Taxi Driver Online

South Wales Evening Post

August 20, 2007 Monday

Cabbies hope for licence support

Swansea cab drivers were today hoping for a boost to their call for numbers to be limited.

The people behind the wheel of the London-style cabs, which can be hailed on the street, want the council to restrict licences to protect their livelihood.

Last spring their demand, put forward by the Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers, found its way on the council agenda.

And this afternoon the authority's environment scrutiny board was set to take on the task of carrying out a full survey.

Consultation ahead of a final decision would take place with police, who have already come out against the idea, along with all Hackney carriage proprietors and disabled groups.

There are 307 Hackney proprietors operating 373 cabs within the city limits - and that, according to the union, was overkill.

It blamed deregulation, and with around 400 private hire vehicle licences, it meant Swansea was served by nearly 800 taxis.

"Rather than demand outstripping supply, supply is outstripping demand.

"This has devastating effects on the livelihoods and working conditions of Hackney carriage vehicle drivers," it said.

"The current situation is creating a great financial burden as drivers struggle to work shifts up to 16 hours long simply to make ends meet."

And long shifts and not enough money to maintain vehicles causes potential danger to drivers, passengers and pedestrians, it is claimed.

"Tired drivers are dangerous drivers and any situation where drivers are forced to work when tired is a recipe for disaster," said the union.

Both Swansea Access for Everyone and Swansea Disability Forum, though, have come out against a limitation on the number of licences.

South Wales Police agreed, saying: "Taxi queues can be flashpoints for crime and disorder and the ready availability of transport, particularly in the city centre, helps to ensure that people are taken away."

Council officials said limiting licences could be seen as an unacceptable form of protectionism for the trade at the expense of the best service for the travelling public.

And they suggested that market forces should determine the number of licences an area could sustain.

But councillors were expected to sanction the survey before a ruling is delivered on the idea.
______________________