Taxi Driver Online

Taxi drivers in work protest

TAXI drivers have launched an angry protest after being told they can no longer operate at Teesside’s airport. The independent drivers were told at 4.30pm on Thursday that their contract to pick up fares from Durham Tees Valley Airport was cancelled as of midnight that day.

The taxi contract has been given to a single company, Durham Tees Valley Taxis Ltd. The beleaguered cabbies said they are now seeking legal advice with the support of a GMB union representative.

However, a spokesman for the airport said the decision to invite tenders for the taxi rank was “a straightforward commercial process aimed at ensuring a cost-effective and high quality service for our customers”.

He added: “We can understand that other taxi operators may feel disappointed that they have not been successful in the tender process “However we believe that the decision to place airport taxi services with a single company is in the best interests of both our customers and the company.”

The cabbies gathered in protest at the airport on Friday and they are planning a second demonstration today. David Finnigan, 62, from Stockton, has been working at the airport for the past five-and-a-half years. He said: “We find ourselves out on our ears.

“All we have ever wanted to do was work, earn a living and to provide a safe cost-effective, reliable and courteous service for travellers to and from the airport. “We are now looking for support.”

The taxi drivers unable to work from the airport say they will have to take their business to Darlington town centre.

Darrel Chapman, 48, from Darlington, has worked at the airport for four years. “This is my only source of income,” he said. “Darlington is absolutely flooded with cabs so it’s going to be very hard for us and the drivers already there. “I upgraded my car to work here which cost £7,000.”

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IDFIMH

Mr BB to the rescue, that's if his car will make it.

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IDFIMH

yeah, I wage an awful lot of them will be running to pay their subs as we speak

CC

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

Interesting situation.

Does anyone know the licensing jurisdiction of the Airport and whether or not it allows multiples who are licensed outside the default councils area, to obtain plying for hire permits.

Can anyone shed any light as to how and where the rank is situated and how it operates in principal?

Regards

JD

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Copyright notice © The contents of this post are copyright of JD and are not to be reproduced outside of TDO without written permission.

Do existing airport workers feel they may be frozen out of the new setup?

The airport can make their own bylaws and exclude anyone from plying for hire but if it does allow drivers from outside the licensed area to ply for hire then it could be making a rod for its own back.

Regards

JD

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Copyright notice © The contents of this post are copyright of JD and are not to be reproduced outside of TDO without written permission.

I wager pennies are at the bottom of it.

CC

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

Palms Crossed with Silver is an Old Expression...any Idea what it means?

How much do they currently pay, any idea?

Regards

JD

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Copyright notice © The contents of this post are copyright of JD and are not to be reproduced outside of TDO without written permission.

One of the questions that would be reasonable to be asked.... is whether the airport has hired a independent company to franchise out.... and if they have.... what their name would be....

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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!

I dont know, I wonder if the terminal building is a rather quaint old nissen hut

CC

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