Taxi Driver Online

Cabbies boycott rank at station

TAXI drivers yesterday began a boycott of the taxi rank out-side Coventry's railway station. Cabbies started the protest after failing to reach an agreement with Virgin Trains, which operates the station's franchise.

The dispute centres over Virgin's plans to reduce the number of black cabs allowed to use the rank to 200 instead of the current 230. Members of the Coventry Taxi Association want to be able to distribute the permits while Virgin bosses are insisting on a first-come, first-served basis.

Cabbies are also angry because the train operator is proposing to raise the cost of the licence by £30 to £260 a year. And, after a meeting on Monday, members agreed to an indefinite boycott of the station's 12-space rank. Vice-chairman Pat Royle said: "The drivers are so angry. We give a good service and Virgin then turn around and do this to us."

The boycott does not mean travellers will be stranded. Black cabs will still be using the nearby city council-owned taxi rank in Eaton Road.

A Virgin Trains spokesman said the company was "disap-pointed" with the boycott decision. He said: "We can only issue 200 permits because that is simply the capacity of the rank. We believe it is a fair way of doing it, giving everyone an opportunity to apply for a licence at Coventry station."

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IDFIMH

I know I'm being a tad bit cynical, but I bet you a pound to a penny that this boycott is all about who divvies out the permits, rather than the increase.

Clearly another case of some taxi folk not liking the idea of first come first served.

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IDFIMH

thats the bit they dont like losing all there power.
same as doewn here. now everyone can have a permit.
whether your in the gang or not.
best thing is though the station put the prices up. but havent banked any of the cheques.
one of the lads has about £30,000 worth of cheques.

this is what happens when you have a "free for all" situation, now if Coventry was restricted, then none of this bother need happen.

Explain this one to me I fail to see the connection?

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All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others.
George Orwell, "Animal Farm"

Makes no sense at all that one.

Maybe you think the Watford way was a success for the cab trade.

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IDFIMH

Err, isn't it the end of a 'free for all' scenario that's causing the problem?

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Taxi Driver Online
www.taxi-driver.co.uk

so basically because its deregged, anyone who wants a plate can have one, but they wont be able to work the station, but if i remember rightly rank space is not a concern for you and the OFT is it?

But is it right that the unions decide who gets the permits?

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IDFIMH

Taxi drivers fight on

TAXI DRIVERS boycotting a rank outside Coventry railway station say they won't give in. Hundreds of taxi drivers have been protesting this week over proposed changes to the rank, which is operated by Virgin Trains.

The boycott - which has been organised by members of the Coventry Taxi Association - started on Tuesday morning.Pat Royle, the association's vice-chairman, said city drivers were determined not to give in on the issue.

He said: "We are giving Virgin Trains a service and yet we have to pay them to give them that service. "The boycott is going brilliantly. Everybody is sticking to their guns and no one is going near the station rank.

"We have had enough of being browbeaten by Virgin. This sends out a clear message that we are not just here to be used. "We have had it. We are providing a good service and want to be recognised for that."

A spokesman for Virgin Trains said the planned changes would make the way permits were distributed "fair".

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IDFIMH

As I said, it's all about a few so-called leaders keeping their little fiefdoms.

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IDFIMH

Last year I was stuck at Coventry waiting for a connection.

Wondered outside and there were 87 taxis queued up everywhere around the station, blocking footpaths and road access.

They looked a bloody mess. Almost intimidating having that number of guys stood around staring at everything that moved.

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A member of the Hire or Reward Industry

I think the union has it spot on, ideally Virgin should issue a permit to everyone, however their will be people who do not want station permits, or dont deserve them.

Ultimatley these guys could lose out as Virgin may well bring the PH in, and thats another ball game

But are you saying the union is better placed to decide who gets a permit and who doesn't?

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IDFIMH

Yes, just think another skank to take money off your fellow taxi drivers, my bet is the taxi firm or association can make 10 to 20 quid per permit, commonly know as "administration handling fee" [you only pay it once a year, it covers our costs and you can claim it against your tax]
wev'e got the same type o wa*kers down or is it up here