TAXI WARS - Cabbie hurt in station crash 'may never return to work'AN OXFORD cabbie hit by an 'out-of-town' taxi may never return to work, his son fears, as the city council revealed its frustrations over 'illegal' pick ups.
Zamir Akhtar, a taxi driver in the city for more than 30 years, is still in hospital with three fractures to his skull after being hit by a taxi at the rank at Oxford train station on Sunday morning.
The collision left the 68-year-old in hospital and involved three taxis, which - as they were not Hackney Carriages licensed by Oxford City Council - should not have been waiting at the station.
Mr Akhtar's son Wasim, 32, said the driver of a taxi waiting at the station drove into the vehicle in front following a conversation with a Great Western Railway official, causing his own car to mount the pavement and hit his dad.
He added that none of the vehicles belonged to his father, who had walked over from his black cab to talk to the drivers.
He said: "He was knocked over and hit his head on the pavement, right on his temple, and was unconscious for about five minutes - he doesn't remember anything at all.
"He has three fractures to his face and will need to stay in the trauma unit for a few more days now.
"I'm not sure whether he will able to return to work."
He added: "Obviously there is an issue with taxis not properly licensed but this highlights the issue of reckless driving."
British Transport Police said it was investigating the circumstances surrounding the collision.
Earlier this week the City of Oxford Licensed Taxicab Association warned revellers over the Christmas and New Year period to steer clear of 'out-of-town' taxis as they were not allowed to pick up passengers from ranks or anywhere in the city without a booking.
Secretary Sajad Khan warned passengers would not be insured if they got into these vehicles without booking.
As the taxi war intensified yesterday Oxford City Council said it was 'frustrated' with the situation and that it could not take action against vehicles licensed outside the city.
Colin Cook, chairman of the council's hackney carriages and private hire licensing sub-committee, called for members of the public to report those breaching the rules immediately.
He said: "This is a national problem affecting many cities.
"Frustratingly, only the local authority that licensed the vehicle can take action against these out-of-town drivers.
“Therefore, we encourage people to use London-style taxis or private hire vehicles that are licensed by Oxford City Council.
“If you get into a private hire vehicle that you haven’t pre-booked you are not covered by the driver’s insurance and the driver is breaching their licence conditions, please take note of their licence number and the local authority that issued the plate."
He urged people to contact Oxford City Council by phone or by emailing
licensing@oxford.gov.uk http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/149823 ... work__39_/
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