Taxi Driver Online

Cabbie Pledges To Fight Council Over Toilet Break

4th October 2008

A taxi driver has pledged to challenge a council after being punished for going to the toilet while his car was parked on a rank.

Stuart Turner could be facing a £500 fine after a Darlington Borough Council inspector found his taxi unattended in the town’s Market Place.

Mr Turner, of Faverdale, Darlington, is calling for the relaxation of the ancient bylaws, which prohibit taxi drivers from leaving their vehicles while on the rank.

The 50-year-old, who used the Market Place toilets which are a stone’s throw from the rank, said an influx of taxis in Darlington over the past year means operators are waiting longer on the ranks and, as a result, can find themselves caught short.

“It is quite common to be waiting an hour-and-a-half,”

he said. “I don’t mind the laws – we couldn’t work without them, but I don’t think it is reasonable to be punished when you go to the shops or the loos when you are waiting at the back of the rank. I think they should look at this.

“I want the right to go to the toilet without driving around town looking for somewhere to park first.”

Another Darlington driver may appear in court to contest a prosecution brought by the council after he refused to accept a caution for leaving his taxi. If found guilty he will be fined £500.

He and Mr Turner are due to meet one of the council’s senior licensing officers next week. The officer will decide whether to caution or prosecute the men through the court system.

Mr Turner said he would not accept a caution because it would remain on his record and could harm his chances when his licence is renewed.

“I will not drop this,” he said.

A council spokeswoman said: “It is important that any hackney cab parked on a taxi rank is available to the public for immediate hire.

“A local bylaw, which all drivers must adhere to, states that a cab cannot be left empty on a rank. Failure to comply with the bylaw may result in action being taken.

“Any driver wanting to leave their vehicle should leave it in an appropriate place.”


Source; The Northern Echo

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Brummie Cabbie.

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

How many times do we here this nonsense?

Why the chap didn't just admit he was trying it on and pay the fine like everyone else who sits on a rank whilst not plying has to.

I suspect he is the sort of driver that goes away for 10/20 minutes and then comes back expecting to keep his turn on the rank.

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IDFIMH

We are allowed 5 minutes for going to the toilet whilst on the rank at our old bus station. Problem is the council have now closed the toilets and it would take at least 5 minutes to walk to the next nearest ones.

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Grandad,