Taxi Driver Online

Council plan could kill off local taxi firms, claim



TAXI drivers are fearing for the future of their businesses due to proposals which could see increased competition on Burton’s roads.

East Staffordshire Borough Council is planning to remove the limit on the number of Hackney carriages allowed in Burton, which is likely to mean less custom for the town’s current firms.

In a further blow, the council is also proposing to allow private hire taxis to accept customers who flag them down as they pass or from taxi ranks.

Currently only Hackney carriages are permitted to take customers who hail cabs and from taxi ranks, as well as prebookings, whereas private hire taxis can only take fares that have been booked in advance.

Under the new plans, a private hire cab from Derby dropping a customer in Burton would then be able to be flagged down by another customer wanting to travel elsewhere in the town, meaning Burton custom lining the pockets of Derby taxi firms.

Taxi drivers in Burton feel that an increase in the amount of Hackney carriages will swallow up competition in what is a relatively small town.

Additional proposals to allow private hire vehicles from elsewhere to pick up customers in Burton are seen as a further kick in the teeth, which taxi firms say could put them out of business.

Shokad Mahmood, owner of A1 Taxis and 58 Taxis, in Station Street, said: “Burton is a very small place. If big firms are allowed to hijack all the trade, we will be finished. More cars will be allowed to come on the roads, from areas such as Derby and Lichfield. These cars are not allowed to pick up fly-by passengers at the moment, but now they will be able to hang around in Burton.

“It is going to ruin the business, and all other small taxi businesses around here.”

The plans are currently in their consultation stage, with East Staffordshire Borough Council keen to hear the views of both taxi drivers and members of the public.

Mr Mahmood pledged to fight the council’s proposals in a bid to safeguard the future of his business.

“I have been to a town hall meeting, and more meetings are in the pipeline. This could ruin my business, we’re going to arrange more meetings and take it from there.

A spokesman for East Staffordshire Borough Council said: “The proposals are only at the consultation stage at present and we are urging people, including licensed taxi drivers, to respond to the proposals.”

A final decision is expected to be made following the end of the consultation period on Monday, September 10.

Members of the public can have their say about the proposals at

www.eaststaffsbc.gov.uk

http://www.burtonmail.co.uk/News/Counci ... 082012.htm

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

So an illegal blessing for the PH to pic up a flag or unbooked run, and if they are allowed to do that in Burton they will do it all over East Staffordshire
Have they informed the PH involved they will need to change or inform there insurance???

wouldnt that require a wholesale change in the law (and insurances, etc)?

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Of all the things ive lost, i miss my mind the most

Illegal surely?

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http://wingsoverscotland.com/ http://www.newsnetscotland.com/

Of course its totally illegal where do some of these Noddy Town Councils get their rules & regulations from not to mention bye-laws, they my make them up in their sleep, if there's Laws like the 1976 & 1847 Acts why is the Law Commission going to all the b??????s that their up to at the moment, how about Homer Simpson for Head of the Law Commission, he would get my vote, couldn't make a worse job than the buggers doing it at the moment.
Mal

pmsl

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

Be an interesting situation.

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IDFIMH