Taxi Driver Online

A cabbie has complained that his trade has been badly hit by Carlisle Racecourse after taxis were forced to stop parking at the main entrance.


David IrvingDavid Irving, 57, said he waited for an hour after Ladies’ Night on Monday, with around 40 to 50 other taxis, but did not pick up a single passenger.

The taxis have been moved to a field near the Durdar Road course to clear the area in front of the entrance.

Mr Irving said punters were being herded onto buses and hadn’t been told where the taxis could be found.

He said: “We used to sit right opposite the racecourse where we were very visible. But now it seems to us they want to get people away as quickly as possible, by loading them onto buses. As you can imagine, the taxi trade isn’t best pleased.”

Taxis were making only half their usual fares on what would normally be a lucrative shift, he said. The new arrangements were planned in July at a meeting between racecourse officials and the Carlisle Taxi Association.

He added: “We depend on events like these to make a living and in the current climate, it’s had an even greater impact than normal.”

Brian McCullough, secretary of the Taxi Association, said the new system would improve safety for punters on the roads outside the course. The area where drivers used to wait was designed to be used by emergency vehicles.

He said: “They’re trying a new system and it’s like anything else you put in place – it sounds simple, but there are teething troubles. Previously, there were people running across the road, jumping in front of the taxis and it was chaos at times.”

The association plans to hold another meeting at the racecourse to discuss how the system can be improved.

John Baker, the racecourse manager, said: “I think it’s quite unfair to be critical when we’ve tried to do the right thing for as many people as possible.

“We looked at the situation with the police, our safety officers and stewards because they had concerns about safety on Durdar Road.”

He added that drivers and punters had been informed of the changes, which were well publicised at the event.

http://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/taxi- ... rPath=home

Yes and as usual the taxi drivers comes of worst

I wouldn't be at all surprised if it isn't the bus companies that persuaded them to take this action its happened elsewhere as soon as the punters have to go out of their way to find a taxi they opt for the bus instead

So what happens if a punter calls for a cab to pick them up at the main door?

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Note to self: Just because it pops into my head does NOT mean it should come out of my mouth!!

Palms crossed with silver maybe???

This is covered partially in the Casey column this month, it gives the background, basically the choice was taxis getting moved on from ranking where they were.

CC

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

Perhaps they should use part of the car park as a feeder rank for the taxis with only a few vehicles parked up closer to the main entrance at any given time. If they need more car park spaces for punters they can put them on the field near by where the taxis where, it's obviously within walking distance. Alternatively the taxis could boycott the next meeting and St Cuthburt Without will indeed be without taxis

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Note to self: Just because it pops into my head does NOT mean it should come out of my mouth!!

A good number of drivers by passed the rank, in turn shafting their colleagues.......I dont think bringing an England Opening batsman into the racecourse situation will help here toots.

CC

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

Oh well do as the scousers do and just rob their wheels

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Note to self: Just because it pops into my head does NOT mean it should come out of my mouth!!