Taxi Driver Online

Certainly sounds messy, but whether the drivers are doing anything illegal is maybe a moot point.

I'd guess the moans are partly to do with competition, partly about congestion, and partly against illegal parking etc.

And as usual, lots of different parties involved with it all, and the usual PR and buckpassing, or no comment at all

Like the Portsmouth story, though, another great photo


Taxi drivers say Bedford council 'out of its depth' managing private hire vehicles at train station

https://www.bedfordtoday.co.uk/news/pol ... on-5606298


Image: Bedford Today

Hackney carriage drivers have claimed Bedford council is “out of its depth” over private hire vehicle activity at Bedford Midland Station.

Licensed taxi drivers claim app-based private hire vehicles are routinely waiting in the station’s 20-minute public pick-up bays during peak evening periods, causing congestion and blocking access to the official taxi rank.

Drivers operating from the rank are required to pay for an annual permit to work at the station.

One hackney carriage driver said the situation between 6pm and 8pm most evenings is “very bad”, with “public cars, private hire and Uber drivers parked in the middle sometimes”.

He added: “We pay an annual permit to work at the train station but Uber and other private hire [drivers are] picking up jobs from the train station without any permit.”

A spokesperson for Bedford Action Group , which represents hackney carriage and minicab drivers, said: “Uber drivers are using the station as if it’s their base. They pull into the rank, park in the 20 minute bays and pull off to do their job.

“I’m unsure how the station thinks they are managing this situation. If anything is increasing the risk for station users.”

He added: “The council is out of its depth, even after monitoring the station activity on numerous occasions, they have achieved nothing.”

Drivers have also alleged that some vehicles wait near the bus stop outside the station on double yellow lines, raising safety concerns.

The forecourt and car park at the train station are managed by Thameslink.

A Thameslink spokesperson said: “Thameslink is responsible for the car park at Bedford station. APCOA work under instruction from us to enforce and manage the parking restrictions.

“We understand the concerns licensed Hackney Carriage drivers have raised at Bedford and have an open dialogue with many of the taxi firms and the local authority.

“Private hire vehicles can wait in the 20-minute pick-up zone if they have a confirmed journey due to arrive at the station in that time.

“We have employed a range of methods, from signage to ad-hoc marshalling, to make the car parking we offer at Bedford work for everyone who uses it.”

Uber said it complies with industry standards and local regulations.

Its spokesperson said: “Uber operates according to the high standards set across the industry and abides by the same regulations as all other private hire operators.

“The safety and wellbeing of everyone who uses our platform is our top priority, so in busy areas we take the extra step of guiding riders and drivers to recommended pick-up and drop-off locations.”

As the licensing authority for hackney carriage and private hire drivers, Bedford Borough Council was asked to clarify what the current rules are at the station, whether app-booked private hire drivers are permitted to wait in the public pick-up zone, how compliance is monitored, and whether any complaints have been received or enforcement action taken in the past year.

The council was also asked whether it is reviewing its approach or has any written guidance covering the station forecourt.

It had not responded at the time of publication.