
Post subject:
Then they all drive onto the forecourt and stay there until the Railway see's sense. If they all feel equally aggrieved, which I'm sure they do, it's hardly a great challenge to organise a drive in. The forecourt isn't that big and would fill up quickly.

Author:	Nigel [ Wed May 19, 2010 6:32 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Northampton station drivers say it's not fair.
Sussex wrote: Meteor Parking Ltd, the firm appointed to oversee the station's taxi rank, has imposed the new rule under a fresh agreement offered to the town's Hackney carriage drivers. I'm sure I've heard of them somewhere before Sussex wrote: However, under the terms of the new contract, which is being delivered to Hackney carriage drivers, only 10 drivers will be allowed into the station at any one time and cabs will have to instead circle the area while they wait for a space. I'm sure the Council have green plans, 30 or so Taxis driving round will not help the Council's green plans Sussex wrote: Joe Matthews, chairman of the Northampton Hackney Association, said the move would hit cab drivers financially and end up harming commuters. He said: "They don't seem to worry about the affect it will have on their customers. They won't get picked up and they will just have to wait." 10 cars won't be able to clear a full train Sussex wrote: From May 21, Hackney carriage drivers will have to pay £257.14 for a permit to allow them entry into the station for the rest of the year, and until April 2011. Drivers who break the terms of the contract risk being banned from the station. Drivers having to pay to take the train companies passengers home are once again being used as a cash cow. Sussex wrote: Mr Matthews said during rush hour, especially when train services were delayed, more than 30 taxis are required to meet demand. He said: "What do we do with the cars that aren't allowed in? Where do the drivers go? We can't just drive round and round and round. It is ridiculous." When it's rush hour and the drivers are pushed don't pick up from the Station. Sussex wrote: He added: "We need to earn a living and we are fighting for survival. "Things are bad enough as it is. This is just like a hole in the head." It's coming to a station near everyone I'm afraid Sussex wrote: Brian Binley, MP for Northampton South, has already written to Northampton Borough Council and London Midland to express his "serious concern". Sussex wrote: He said: "People like me and other customers come out of the station and need a taxi. Taxi drivers are a vital part of our public transport and there will be no way for them to top up the rank. Try telling that to the Train companies.

Author:	skippy41 [ Wed May 19, 2010 9:09 am ]
Post subject:
Get in tough with the rail regulator there is a link on here somewhere with an email address

Author:	Nigel [ Wed May 19, 2010 6:34 pm ]
Post subject:
skippy41 wrote: Get in tough with the rail regulator there is a link on here somewhere with an email address Good idea but isn't he just for the railways?

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Author:	Sussex [ Wed May 19, 2010 6:51 pm ]
Post subject:
Nigel wrote: skippy41 wrote: Get in tough with the rail regulator there is a link on here somewhere with an email address Good idea but isn't he just for the railways? The Rail Regulator is sort of OFT for anything relating to stations and trains.

Author:	edders23 [ Thu May 20, 2010 3:09 pm ]
Post subject:
Perhaps they could get together and form a rolling road block coming up from the rugby ground over the river to the station in rush hour that ought to get everyones attention It isn't the biggest station forecourt but there is surely room for more than 10 or is it that meteor parking want more room for cars paying to park there

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