COP26 Glasgow: Taxi queue chaos sees 'hundreds' of delegates 'left to fend for themselves'https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/news/196 ... hemselves/
Image: Glasgow Evening TimesTAXI queue chaos after COP26 conferences has seen "hundreds" of delegates "left to fend for themselves". Hordes of attendees were pictured in a queue close to the SEC yesterday evening as they waited for cabbies to take them back to their accommodation.
The system has been described as "shambolic" by Glasgow's Cab Section, who have called for more pop-up ranks to be installed close to the city centre venue for the duration of the climate summit.
here are currently temporary ranks in operation on Elliot Street and at Lancefield Quay.
Chairman Calum Anderson said: “What we have been seeing during COP26 is parked cars on the taxi ranks and delegates running down to the Broomielaw to get a taxi.
“There is no signage or organisation whatsoever – the delegates have been left to fend for themselves in a city they do not know."
The union claims there had been no consultation between Glasgow City Council and drivers over taxi infrastructure prior to the event.
But, council bosses say they made a number of attempts to contact Unite to discuss private white
on the lead up to COP26.
Amid the chaos, members have reported traffic wardens moving cabs away from the area each night.
Calum said: “Some of our members have told us that they went down to the SEC to pre-empt the delegates but the traffic wardens down there wouldn’t let them sit anywhere.
“The taxis have been getting moved on from the wardens when they could be picking up delegates and taking them home.
“Due to this, there is a hell of queue coming out of the event at night time, it is hard to estimate exactly how many delegates there are but I would say there are hundreds.
“They are queueing for a very long time because the area is completely gridlocked. Even taxis are having trouble getting in due to the road closures.
“The access to the site is shocking. Surely a pop-up taxi rank would be the answer to this issue? It really is not rocket science."
Meanwhile, Glasgow Taxis echoed the union's calls for more pop-up ranks and signage to be implemented in the area while bosses blasted the current system in place as "unfair" for drivers and customers.
Chairman Dougie McPherson said: "We share the huge frustrations of our members and drivers in relation to access to COP26 and specifically the intended pick-up location at Elliott Street turning into something akin to a car park for chauffeur drivers. This is not fair for us nor our customers.
"When the issue arose we immediately contacted the council who have responded quickly, reminding their enforcement teams that the east side of Elliot Street is a temporary taxi rank and to refrain from moving or enforcing taxis.
"We have also communicated that update with our full fleet and hope to see an improvement in the days ahead, especially now the world leaders have departed."
Meanwhile, detail on local transport options were given to delegates both in their welcome packs and online at the COP26 website. This would have been provided by the event organiser.
A Glasgow City Council spokesperson said: "As part of the engagement work and planning carried out by the council team working on this part of the preparations for COP26, there was direct engagement with Glasgow Taxis, and they also made a number of attempts to engage with Unite around private hire.
"In addition, the team also met with the UK Private Hire Association in terms of various other private hire services, and in addition, they also directed groups in the industry towards the Get Ready Glasgow website and suggested drivers used this for information and making inquiries."
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