Taxi Driver Online

Hackney carriages back at Junction

AFTER nearly three years of protests, blockades and arrests, hackney carriages have returned to the forecourt at Watford Junction station.Train operator Silverlink's decision to re-open the rank to the hackneys means commuters will once again be able to catch cabs right outside the station's doors free from legal ambiguity.

Three years ago Silverlink negotiated an exclusive contract with private hire firm AA United, kicking the hackneys off the forecourt.

Travellers were left having to catch a private hire cab via a complicated ticket system.

The decision to exclude the hackneys in 2004 provoked a series of demonstrations at the station by drivers, which included blockading the forecourt on a number of occasions.

The AA contract has now expired and a gate system has been installed at the station so any driver with a hackney licence who pays the appropriate fee can gain access and ply for hire.

Silverlink's retail manager, Hugh Jennings, said: "We were very happy with AA, who had provided private hire services at the stations for two years.

"With their contract coming to an end we took the opportunity to see whether there was any way we could improve the services offered at the station.

"With the deregulation of these services in Watford many more taxis have become available and we saw an opportunity here for our customers.

"Very positive discussions with the WHCDA resulted in an agreement about rental, quality of vehicles and code of conduct, and I am delighted to welcome them back onto the forecourt."

Full story in tomorrow's Watford Observer.

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

A novel way of getting back into the station.

See de-limitation is the way forward.

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IDFIMH

tell them to stick there station where the sun doesnt shine..

But who then pays the mortgage?

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IDFIMH