Chaos fear at cabbies’ ‘night off’ TAXI drivers throughout the county borough are set to go on a “collective night off” on Bank Holiday Sunday – leaving thousands of party-goers stranded in busy town centres.
Hundreds of Hackney Carriage drivers, who have gained the support of the RCT Taxi Drivers Association, say Rhondda, Pontypridd, and Aberdare will descend into “chaos” on May 6 when they plan on a two-hour exodus between midnight and 2am – the height of their demand.
The group are hoping to stage the “drive-off” in protest against the lack of taxi rank spaces, the increase in plates being issued in the region and their very limited access through the towns at peak times of the day.
And protesters have threatened to pick a random Saturday night later this year to launch strike action. With buses and trains stopping their services before midnight, revellers rely heavily on taxis to take them home in the early hours. But with the majority of Hackney Carriage employees making the bold decision to drive home instead of picking up passengers, there are concerns about escalating violence levels as people try to find an alternative form of transport.
A spokesman for RCT Taxi Drivers Association said: “We will support the action, as taxi drivers have simply had enough.
“We have been hitting a brick wall with the council for many years and nothing has been done to help our situation.
“There are around 380 taxis and only 50-odd rank spaces, so we end up parking in loading bays and other places we shouldn’t be.
“And we need a cap on the plates being issued. We are the dumping ground for Cardiff, who have more stringent rules on licences. We have too many taxis and nowhere to put them.
“We had problems with ranks before the regeneration of Pontypridd, and now it’s even worse.
“The taxi drivers know there will be chaos over bank holiday.
“Many taxi drivers will simply drop passengers off then go home.”
Only Hackney Carriages, who pay a licence fee to RCT Council, are legally allowed to pick up passengers who flag them down in the region.
RCT Taxi Association say it would be “illegal” for extra taxis to be drafted in from neighbouring Cardiff or Bridgend county boroughs to cope with the demand.
A South Wales Police spokesman, who could not comment on the actions of the drivers, said: “Taxi companies provide an essential service for people travelling to and from busy town centres, especially at night and in the early hours.
“Without this service, members of the public are advised to consider if and how they are affected and to make appropriate and safe alternative arrangements, especially for getting home.
“People who do make arrangements for lifts home are urged to ensure they are doing so with official and regulated taxi companies. Late night revellers are also urged to resist impromptu offers of lifts home from anyone they do not know well.”
This is not the first time taxi drivers in RCT have staged protests. In June 2010, cabbies turned the centre of Pontypridd into a rolling protest for an hour by driving around at just 5mph.
A Rhondda Cynon Taf Council spokeswoman said: “The final plan for Pontypridd, at the conclusion of all works, will see taxi drivers maintain use of the ranks outside the Co-Operative, which they always have had.
“Information on such short-term issues is being communicated to town centre stakeholders, including taxi drivers – and the council’s commitment to respond to feedback accordingly.
“Those who feel they do not have the information they need to respond to short-term changes are urged to make contact.
“The final vision is for Pontypridd and Aberdare town centres to be major destinations with vibrant day-time and night-time environments, attracting many visitors.
“This success relies upon a robust transport infrastructure, including the effective use of taxis.
“As such, it is vital communication and partnership working with the trade continues.”
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