Taxi Driver Online

Taxis fury at new station layout
By Nick Pritchard
Dec 3, 2004, 08:40


Furious taxi drivers at the Stafford Railway Station rank say the disastrous re-design of the frontage is creating traffic problems and increases the risk of accidents.

But council planners stood by the scheme and admitted delays were a deliberate policy. Passengers are also having to pay extra as taxi meters are running while they wait to leave the station.

Despite three accidents at the junction, county council spokesman Jeremy Herbert said: "Taxi passengers still need to access the rank across the taxi flow but drivers are aware of their customers' needs and speed has been designed out to improve safety."

Passengers are having to pay extra as taxis try for several minutes to get off the station forecourt.

Previously, taxis exited the rank after pedestrian crossing traffic lights on Station Road but with that end now pedestrianised, they exit before the lights and are blocked in by vehicles pulling up in front of the junction and the cat and mouse game of edging out has led to some minor shunts.

Chairman of the Stafford Taxi Proprietors Association Paul Bates said drivers trying to exit onto Station Road can be stuck there for at least two minutes at a time and, over a shift, probably waste 20 to 30 minutes, with the customer suffering because the meter starts from when they get in the cab.

So far £150,000 has been spent on the improvement programme but Mr Bates is also not convinced the new layout at the station protects pedestrians adequately.

He said: "They are pedestrianising the section where we used to exit, for the safety of people coming in and out of the station, but to get a ride from us they have to walk across three lanes of traffic.

"We were consulted initially but the plans have changed. Apart from that first meeting we have not been involved."

Spokesman for development services Mr Herbert said the entrance improvements, discussed at a consultation day in May last year, improved access for all and put public safety first.


regards

Captain Cab

sounds like an increase in waiting time is needed

Captain Cab

Waiting time, yeah makes up 75% of what I earn, flantastic

Regards

Eric

Yeah, I'm a bit look you Eric, probably about 75% of my shift is waiting time.

Trouble is I don't get paid for it.