Taxi Driver Online

Give it one afternoon.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/west ... 176370.stm

But association secretary, Mike Shingler, told BBC News that drivers will have to buy swipe cards at a cost of £800 annually and pass the cost on to passengers.

And the problem with that is?

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IDFIMH

Birmingham Evening Mail

September 29, 2006, Friday

HEADLINE: Letter: Your Say - Taxi move no threat

BYLINE: Michelle Joyce

WITH reference to Faraz Yousufzai's column in the Mail on Monday, Birmingham's taxi drivers' livelihoods are not threatened by the new scheme at New Street - far from it.

The new scheme will cost taxi drivers nothing: registration is free and the 20p charge will be passed onto passengers who in return will benefit from increased taxi provision, improved security and better lighting in the taxi rank area.

As a not-for-dividend company, Network Rail will reinvest any profits from the scheme back into improving the railway for passengers.

The new scheme isn't about making money or threatening drivers' livelihoods - it's about allowing all licensed taxi drivers in the city access to New Street and providing a better service for passengers.

We want to work with the taxi drivers to make this happen.

Michelle Joyce, Station manager
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If Mr Shingler wants to voice his opinion on TDO about the new barrier system he is more than welcome.
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Birmingham Post

October 10, 2006, Tuesday

HEADLINE: Taxi drivers boycott New Street over 20p barrier charge

Taxi drivers were yesterday boycotting New Street station in Birmingham in protest at a new barrier system.

Cabbies will be charged 20p a time to access the taxi rank using a "top up card" they have applied for, with the payment then passed on to the passenger.

Network Rail said the new system was designed to improve the taxi service and security at the station.

Spokesman Peter Lepp-ard said: "More passengers are using New Street than ever before and this scheme will ensure the taxi service at the station can meet this demand.

"The scheme complements Network Rail's plans to transform New Street into a world class station for the city and any profit raised will be reinvested back into the station."

Mr Leppard said access to the taxi rank had previously been restricted to members of the Birmingham and Solihull Taxi Association, while the new scheme would allow all taxi drivers to pick up fares from the rank.

Mike Shingler, from Birmingham and Solihull Taxi Association, described the system as "totally unnecessary" and said that members had concerns about whether the barrier would stop them offering an efficient service.

Mr Shingler said the barrier had already broken down.

He said members had not been consulted about the new scheme and queried for how long the charge would remain at 20p.
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The latest on the Birmingham station saga.

Cabbies attacked in war over rail station rules

http://icbirmingham.icnetwork.co.uk/sun ... _page.html

Regards

JD

So drivers who are going about their business are being threatened by other drivers.

Not what one would call 'fit and proper'.

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IDFIMH