Taxi Driver Online

Taxi rank row to step up a gear


Outraged cabbies have attacked plans to extend Staines train station’s taxi rank, claiming Hackney carriages already clog the car park.

Arguments between private-hire taxis and Hackney carriages have been raging since the rank opened at the station five years ago, with private-hire company Ronia Mini Cabs, based on the same road, accusing Hackney drivers of stealing their customers and acting abusively.

Spelthorne Council, which must approve all Hackney carriage licences, has put forward proposals for an extra two spaces on the Gresham Road rank and a further seven spaces across the borough.

The council says it received a 43-signature petition from licensed taxi drivers for the Gresham Road plan.

At a meeting on Tuesday night councillors voted to consult the public on the plans.

Ronia driver Terry Lyden said: “At peak times at the station you have 15 Hackney carriage drivers all in the car park waiting for business. We have been battling five long years against the rank being there.

“At the moment with three spaces it’s chaos because no one abides by the rules.

“Because these drivers pay the council more money for licenses it’s like they are the council’s customers and the council is just bowing down to them.

“There are no numbers on the amount of licenses the council can issue.

“But the drivers complain there are no ranks to park at, so they won’t come to the council for licenses.

“We have heard nothing about these plans, the council is not representing all parties.

“Certain drivers are just ignoring the rules by shouting at customers for business and waiting in the car park.

“The rank is dangerous as it stands, extending it should be out of the question.”

Councillor Colin Davis, portfolio holder for regeneration, said: “There are two sides to every argument and at the end of the day we have to do what is best for the customer.

“Ronia Cabs had a brilliant bit of business initiative in setting up next to the train station but they cannot have it both ways.

“As private-hire they provide a different service.”

He added: “There is a clear business case for providing more taxi ranks in the borough and the proposed locations reflect customer demand.

“There will be a consultation period of a month in which views and issues will be received and considered by the council.

“Assuming no objections are received we would hope these new ranks could be in place by the end of April.”

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

They mean people have chosen to travel in a Taxi as they are there and available for immeadiate hire? Never mind.




No.

PH drivers have attacked plans to extend the Staines Station Taxi rank.

Never mind (2).