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Bus stop ban bad for trade
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Author:  captain cab [ Thu Jan 12, 2012 8:48 am ]
Post subject:  Bus stop ban bad for trade
Local Paper is ignorant of difference between taxis and private hire shocker


Bus stop ban bad for trade


A taxi firm owner is calling on Kirklees Council to change its policy of fining all drivers caught parking at bus stops.


Dewsbury Cars boss Naseem Nazir said taxis were a form of public transport and should be exempt from the ban.

Mr Nazir said: “Being a private hire firm, we’re in public service like the buses. I understand they’re recognised by the government, but why not taxis?

“When there are pensioners or mums with young kids I tell my drivers to go out and help with their bags, but if we can’t park near enough to where they want we’ve got a problem. For some customers to walk even five yards is a struggle.”

He said most customers were unhappy if a driver told them they could not make a drop-off where asked, especially if the meter then ticked over.

In May, Kirklees Council introduced an enforcement van kitted out with CCTV to catch drivers breaking parking rules.

The council said there had been a vast improvement in the way drivers parked as a result.

But Mr Nazir, 39, said it had added to his drivers’ woes with two from the Halifax Road firm fined in recent weeks.

“The van automatically takes a photo if there’s anyone in a bus stop and they get a fine, but sometimes there is nowhere to pick up apart from the bus stop,” he said. “One example is next to Val’s cafe where that’s the safest point because we’re out of the way.”

A council spokesman said using bus stops for pick-ups obstructed buses and other traffic, and made it unsafe for bus passengers who had to get off in the road as a result.

He said: “It should also be remembered that, in addition to the ranks provided, taxis are allowed to stop on single and double yellow lines and in car parks and pay and display areas when dropping off or picking up.”

http://www.mirfieldreporter.co.uk/news/local/bus_stop_ban_bad_for_trade_1_4117577
Author:  Sussex [ Thu Jan 12, 2012 8:56 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Bus stop ban bad for trade
Be interested to see all those traffic orders prohibiting PH from picking and dropping off in bus stops.

IMO it's perfectly legal to drop off and load in a bus stop.
Author:  captain cab [ Thu Jan 12, 2012 9:01 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Bus stop ban bad for trade
Sussex wrote:
Be interested to see all those traffic orders prohibiting PH from picking and dropping off in bus stops.

IMO it's perfectly legal to drop off and load in a bus stop.



yeah I agree. wasnt there a court case last year about something similar?

CC
Author:  Sussex [ Thu Jan 12, 2012 9:03 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Bus stop ban bad for trade
captain cab wrote:
yeah I agree. wasnt there a court case last year about something similar?

Indeed, it was one of those beastly London PH dropping off in a bus lane.
Author:  edders23 [ Thu Jan 12, 2012 2:00 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Bus stop ban bad for trade
My understanding is that Niether Hackney or PH can drop off or pick up at a bus stop although I'm sure we all do it
Author:  Nidge2 [ Thu Jan 12, 2012 3:10 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Bus stop ban bad for trade
edders23 wrote:
My understanding is that Niether Hackney or PH can drop off or pick up at a bus stop although I'm sure we all do it



As long as you don't park within the BUS STOP markings your OK.
Author:  Sussex [ Thu Jan 12, 2012 6:43 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Bus stop ban bad for trade
edders23 wrote:
My understanding is that Niether Hackney or PH can drop off or pick up at a bus stop although I'm sure we all do it

You can.
Author:  Chris the Fish [ Thu Jan 12, 2012 9:32 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Bus stop ban bad for trade
Sussex wrote:
edders23 wrote:
My understanding is that Niether Hackney or PH can drop off or pick up at a bus stop although I'm sure we all do it

You can.

A Taxi can stop on a Bus Stop to load or unload passengers. Private Hire may not.

SI 3113 of 2002, Regulation 29, Schedule 19, Para 4 (d)

Quote "(d)a taxi which is stationary only for so long as may be reasonably necessary for a passenger to board or alight and to load or unload any luggage of the passenger;" End Quote.

I do lots of wheelchair work - my regular passengers know and apprecite my preference for boarding and alighting them at Bus Stops. A local traffic Cop also now knows the relevant SI after he threatened me with a ticket. :roll:
Author:  Sussex [ Thu Jan 12, 2012 10:03 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Bus stop ban bad for trade
Chris the Fish wrote:
A Taxi can stop on a Bus Stop to load or unload passengers. Private Hire may not.

I disagree.

It all depends on how the traffic order is worded, and under what legislation it was made. Especially in areas that have de-criminalised enforcement.

And the reasonableness of prosecution was clarified in the London PH bus lane decision.
Author:  Chris the Fish [ Thu Jan 12, 2012 10:25 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Bus stop ban bad for trade
Sussex wrote:
Chris the Fish wrote:
A Taxi can stop on a Bus Stop to load or unload passengers. Private Hire may not.

I disagree.

It all depends on how the traffic order is worded, and under what legislation it was made. Especially in areas that have de-criminalised enforcement.

And the reasonableness of prosecution was clarified in the London PH bus lane decision.


A Bus Lane is one thing - a Bus Stop is another.

In areas that have de-criminalised it is still criminal to park on a Taxi Rank, Taxis are of course "Ranking" not "Parking". Park a Taxi on a Taxi Rank, ie leave the vehicle unattended and it is an offence and in fact a criminal offence.

I resubmit that the SI is clear about "Bus Stops".

We will have to agree to disagree I think.
Author:  Sussex [ Fri Jan 13, 2012 9:27 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Bus stop ban bad for trade
Chris the Fish wrote:
A Bus Lane is one thing - a Bus Stop is another.

I know.

The point about the London case wasn't just where the offence took place, but the fairness of taking action against someone who temporarily stops where they shouldn't.

Be in no doubt that reasoning would apply to bus stops.
Author:  Chris the Fish [ Fri Jan 13, 2012 12:26 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Bus stop ban bad for trade
I would suggest that the whole of SI 3113 of 2002, Regulation 29, Schedule 19 makes it abundantly clear that no vehicle, save those exempted within the regulation itself may stop on a Bus Stop.

A Taxi is exempted at 4(d).

A Private Hire vehicle, and a private car for that matter, are not given that, or indeed any, exemption.

I suppose only a Court Case, directly relevant to the discussion, would resolve our difference on this. But thats OK, that is exactly what a Forum is all about.
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