Taxi Driver Online

Typically daft use of terminology here - the article pronounces that the council have confirmed that the 'taxis' that are allowed to use the bus lane are in fact only hackney carriages (who knew? Obviously everyone in the Derby trade, by the sounds of it...). It then says the driver has been driving 'taxis' for 25, years, and that the restriction is costing 'taxi drivers' money


Taxi drivers furious over 'ridiculous' and 'unfair' Derby bus lane

https://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/news/d ... us-9802424

But Derby City Council has defended its decision not to allow private hire vehicles to use Corporation Street

Angry taxi drivers say a Derby city centre bus lane is "ridiculous" and "unfair" and claim it is costing them their livelihoods. Lee Roach and Adnan Khan have criticised the bus gate restriction on Corporation Street amid concerns they are getting stuck in “unnecessary queues” because of it and are losing customers.

The road between Derby Council House and the Assembly Rooms can only be used by buses, taxis, cyclists and pedestrians between 7am and 7pm. Cameras and signs are in place to warn motorists near the road.

The signs state that “taxis” are allowed to use the road between 7am and 7pm however, it has now been confirmed by Derby City Council this only applies to licensed Hackney hire vehicles and not for private hire taxis. It means drivers of private hire vehicles, such as Uber, can’t use the road and, like other motorists, could be fined if caught.

The bus lane restriction at Corporation Street has made headlines since enforcement came into force in 2021. Last year the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) reported Derby City Council had raised £1.7 million in just over a year from the CCTV-monitored bus lane.

Mr Roach says he has been a taxi driver for 25 years and believes the restriction is causing him and other cab drivers problems. The 52-year-old said: “The restriction affects taxi drivers’ big time.

"The Assembly Rooms and Quad are the major dropping off points in Derby for private hire vehicles and if we get a job, for example, at the Morledge we now have to go the long way round (rather than simply travelling down the road) and have to use more fuel.

“When this happens at 5pm each night, it is so frustrating. It’s just ridiculous.”

Mr Khan, who has been a taxi driver for two years, added: "The bus lane on Corporation Street is worse than a nightmare. How is it fair?

"As a taxi driver I am licensed by Derby City Council for a private hire vehicle. I am doing exactly the same job as a driver of a Hackney vehicle (yellow cab) but apparently the rules are different and I can't use the road."

Several drivers have recently complained about the situation, meaning their union representatives at GMB are now involved. Craig Thomson, GMB union officer, said it is hoped a meeting can take place with the city council in the near future about these concerns.

He said: “While the council has been tallying up millions of pounds from fines, private hire drivers have been stuck in unnecessary queues, and forced to drive additional miles to make a living.

“Restrictions placed on the movement of private hire vehicles must be reconsidered to help get Derby moving again. Not only do these restrictions appear completely unnecessary, they are causing a drain on the private hire economy."

But Derby City Council says allowing private hire vehicles to use bus lanes could negate the benefits of them.

A spokesperson for the authority said: “Like many cities, Derby has a number of parking and travel restrictions in place in the city centre. The scheme on Corporation Street reduces traffic at a busy point allowing buses to be punctual and more reliable, which in turn encourages sustainable travel and creates a better experience for pedestrians.

“Hackney Carriages meet the legal definition of a taxi as they are subject to stricter licensing requirements, including vehicle specifications such as wheelchair accessibility, driver training, and fare regulations. As such, they are permitted to use some of the bus lanes (including Corporation Street) as part of the city’s integrated public transport system.

“Hackney Carriages differ from private hire vehicles, which must be booked in advance and can be confused with other cars. If private hire vehicles were allowed into the bus lanes, the sheer volume of these vehicles could negate the benefits for buses and potentially create congestion in bus lanes.”

Someone trying to be clever with the apostrophe there. And getting it catastrophically wrong

(It's a 'plural possessive' apostrophe, correct me if I'm wrong Trouble is, it shouldn't be a possessive 'Big time' in the sense used here is an adverb, not a noun )


Careful use of terminology by the council there. Trouble is, as per many local authorities (the vast majority in England, I'd guess), on their licensing pages they use the t-word to mean either/or:

https://www.derby.gov.uk/licensing/taxis/