Taxi Driver Online

101 new taxi rank spaces - but drivers still frustrated

MORE than 100 new rank spaces are being created for taxis across North East Lincolnshire – doubling the numbers currently available. But the move – promised by North East Lincolnshire Council in response to protests – has been branded as not going far enough by frustrated taxi drivers.

They say too many licences are being handed out – with 236 drivers vying for rank space. The 101 additional spaces – some new while others are extensions to existing ranks – will be created across Grimsby, Cleethorpes and Immingham. Work could start as soon as 16 days' time following a consultation period.

But members of the Hackney Carriage Association said they were unhappy – claiming there would still be more taxis on the road than spaces. Welcoming the additional spaces, council leader Andrew De Freitas said the move followed widespread protests about the lack of rank space in the area and consultation with the association, as reported.

In Cleethorpes, 48 spaces will be created, with a further 46 in Grimsby, four in Humberston and three in Immingham. There are currently 94 rank spaces in the area – 46 in Grimsby, 41 in Cleethorpes, four in Humberston and three in Immingham. That means that there could soon be a total of 195 waiting spaces in North East Lincolnshire.

However, Dave Atkin, the chairman of the association, said this was not the answer. He said: "I'm pleased that there will be additional spaces but the problem is there are more and more taxis than there are spaces. "The council just keep giving out licences."

Figures released to the Grimsby Telegraph show there have been 34 new hackney carriage (taxi) drivers handed licences since April 2008 and an additional 54 private hire licences (minicabs) in the same period. That means there are now currently 236 licences for hackney carriages and 476 for private hire – a total of 712 taxi licences in North East Lincolnshire.

However, not all will be vying for rank space. Hackney carriages can be flagged down, or wait in ranks, however, private hire vehicles can only pick up passengers who have booked in advance. There is no cap set by the council on the number of licences.

Taxi driver Andy King (46), of Scartho, said: "I'm delighted that there is going to be an increase of some sort but with the amount of licences going up there is still going to be nowhere for them to park. "I know there is a big thing about making sure people aren't waiting for a taxi at the end of a night out, but drivers are losing livelihoods because more licences keep being given."

Another, who did not wish to be named, said: "This is decent news but that is all it is. "There are still far too many licences and this is what really needs addressing."

Council leader Andrew De Freitas revealed he had sympathy with the association. He said: "I can sympathise with them and I know there have been similar issues in North Lincolnshire. "We need to address this."

John Seale, head of public protection at the council, said: "There is an ongoing wider review into the provision of taxis across North East Lincolnshire, and a report will be considered by the council's Community Protection Committee."

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IDFIMH

We have got less than 50 spaces down here - with over 900 plates

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if you cannot be yourself, then who can you be.

Rank? .....What's a rank?????

Just as a matter of interest how many private hire vehicles operate in cardiff cabbyjohn?

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now a licensed hackney driver

I am not altogether certain but I have heard figures of 2000 mentioned.

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if you cannot be yourself, then who can you be.

That is just madness, i bet you cant move on a saturday night with all them cars out

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now a licensed hackney driver

There are times and more often than not the last two Saturdays of the month when I can honestly say that there is no unmet demand. The other Saturdays and you will wait for no longer than 5/10 mins unless there is something special on.

You are right re not being able to move - there are cabs everywhere, and I mean everywhere.

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if you cannot be yourself, then who can you be.

80 taxis vying for just 8 spaces here thats if they aren't occupied by

DELIVERY LORRIES
BUILDERS VANS :evil:
PRIVATE CARS :twisted:

or

PARKED POLICE CARS

Whilst I would suggest the local association is right to welcome the additional spaces, quite where the council will put them is another matter.

The above aside, it would appear the recent demonstration has began to bear fruits?

CC

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

Of course, some ranks are better than others.

We have ranks that are never used and others that are so overpopulated, parking tickets are threatened on a regular basis.