Watford taxi drivers renew numbers plea
Taxi drivers have renewed their plea for a reduction in the amount of operating licences granted by Watford Borough Council.
They say they are struggling to make ends meet because of the soaring cost of fuel, insurance, and the continuing economic downturn.
The Watford Hackney Carriage Drivers Association blames much of its members’ ills on a decision by the council in 2006 to scrap its limit on licences – a decision that sparked a big increase in drivers looking for business.
The association, which last year lobbied successfully for the scrapping of the town’s distinctive black and white taxi livery, now says the time has come to re-impose a limit on numbers, allowing a smaller pool of drivers to make a better living.
Such a reduction, it adds, would also improve chronic traffic congestion at various hot-spots around Watford, including Watford Junction and Clarendon Road.
In a letter to the council, association chairman Shafiq Ahmed explained: “There is an assumption that more taxis leads to a better service. We believe such assumptions disregards any proper assessment of quality… “We do not believe that Watford Council would be capping numbers for the sake of protectionism…but rather to give the best possible service to the consumer.”
For many years the council, in line with many other local authorities, limited its licences. In 2006, when delimitation occurred, just 82 Hackney carriages – which don’t require pre-booking – were in use on the town’s roads. Some 345 licenses were issued the following year. This number has since fallen (287 were on the road in March) but, say drivers, not by enough for them to make a living.
Mr Ahmed, speaking to the Watford Observer, added: “This is a really serious problem. Things are tough out there and drivers are struggling to survive – we need the council to understand that.”
Watford Borough Council, however, has long argued that a free market will regulated itself efficiently and provide a better service to customers. Ahead of a meeting of its Licensing Committee on Wednesday, June 29, it has reiterated its views and recommended to councillors that they reject a proposal re-introduce a cap on licences.
A council report to members reads: “The council does not have the power to remove or revoke existing licences in order to achieve an acceptable level, assuming an acceptable level can be agreed upon.”
The association has also requested a survey to measure the true demand for taxi services among the public. So far, however, the council has not approved such a survey.”
source:
http://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/news/
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