Taxi Driver Online

Big story in Newcastle yesterday as an HC protest brought the city centre to a standstill and bus services were suspended etc. The Chronicle Live website has a shedload of stuff on this page, but a lot of it is related to the bus and traffic chaos, and it's got lots of photos, videos and embedded tweets etc, so not good for reproducing here:

https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/no ... c-15064630

This other page covers the main trade-related stuff, so have tried to reproduce all the relevant material below. Great and comprehensive coverage by the Chronicle though!

https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/no ... s-15066796

Why are Newcastle taxi drivers protesting? Here's what it's all about - in their own words

After drivers brought city centre roads to a standstill, Newcastle Hackney Carriage Driver Association released this statement


Image: Newcastle Chronicle

Newcastle taxi drivers brought roads to a standstill on Thursday, August 23 when they launched a protest in the city centre.

A huge amount of cars descended on the same rank between Haymarket and Eldon Square at the same time, creating serious congestion in the area.

It was organised by the newly-formed Newcastle Hackney Carriage Driver Association (NHCDA) and intended to raise awareness about a number of issues for drivers in the city.

This is an issue which looks set to run and run with the possibility of further disruption so, for full transparency, here’s why drivers say they are angry.

After the protest, the NHCDA sent a statement to ChronicleLive which we are publishing below in full.

Below that is the official response from Newcastle City Council.


Image: Newcastle Chronicle

NHCDA statement

“The Newcastle Hackney carriage Drivers Association, the main body representing the city’s hackney carriage trade, has decided to exercise the right of all hackney carriage drivers by having a Go to Work Day to highlight the difficulties of having insufficient rank spaces within the city centre.

“The hackney carriage trade has suffered serious setbacks as a direct result of Newcastle City Council removing ranks without prior consultation or involvement from drivers.

“The recent closure of the taxi rank at The Gate, in particular, has created substantial difficulties for hackney carriage vehicles to move around the city and this is further exacerbated by limited or restricted access through bus lanes and gates.

“This, together with the historic closure of ranks, has caused an accumulation of problems and the hackney carriage industry feels that essential driving routes, whilst transporting members of the public, have become complicated and with increased fares, and therefore not in the interests of public safety or convenience.

“Hackney carriage drivers are keen to address the problems of insufficient rank spaces provided by Newcastle City Council.

“The difficulties of finding spaces which are accessible to members of the public, particularly at weekends, has a direct effect on traffic congestion and traffic flow.

“This is also impacted by the numbers of private hire vehicles which illegally park up and ply for hire preventing the hackney carriage trade from legally working.

“The numbers of private hire licences issued by the Licensing Department have increased threefold in as many years due to reductions in the criteria for issuing private hire licences.

“The city centre, at weekends, is flooded with private hire drivers accepting non pre-booked work and whilst there may be difficulties managing and policing this, the hackney carriage industry firmly believe it is the responsibility of the local authority to prevent this from occurring.

“The resulting issues with traffic congestion, public safety, air quality and pollution, which are known agendas for Newcastle City Council, should be tied in with their licensing policies and practices, otherwise their members are being counter-productive.

“Whilst the hackney carriage industry recognises and welcomes Newcastle City Council’s plan to further pedestrianise the city centre and increase access to shopping, leisure and tourism, drivers want members of the public to be aware of and able to use a Black Cab as an official emblem of the city and an integral part of the city centre’s transport system.”


Image: Newcastle Chronicle

Newcastle City Council statement

Councillor Arlene Ainsley, cabinet member for transport and air quality, said: “We have been working closely with representatives from the newly formed Newcastle Hackney Drivers Association to identify new rank spaces across the city, along with improved signage.

“It is unfortunate that rather than continuing to engage with us through this new representative group they have instead resorted to an unofficial protest causing disruption to the city centre impacting on the journey of hundreds of road users.

“I recognise the Hackney carriage drivers are concerned by the number of licenses being granted to private hire operators but this has been seen in cities across the country because by law, local authorities are not able to impose a cap on the number of licences we issue.

“The council regards taxis to be an essential part of our public transport offer in the city.

“We are keen to work with the taxi trade to develop locations that work in the best interests of all road users and the city’s plans to improve air quality.

“We would encourage the association to continue to engage with us and take productive steps to improve the situation.”

I wonder if Ven was involved

or more likely sat at home watching it on TV with a few tins of cheap beer

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lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector

Nothing much here other than repeat of previous statements etc, so have just included the first few paragraphs. There's a video on the Chronicle's website showing, er, some saloon HCs driving about. Correct me if I'm wrong, but the alloys on that Skoda Superb right at the end look as if they could do with a good clean Don't think black as a colour ages too well though

Another taxi driver demonstration caused congestion in Newcastle city centre

https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/no ... d-15082085

Action by some taxi drivers is causing congestion around Haymarket bus station in Newcastle


Image: Newcastle Chronicle

Motorists in Newcastle city centre faced disruption after a second day of action by some taxi drivers.

Taxis descended on the same rank between Haymarket and Eldon Square on Tuesday, creating congestion in the area, with buses struggling to access the bus station.

The disruption follows Thursday’s widespread traffic chaos, organised by the newly-formed Newcastle Hackney Carriage Driver Association (NHCDA) which intends to raise awareness about a number of issues for drivers in the city.