Taxi Driver Online

Rank and file cab protest



By Paul Pickett


CABBIES have had angry clashes with rival taxi drivers who have been licensed to work outside Slough railway station.

The taxi drivers claim the newcomers are deliberately provoking them by using a feeder lane off Brunel Way, to ply for trade.

Mr Paramjit Badial, chairman of Slough Taxi Federation, said: " I am worried there could be a fight soon, and someone is going to get hurt. There have been arguments and quarrels.

"One of my drivers came close to being assaulted on Wednesday. He was pushed by one of the other drivers. Fortunately, I was there to pull them apart."

Slough Taxi Federation has 66 members, all of whom are Hackney carriage drivers with fare meters. The drivers, who operate out of Slough railway station, are licensed by Slough council.


But against their advice, the federation claims, just over a year ago the council licensed a further 16 members.


These drivers have formed the Slough Hackney Association.


Mr Badial said: "There just simply isn't the business for any new drivers operating out of Slough railway station. The amount of business there has actually been declining over the past five years.


"It is due to improved bus services and more people owning cars. We told the council this repeatedly, but they still went ahead and gave out these licences."


The chairman said that the newcomers had also been given permission to use the 'feeder lane' which leads to the taxi rank outside Slough railway station.


But federation members simply use the feeder lane to queue - not to ply for business.


Mr Badial said: "The new drivers are obstructing the 'feeder lane' and causing real distress to my members."


He also said that the federation was considering taking legal action against Slough council.


A spokesman for Slough Council said for over 20 years the number of Hackney carriage licences issued by the council had been restricted to 66.


"But over a year ago we came to the conclusion that there was more than enough of a market to handle more taxis, and decided to issue more licences."


She said that 'feeder lane', off Brunel Way, was on public land owned by the borough council, which was designated for use by taxis. She said: "The new taxi drivers are perfectly entitled to use the lane."


Mr Sarfraz Khan, secretary of the other 15 drivers, the Slough Hackney Association, said: "We are not causing any problems. My drivers are not causing any obstructions. We have permission from the council. We only use the feeder lane while we are waiting for customers. As soon as we get a job then we are off. The council has been down here to see and say what we are doing is alright."

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

I suppose many people will be wondering how this guy came to be elected leader of their local organisation? If he is the best they have down there, then god help them.

Mr Badial not only wants to bar drivers from the station he wants to bar them from public taxi ranks. I think he deserves a mention in the TDO news Section.

Regards

JD

Two things, firstly the story reminds me of 'The Life of Brian' with the different association names, and secondly fancy licensed taxis being allowed to ply on council approved ranks.

Whatever next?

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IDFIMH