Cabbies' fury as fares dive at start of Central Gateway revamp work Taxi drivers fear proposals for a new pedestrianised square could compound problems caused by Sunday's blocking of the Central Station portico Diners and drinkers could soon enjoy cafe culture near Newcastle’s Diamond Strip if council plans for a new pedestrianised square go ahead.
At the eastern end of the multi-million pound Central Gateway scheme, Westgate Road could be rerouted and narrowed, with an area next to the George Stephenson memorial blocked off to create a wide plaza.
But taxi drivers fear the proposals could compound problems caused by Sunday’s blocking of the Central Station portico. The cabbies say that such is the “chaos” caused by the closure – and loss of more than 75% of the station’s Hackney Carriage spaces – some may withhold their next parking permit payments in protest, potentially costing rail operator East Coast up to £110,000.
Alan Gales, one of the three drivers elected to represent the 213 station-based drivers, said train bosses did not seem to care about the cabbies – or the £446,000-a-year they pay to pick up passengers.
“At York station they have 150 taxis, 150 spaces for them, and permits cost £1,260. In Newcastle it’s £2,030, there’s nearly 220 cars and now just four station spaces. I think a lot of drivers are very reluctant to pay their next quarterly permit payment of £507.50, which is due on July 16.”
Speaking to The Chronicle, many black cab owners said that since the building’s historic portico was closed off on Sunday morning passenger numbers have halved, leaving some drivers waiting over an hour for a fare, facing the prospect of earning £12 for half a day’s work.
Others say they are hounded by traffic wardens, as with so few parking spaces on the new station rank – which they pay more than £2,000 each a year to use – they struggle to find anywhere to wait their turn.
“My takings are down by more than 50% since the weekend,” said 54-year-old Steve Shoulder. “In half a day I made just £16 – It’s a complete and utter joke.” Sid Hussain, 45, from West Denton, agreed – “In three hours yesterday morning I had one fare and made £11.40.”
But a spokesman for East Coast rejected calls to offer a discount to drivers, saying permits cost “the market rate” and when the Gateway project is complete it will mean more passengers and more fares.
“Newcastle Central Station has the largest footfall of all 12 East Coast managed stations along our route. Other stations we manage, including York, Darlington and Durham, all have their permit prices set in line with size and footfall.”
The spokesman also said East Coast was working with Newcastle City Council to try and arrange for taxis to be able to park for more of the day on the southern part of Orchard Street, near the Telegraph pub, to prevent a repeat of yesterday, when drivers had to park two abreast in the nearby tunnel.
source:
http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/nor ... rt-4065854
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