Taxi Driver Online

Taxis set to be allowed in Crawley bus lanes


TAXIS could soon be allowed to use the town's bus lanes.

West Sussex County Council leader Henry Smith hopes to see the change as soon as this spring.

The scheme would start on a trial basis but Cllr Smith wants to make it permanent.

He said: "This will help the local taxi industry in this time of recession and increase convenience for local travellers."

In a letter to Crawley Borough Council and taxi drivers' groups, Cllr Smith accepted there are difficulties to overcome before any final decision.

The letter said: "Concerns expressed by Sussex Police and Metrobus are the potential reductions in safety, journey time reliability and the confusing message this may give to other motorists who see vehicles other than buses using the lanes."

Mohammad Khan, chairman of Crawley Hackney Association, a taxi drivers' group, welcomed the plan.

He said: "We have been trying to get this for years.

"In the bus lanes we will travel more quickly, fares will cost less and I don't think it will delay buses.

"Crawley is the only town where bus lanes are for buses only. In London or Brighton you see taxis using them."

The trial is for Hackney Carriages, the cabs which wait in ranks and can be flagged down in the street.

Private hire taxis, which can only be used by advance booking, will not be allowed in bus lanes.

Derek Kiernan, vice-chairman of Crawley Licensed Cab Drivers' Association, said: "We are not pleased that they are discriminating against private hire cabs.

"We are a form of public transport as well, therefore we should be treated the same.

"At the moment we can't even go to the bus station to pick up passengers."

A Crawley Borough Council spokesman told the News private hire cabs could be included at a later stage.

He said: "The Department for Transport has to approve the trial before anything happens.

"If that goes ahead and is successful we will consider expanding it to include private hire taxis."

The trial is designed to test public support and will be reviewed after six months.

DO YOU THINK TAXIS SHOULD BE ALLOWED INTO BUS LANES? JOIN THE DEBATE BELOW.

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

What planet is this guy on ffs
Its they who decided and the quicker the better for all

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IDFIMH

If it had have been me I think I would have said "Keep them b*stards out"



CC

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

Getting PH in bus lanes is a war that can be won. All they need is the right Generals.

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IDFIMH

I need things to be simple. I've been able to drive in bus lanes for ages here and I think I can do this anywhere but obviously I can't. It's all too confusing for me

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Note to self: Just because it pops into my head does NOT mean it should come out of my mouth!!