Inclined to agree with the council here - he's presumably trying to avoid the tougher Southampton vehicle spec, but still wants to access the bus lanes on same terms as the local cars
Eastleigh taxi driver slams 'flawed' Southampton traffic rules
https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/264903 ... fic-rules/
Image: Jason Lewis/LDRS/Daily Echo
A taxi driver is demanding action over what he called “flawed” and “discriminatory” traffic enforcement in Southampton after receiving almost £500 in fines.
Habib Ahmadi wants the council to make immediate changes to its rules around restrictions for taxis licensed outside the city.
Mr Ahmadi, who holds a private hire vehicle licence through Eastleigh Borough Council, has received seven fines for driving in bus lanes and bus gates in Southampton.
He told the Local Democracy Reporting Service he has no intention of paying the £70 penalty charge notices.
The council’s rules allow buses, cyclists, legal e-scooters and taxis licensed by Southampton City Council to travel through limited access roads at all times of day.
Taxis not licensed by the city council can only access these roads between 7am and 9.30am and between 4pm and 6pm on weekdays.
Mr Ahmadi, 42, said this was unfair and affecting both drivers and passengers.
Image: Jason Lewis/LDRS/Daily Echo
He said: “Cross-boundary taxi drivers can legally pick up and transport passengers across Southampton.
“However, because cross-boundary taxis are banned from using local bus lanes, drivers are forced to take longer, out-of-the-way routes.
“This raises metered fares for local passengers who simply want the shortest, cheapest journey.”
The father-of-four said taxis often assisted passengers travelling to hospitals and emergency care settings and the “rigid” enforcement in locations like Portland Terrace, East Park Terrace and New Road placed “unfair” barriers on drivers.
Mr Ahmadi, who has been a taxi driver for 16 years, said: “If they are allowing us to work cross-boundary, which they are, they should know Portland Terrace is one of the busiest parts of the city.
“How can we not be allowed to pick up and drop off there?
“How can we say to passengers we’re not allowed to go there, and we have to drop them off before the cameras?”
He added: “We are being discriminated against. It is flawed and unfair.”
Mr Ahmadi said his appeals against the fines so far have been rejected.
Each penalty charge notice involves a £70 penalty, which drops to £35 if paid within 21 days.
A council spokeswoman said: “The current arrangements for taxi and private hire vehicle access to bus lanes were introduced as part of measures to improve air quality in Southampton.
“In 2019, the city faced significant air quality challenges and was required to take action to reduce emissions.
“The licensed taxi and private hire drivers in the city were required to invest in cleaner, lower-emission vehicles to meet local requirements, and the bus lane policy was introduced alongside these changes.
“To support those efforts and encourage the uptake of cleaner vehicles, access to bus lanes was aligned with Southampton’s licensing arrangements.
“We recognise that some drivers licensed by neighbouring authorities may have concerns about the current rules. However, exemptions are in place for cleaner vehicles during off-peak periods, and the council keeps its transport policies under review.”
