Taxi Driver Online

Constant use of the the t-word means that in essence this article doesn't really make any sense, at least in terms of detail.

But what's not really disputed is that plated cars are using the disabled bays. That's never happened before

And, yes, the street is called The Shambles, and the word isn't a reference to the article or the traffic management


Taxi drivers warned not to use disabled bays after complaints from Wednesbury residents

https://www.expressandstar.com/news/loc ... residents/

A taxi company has warned its drivers not to use disabled bays on a Wednesbury street after disabled residents complained about a lack of parking.

Shambles residents with blue badges have called on Sandwell Council to take action after a number of alleged incidents of taxis parking in restricted areas.

The Express & Star has seen at least three photographs that appear to back up the claims that taxis have indeed parked in disabled bays on the road.

Chris Young, a friend of a resident of the address, said: "A friend of mine, whose wife is disabled, is having constant problems using the disabled parking spaces because they are always taken up by taxis.

"One of the taxis stayed in the disabled bay for over three hours even though the taxi bay has been empty. Taxis aren't allowed to use these bays."

Choice Cars, which operates a taxi company on the street, said they have warned their drivers not to use the disabled bay, and that drivers who do use them will be held accountable.

The spokesperson added: "We have told the drivers that they shouldn't be parking in that disabled pay at all, it's not for them.

"However. It's not just our drivers that park on this street, there are a few taxis that park there. But we have told our drivers that they shouldn't be using those spots and if we find them using the bays they will be taken off the day work."

Images show the private taxis parked next to a taxi rank, which the spokesperson says they are not allowed to enter.

Sandwell Council said the issue is being investigated and urged motorists to leave disabled bays open for those who require them.

A Sandwell Council spokesperson said: "We are investigating this incident but in the meantime would urge all motorists to park appropriately and leave disabled parking spaces open for those that need them most."

The photo in the article seems to show a PHV, so the 'taxi' wouldn't be allowed to use the 'taxi bay' anyway, assuming the taxi bay is an official HC rank.

On the other hand, had a look on StreetView at the Choice Cars office, and there's an HC parked outside with the Choice Cars branding, so I'd guess it's mixed HC/PHV.

But couldn't see any 'taxi bay', nor any disabled bay, so the article is maybe referring to another location, or maybe the street has changed since the Google car visited in 2020.

And indeed the article seems to be referring to several different locations throughout the area.

For what it's worth, this is the article's photo, which seems to show a PHV in a disabled bay, but it's not clear if that's near the Choice Cars office or not.

https://www.expressandstar.com/resizer/ ... 2TKDWQ.jpg


Does he mean other 'private taxis' or HCs? Probably both...

So, to recap, I think that all that can be surmised is that plated cars are using disabled bays, but whether it's HCs or PHVs, or both, isn't clear. Nor is it clear what or where the 'taxi bay' is