York taxi drivers split over ownership and renting of hackney licence plates
9:40am Wednesday 30th June 2010
A group of taxi drivers has broken ranks with fellow cabbies in a landmark dispute that could cost dozens of people tens of thousands of pounds in investments.
A bitter row has erupted among cabbies in York over the ownership and renting of hackney plates – vehicle licences which are required for any vehicle plying for hire.
The number of plates is capped by City of York Council at 177 and there is a long waiting list, meaning a lucrative market has developed in which plate-holders sell them on for as much as £60,000 or hire them out to other drivers.
Previous moves to remove the cap on plate numbers prompted an angry backlash from some drivers who had paid large sums for them and who feared their investments would become worthless overnight.
A meeting will now be held at the city’s Guildhall on Friday, in an attempt to settle the matter.
The Press understands one of the four breakaway drivers, who rents a plate from its registered licensee, will argue that he is its rightful owner.
If he wins his case, the existing complex rules around plate ownership could be overhauled, potentially leaving some licensees hugely out of pocket.
The latest debate has divided the trade and when contacted by The Press, the vast majority of drivers were unwilling to go on the record.
One who did speak, York Hackney Carriage Association secretary Stuart Robertson, said: “The general feeling is against the attempt by these drivers to claim these plates.”
Another York driver, who wished to remain anonymous, said the four drivers were being snubbed by some fellow cabbies.
“Most drivers think it’s out of hand to claim these plates,” he said. “But others think that over the years they have paid thousands to the owners, so they have a right to claim them.
“Some taxi drivers are worried the council might look at de-regulation which would be terrible for the city.”
Coun Ian Gillies, who will chair Friday’s meeting of the council’s licensing and regulatory committee, said: “This is very important – it will be a test case.
“Regulations say the plate goes with the vehicle and there is confusion over who owns them. It’s a free market once they have been issued.”
Grey area over plate ownership
According to council rules, plates must be physically attached to a car belonging to the registered plate owner.
Selling a plate on is permitted, but confusion arises when a plate-holder rents it out to a driver who puts the plate on his or her own car.
Drivers have got round this before by transferring the vehicle to the plate owner, and producing a bill of sale, but the breakaway drivers are arguing that they are the rightful plate owner.
The row has sparked debate on the drivers’ website taxi-driver.co.uk. One driver said York was now rare in allowing drivers to rent plates from registered plate-holders.
Source; yorkpress.co.uk
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