Call for study on number of taxis
CAMPAIGNERS have hailed a minor victory in their battle to reduce the number of cabs in Sevenoaks.
The Sevenoaks Town Taxi Drivers' Association has spent nine months lobbying Sevenoaks District Council about the apparent surplus of vehicles licensed as Hackney carriages in the town.
Hackney carriages are public hire vehicles, which can be picked up by passengers without prior booking.
Up until 2008, the number of licence plates that could be issued each year was limited to 192.
In that year the limit was lifted and at the moment, 208 Hackney plates are in use by taxi drivers.
The association argues that there are too many drivers competing for customers and said that a feasibility study should have been carried out before the decision was made in 2008.
Steps towards a resolution were made at a licensing committee meeting at the Sevenoaks District Council office on Wednesday, January 26.
Councillors recommended a consultation of taxi drivers in the Sevenoaks and Swanley district to see whether such a study should take place.
If a 75 per cent majority is reached, it is likely to go ahead later this year.
Assistant secretary to the association Mike Simmonds said: "The livelihood of these men is at risk and they can't afford to maintain their taxis properly. You see them driving round with bald tyres and all sorts.
"It's a question of passenger safety."
Anthony Garnett, who manages the district council's licensing partnership, told the committee no study was carried out before because there is no need when no limit is imposed.
He added that a study would cost in the region of £10,000 to £15,000 – which the taxi drivers themselves would have to finance.
Mr Simmonds also claimed too many cabs are allowed to pick up passengers from Sevenoaks station.
Meteor Parking is in charge of handing out permits to drivers to allow them to wait at the station and in August last year announced the number of permits was capped at 110, with a view to decreasing this to 90.
Mr Simmonds added: "There are drivers up in town feeling the pinch even more. I know, I've just spent time up there.
"An average taking for ten hours' work is only £50."
Sevenoaks District Council spokesman Daniel Whitmarsh said: "The council has listened carefully to the taxi drivers' concerns and will continue to work closely with them to see if there are too many or too few Hackney Carriage vehicle licences issued within the Sevenoaks District."
Meteor was unavailable for comment.
source:
http://www.thisiskent.co.uk/where/seven ... ber-taxis/
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