Taxi Driver Online

Newcastle cab drivers threaten strike action over dispute with Virgin Trains


Newcastle taxi drivers are unhappy about the price of a permit to park outside Newcastle Central Station

Taxi drivers in Newcastle have launched a scathing attack on one of the UK’s biggest train operators.

City hackney drivers held an extraordinary meeting on Thursday to discuss the possibility of strike action over a dispute with Virgin.

The anger centres around the cost of a permit to tout for business on the short stay car park outside Newcastle Central Station.

The permit is priced at £2,030 per year- more than the cost of a train station permit in Leicester, Birmingham and Preston combined.

Virgin argue the price reflects “market value”- and added contingency arrangements are in place if drivers decide to take industrial action.

Micky Thompson, RMT regional organiser, said 130 drivers attended a meeting on Thursday to discuss their next step.

He said: “We are being exploited by Virgin, drivers are paying in excess of £2,000. That is one of the highest permit prices in the country, they are looking at taxi drivers as cash cows.

“Drivers in Newcastle are paying considerably more than in Leicester, Birmingham or Preston where the price of a permit is £675.”

He added: “We have been trying to negotiate and have been getting nowhere, it is ridiculous. We are paying that much for the use of 10 spaces. Drivers don’t even have any facilities- they have to use public loos and when they are closed they need to go and pay for the use of a loo in a bar.”

Mr Thompson also raised concern that cabbies were having to compete against private hire drivers who were also using the short stay car park.

He said: “There is nothing in place to tackle the private hire drivers who use the short stay car park without paying the permit, this people’s livelihoods.

“We are currently seeking legal advice and will consider strike action if it comes to it, nothing is off the table.”

A Virgin Trains spokesperson said: “We’re in discussion with station taxi permit-holders about various proposals. The cost of the permit reflects its market value. We’re keen to keep talking but should strike action take place, we have good contingency arrangements.”

source: http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/nor ... e-11234457

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

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Justice for the 96. It has only taken 27 years...........repeat the same lies for 27 years and the truth sounds strange to people!

If that £2,030 Investment ina permit stood to gain you £40,000 worth of extra work then it would me sound financial sense to by one, but if It only offered to generate a small nett profit then Don't...Either Buy or Don't buy..no ones forcing them into owning a permit.

I just loathe Newcastle central station since its so called "Improvement" I'll only drop off there these days and only then if it's really worth it, yet things used to be so simple at this station.

Just like Edinburgh Waverley Station once the Clever Trendy PC designers get their mitts on thing they take something good that was simple in operation and ease of use and then spend 10s of £Millions on a vanity project that no fecker likes afterwards (Customer nor Service provider).

Who thinks these Schemes up for Pete's sake, If it works don't try anf fix it, sadly they just can't help themselves, they just mess with things until they break them.

Don't know why they need one, the main rank is in a side street, with a few rank spaces on the main road

Didnt the RMT achieve a no fee arrangement at Birmingham New Street ??

fekking stoopid agreeing to pay anything at all to supply a SERVICE to VIRGINS customers only cab drivers could be so stoopid ffs

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All posts by this contributor are made in a strictly personal capacity

I AM PROUD TO BE A CITIZEN NOBODY'S SUBJECT http://www.republic.org.u

F88K EM ALL WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND

BOOZE BOOZE BOOZE

But is the £2,000 a price to sit on the rank, or a price to keep others away from it?

Maybe both.

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IDFIMH

He said: “We are being exploited by Virgin, drivers are paying in excess of £2,000. That is one of the highest permit prices in the country, they are looking at taxi drivers as cash cows.

Nothing new there then !

the question is do Newcastle drivers make 3 times what drivers at say Peterborough or York where they pay a lot less ? if not why is it 3 times the price ?

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lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector

I think we know the answer

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

I reckon they're going to hike it up until it's no longer viable for the drivers to pay it, £38 per week to sit on a rank is a bit steep IMO.

Until apirate hire operator offers half a million a year for exclusive rights

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lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector

cant even drop of there now, has a sandwich boards saying something like " Newcastle taxis only" & have taxi marshals on i just ignore them, they are normally ok

I didn't like to say that bit.