Taxi drivers angry over rank changes at Nottingham Train StationCab drivers say they are not happy with the "dire" new taxi rank arrangements near Nottingham Train Station.
As of Monday, a new system was implemented, meaning the rank that had previously been on Station Street has moved to Trent Street, as part of a £1.64 million regeneration scheme.
Drivers say despite 150 of the city's 411 Hackney Carriage Licence holders being based around the station, only 32 spaces have been provided on Trent Street.
Their main concerns are that customers coming out of the station don't know where the new rank is, especially as it is not clearly signposted; that disabled and elderly passengers have to struggle for up to 300 metres to the new rank, sometimes with luggage; that unlicensed cabs are plying for trade closer to the station and that, now that traffic can enter Station Street via Trent Street, pedestrians are at risk of being hurt.
Basheer Ahmed Latif, is a former chairman of Nottingham Licensed Taxi Owners' and Drivers' Association.
The 54-year-old, who has been a cabbie for 28 years, said: "People coming out of the station don't know where we are, we're hidden away. And this is a green light for people plying illegally for hire.
"Station Street was probably the second-oldest rank in the city and was the busiest over a 24-hour period. But the council in their wisdom has taken that away and fare-paying passengers are having to walk all the way down here. It's a totally ill-thought out plan."
He added that having ranks on both sides of the road is confusing and there was no enforcement to stop private hire taxis picking up.
Mr Latif said a meeting attended by himself, four other drivers and councillors on Monday hadn't provided any solution.
Waseem Khan, a dad-of-two of Carlton, who has been driving cabs for 28 years, said: "We are out of the way and there's no signage. We are meant to be part of the transport 'hub' but how can people see us? It's ridiculous. When the bus stops, people are there, not pushed 500 yards around somewhere else."
The 46-year-old added: "I know of at least five taxi drivers in the past month who have quit because of this."
Mohammed Mahirban, 55, of Forest Fields, has been driving taxis in Nottingham for 30 years.
He said: "Can anybody see us here? The main station entrance is at the top and people are going to say 'where are the taxis?' This is absolutely a total waste of time. The council is not providing a public service.
"Now traffic can turn left [onto Station Street from Trent Street] - that's dangerous, people are just walking in front of you. I don't know what the thinking is behind it. One of these days somebody is going to get hurt."
Mr Mahirban's brother, Mansoor Ahmed, 49, has been a driver for 18 years.
He said: "It's dire. How can it just change overnight? It's shocking."
The Post is awaiting a response from Nottingham City Council.
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