Taxi Driver Online

Taxi wars as council tries to overturn ban on cabs at Waverley



COUNCIL leaders are on a collision course with rail bosses over a proposed taxi ban from the capital’s main railway station.


Plans to force taxis out on to the streets of the city for the first time are set to be opposed by the new city council administration.

But Network Rail, the station’s owner, insists it has no intention of backing down over plans which it claims are a security measure that will bring Waverley into line with other major stations across Britain.

The Scotsman can reveal short-term permits, which will expire in September, will be issued at the end of this month.

City transport leader Lesley Hinds said: “We are going to ask Network Rail to think again about this.

“There has to be a balance struck between security concerns and providing proper access to the station, and we don’t feel there has been. The current proposals are not acceptable.”

When the plans emerged in February, it was claimed they were part of a nationwide security clampdown in the run-up to the Olympics.

However, it later emerged that Network Rail had agreed to put off the introduction of the measures while it discussed the provision of new taxi ranks outside the station with the council.

But the council is to step up pressure on the company by calling for a rethink before any work gets under way to install bollards on the ramps leading to and from Waverley Bridge.

It is expected to point out that numerous other vehicles will continue to access the station at certain times for deliveries. Network Rail insisted it had no intention of backing down and that it was merely enforcing a UK government policy to improve security in major stations.

A spokesman said: “Waverley is the last major transport hub in Britain where taxis are still allowed inside the building. There are ongoing discussions with the council but these are over additional provision of external taxi ranks. Our plan is still to bring this in by the end of the year.”

MPs and MSPs have also attacked the proposals, which would leave commuters with a steep climb to reach the nearest rank on Waverley Bridge.

One source at the city council said there was scepticism about the need to improve security at Waverley when the present system had worked adequately for years.

He said: “It will be embarrassing for the city if people are forced to walk up the ramps to Waverley Bridge no matter how elderly or infirm they are. The new Waverley Steps have made access to Princes Street a lot easier but there is not a major rank there.”

source: http://www.scotsman.com/news/transport/ ... -1-2341658

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

Shouldn't this be in the Scottish Section.

FFS Captain, you'll upset Skull and Jasbar.

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Kind regards,

Brummie Cabbie.

Type a message, post your news,
Disagree with other members' views;
But please, do have some decorum,
When debating on the TDO Forum.

oops!

damn i must have been half asleep!

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

Has anyone asked them to produce this government policy?

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Grandad,

Euston.

London Bridge.

And to a lesser extent Brighton.

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IDFIMH

Can't that Chocolate fireguard which Masquerades as the Scottish Parliament do something about it, Maybe if they grew a set and stood up for the Stations customers it might be overturned....for feck sake, where is Taxis, PH, Mum and Dad's or even great auntie Nelly supposed to wait for five minutes to either drop off or pick up their passengers without parking illegally if they can park at all.

Security my arse, any terrorist bomber could fined a dozen ways to plant a bomb if they were so minded...so why bugger it up for all of us.

I think your favoured government at Westminster has jurisdiction here.

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http://wingsoverscotland.com/ http://www.newsnetscotland.com/

That's as maybe..but as I'm paying like all taxpayers for these Holyrood clowns I think it's well within my rights to expect them to do something useful now and again for their big fat salaries and seeing as they want extra powers then they can at least put some pressure to bear on network rail..

Having your cake and eating it Bloodnock?

It's Westminster's job. Get them to sort it out, if their not too busy fiddling their expenses or dishing out tax cuts to the disgustingly wealthy.

Or vote for independence, then we can sort it ourselves.

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http://wingsoverscotland.com/ http://www.newsnetscotland.com/

No Thanks, Like most Scot's I'll go for the real Government with real politicians, lets forget The toothless mission impossible team at INDY-PLC.

Then you'd better go cap in hand to Westminster to get this Waverley mess sorted, won't you?

Mind you, blaming Scots for Westminster's failures is par for your unionist course.

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http://wingsoverscotland.com/ http://www.newsnetscotland.com/

Network Rail have used a letter of complaint from the secretary of Central Taxis to increase the cost of permits from September too the equivilent of £5 a day, the letter of complaint was concerning the over ranking within the waverley of permit holders of which there are many of Centrals own owners who have permits, i believe more in the above price them out strategy is the main reason for the hike, the complaint is the excuse, this action will create a massive rod for Network rails back, outside the Waverley will be gridlock which could force the council to enforce a free rank within the Waverley, losing Network rail thousands of pounds in permit income, the Trade should make a stand and on the stance of customer safety, old age and disabled must also have access in and out of the waverley, Network rail rather than just collect the money made from permits should invest the money from permits into providing a professionl Taxi rank in and out of the Waverley, how they improve it from as it is, is there's and the vested interest's concern, a compromise and conclusion must be found and quickley.

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Alway's been about Tightening the Grip!

Does anyone understand the above and know what it means?

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Alway's been about Tightening the Grip!