Drivers Stump Up Cash For Taxi Survey
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Taxi drivers have stumped up £7,000 for a survey to assess the need for cabs – after calling for a cap on the number of drivers in the borough.
As reported, taxi drivers protested against North East Lincolnshire Council's policy of issuing unrestricted of taxi licences earlier this year, saying there were not enough ranks to cater for the increasing number of hackney carriages on the roads.
Last May – under increasing pressure from drivers – the council agreed to a temporary suspension on the number of licenses being issued.
However, in accordance with Government advice, to keep the cap in place legally, NELC announced it would need a borough-wide survey questioning whether demand for taxis in the area is being met.
Due to budget restrictions in light of the recent economic downturn, the council demanded a deposit from the Hackney Carriage Association to cover half of the £15,000 cost of the survey – a sum which will be reimbursed and recovered next year by raising cab licence fees by £55 to £195.
David Atkin, chairman of the Hackney Carriage Association, believes the majority of cab drivers in area were willing to pay towards the survey.
He said: "We conducted a survey back in May and April. We asked 111 drivers if they'd be prepared to contribute to the unmet demand survey.
"Out of them, 110 said they would, but not as many were willing to have the costs added to their licence fee."
But not every driver agrees with the new plans.
Grimsby cab driver, Nagim Obrian, 35, said: "It's bureaucratic bullying. The council didn't regulate the number of cabs on the road in the first place and we can't earn money because of their gross incompetence.
"How can they expect us to pay for this when it's their responsibility to maintain the hackney carriage service."
Source; thisisgrimsby.co.uk
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