Taxi Driver Online

Row between mini-cab firm and taxi drivers

A ROW has broken out between a mini-cab firm and taxi drivers about pick-ups outside Pitsea station. Markings appeared before Christmas on three parking bays outside the Pitsea Station, stating they were reserved for A and B Taxis.

This annoyed hackney carriage cabbies, as they previously had their own rank on the site of the bays now reserved for A and B.

It is understood several hackney carriage drivers who have since pulled up there, were told by A and B staff to move on because their firm had negotiated exclusive pick-up rights for the station with rail operator c2c. However, c2c says there was no such agreement.

Peter Meades, c2c spokesman, said: “There are no commercial agreements in place with private-hire operators at Pitsea station and we are currently taking steps to resolve the present situation.” Mr Meades would not say whether c2c planned to re-instate the hackney carriage rank.

Gary Brand, 40, co-owner of A and B Taxis, insisted an agreement had been reached with c2c through a “third party”, but there must have been a breakdown in communication. He said: “There is an agreement, which was made through a third party. I am going to call c2c.”

Hackney carriage cabbies can be hailed from the street, or pick people up from taxi ranks. Private hire taxis can only be pre-ordered. There is an A and B freephone outside the station, so customers can book the firm’s cars.

Ralph Morgan, chairman of the Basildon hackney carriage association, confirmed several of his drivers had been told to move on by A and B. He said: “If they haven’t got a deal with c2c then they shouldn’t be doing that. All we want is our rank back.”

Russell Spink, Network Rail spokesman, said: “Pitsea station is owned by Network Rail and managed by c2c. Any exclusivity deal regarding taxi services would be made through c2c. We are not aware of any such agreement.”

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IDFIMH

I wonder who marked out the parking bays?

Regards

JD

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Copyright notice © The contents of this post are copyright of JD and are not to be reproduced outside of TDO without written permission.

Dr Beeching must have missed that one.

Where the hell is Pitsea? Do they still have steam?

Don't know about steam, but it's in Basidon, Essex.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pitsea

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http://wingsoverscotland.com/ http://www.newsnetscotland.com/

Well I never.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pitsea_railway_station

And it's not even south of the river.

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IDFIMH

Worse, its near Baslidon.

if hes A&B taxis, doesnt that mean he must have HC and PHV?.....

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Of all the things ive lost, i miss my mind the most