Cabbies warn Ellesmere Port could suffer if numbers are derestricted CABBIES in Chester have warned drivers in Ellesmere Port what to expect if licence numbers are derestricted.
Numbers of hackney carriages in Chester have been derestricted since 2008, despite fierce protests from local drivers.
Now a questionnaire forming part of a Cheshire West and Chester Council consultation with cabbies and the public asks if Ellesmere Port should follow suit.
Chris Farrell, secretary of the Chester Licensed Hackney Association, said: “If they derestrict there they’ll have a fleet of cabs and they’ll be in the same state we’ve had to endure.”
Mr Farrell said there had been three repossessions of vehicles since derestriction and others had returned to driving private hire cars after struggling to make a living with the influx of more hackney cabs.
There are only 17 taxi rank spaces for the 51 hackney cabs currently operating in Ellesmere Port, and drivers suggest opening up licences to more would make the situation even less manageable.
Chairman of the association Richard Barker also warned customers in Ellesmere and Neston could face an increase in fares to Chester’s higher rates as the council bids to harmonise fares.
He also said many drivers only have ‘the knowledge’ of their own towns and cities, and plans to allow hackney cabs to travel across the borough are flawed.
He added: “I wouldn’t know anywhere in Ellesmere Port. We’ve got the knowledge of our city.
“If somebody said ‘take me to the Red Lion’ they might has well have asked me to take them to the moon.”
Mr Barker also suggested major money-spinning events such as Chester Races may attract hackney carriage drivers from Ellesmere Port, leaving people in the town without any cabs.
“That’s the point of zones, so that people in those zones are looked after,” he added.
“We say if it’s not broke, don’t fix it.”
The council have insisted that while they are looking to standardise the three different policies they inherited, no decisions have been taken and any decisions will be informed by the needs of the local area.
A Cheshire West and Chester Council spokeswoman said: “We are looking to hear from all drivers, who have each been written to individually, as part of the public consultation process.”
The questionnaire can be found online at tinyurl.com/85t9hnh and respondents can also send comments online to taxiconsultation@cheshire westandchester.gov.uk or by calling 0300 123 8
source:
http://www.ellesmereportpioneer.co.uk/
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