Protest staged against 'crazy' second-hand taxis PRESSURE is mounting against 'crazy' proposals to introduce second-hand taxis in Farnborough and Aldershot.
Taxi drivers flooded to the Rushmoor Borough Council offices in Farnborough on Tuesday (April 10) to hand over petitions, letters and questionnaires, all of which object the new policy, to the council's licensing team.
Rushmoor Borough Council released a new taxi licensing policy draft in February, listing proposed changes to the policy now in place for Farnborough and Aldershot.
The possible changes include the introduction of second-hand cars to be used as taxis, to replace the current policy of only using new vehicles.
More than 70 taxi drivers travelled both towns to confront the council over the issue, using bus lanes to ensure the protest did not cause traffic chaos for other road users.
The drivers then presented Rushmoor Borough Council's licensing team with petitions containing thousands of signatures, as well as more than 100 letters, mostly written by members of the public.
Shaun Orriss, manager of A-Line Taxis, said: “The council has proposed bringing in any car of any age. It is the most ridiculous idea I have ever heard. It is crazy – I cannot get my head around it.
“It is certainly going to compromise standards, and we believe the public safety. It is a big worry.”
Mr Orriss, who is also a member of the Taxi Trade Board, said the drivers had wanted to carry out the protest peacefully.
He said: “I hope we have made an impact. We did it very peacefully, we were very careful not to make it a big militant meeting.
“We drove in the bus lane, which we are allowed to do, so we did not cause any congestion. It was just us making a point, because we have got a valid point, and I hope they listen to us."
Mr Oriss said taxi drivers pay around £30,000 for a new taxi, but said he felt they do so willingly to maintain high standards.
He added that it was not just taxi drivers who were concerned, but also members of the public.
He said: “We want the council to know it is not just us making a fuss here. It is the travelling public saying 'we do not want this'.
“Not one person has said they want this. The trade do not want it, and the customers do not want it.”
Rushmoor Borough Council has said the information and documents presented by the taxi drivers will be looked at as part of the wider consultation on the policy.
But John McNab, licensing manager for the council, remains adamant that no standards or safety will be compromised.
He said an increased number of vehicle maintenance checks will ensure the second-hand taxis are up to scratch.
He said: “It is a matter of striking the right balance. The issue is not about brand new vehicles, it is about how well the vehicles are being maintained. It is about ensuring that standard.
“The taxi trade feel that moving to a second-hand vehicle policy will allow vehicles to be or a lesser quality. I am not sure that is the case.”
Mr McNab also said if the plans were to go ahead, increased competition within the trade might bring taxi prices down for the public.
The plans to change the taxi policy are in the proposal stage and a decision is expected to be made by Rushmoor Borough Council in June or July.
source:
http://www.gethampshire.co.uk/news/s/21 ... and_taxis_
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