Taxi Driver Online

Several previous threads on this obviously. And, correct me if I'm wrong, but don't think this article is clear enough about the fact that the *public hire* rank is now at the back of the station.

And suspect the photos are of the old rank as well. Cars are certainly old enough


Warning to taxi drivers waiting in front of Brighton station

https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/1994078 ... n-station/


Image: The Argus

TAXI drivers have been reminded not to wait in front of Brighton station after a number of complaints.

Brighton and Hove City Council sent the reminder to cabbies because a small number have been spotted waiting in Queen’s Road on zig-zags, double yellow lines and at bus stops.

People can flag down taxis in front of the station but pre-booked vehicles are meant to use the pick-up and drop-off point at the back of the station.

Drivers breaking the rules risk having their licence revoked, suspended or not renewed if they break the by-laws.

The council can also take drivers to court for breaching by-laws, resulting in fines of up to £500.

The council’s regulatory services manager Jim Whitelegg and Green councillor Steve Davis, the deputy chair of the council’s licensing committee, sent a letter to all drivers and proprietors on Tuesday 4 January.

They said: “If you are a licensed driver that is stopping at the front of Brighton station looking to be hired, then please stop this practice immediately.

“While we sympathise with the financial stress brought about by the pandemic, we cannot allow this practice to continue.

“You must abide by the rules and conditions of your licence and the legislation as set by Parliament.”

When the council’s licensing committee met on Thursday, councillors were told that the situation had improved although another complaint had been received in the past week.

Green councillor Sue Shanks said that she had approached drivers parked at the front.

She said: “I usually don’t complain but usually say, ‘excuse me, are you a bus?’ It’s good to know there is a legal basis for me reminding them.

“The taxi rank generally is working quite well at the back of the station.”

Labour councillor Carmen Appich said that she had reported issues at the front of the station in the past and had recently seen taxis dropping off passengers at bus stops there.

She said: “They’re making buses late in the pouring rain, splashing passengers, causing a nuisance, then waiting and picking up other passengers.

“If you’re a passenger on the bus, you’re not going to make the bus even later and take a photograph of that and email it in and complain.

“You’re just going to get on the bus and mutter about it and get on with your life.”

Cllr Appich said that bus drivers should be encouraged to report taxis waiting in the wrong place.

Green councillor Lizzie Deane said that she had received repeated complaints from a resident who was concerned that taxi drivers were dropping people off in Guildford Road, outside their house, causing a nuisance.

Cllr Deane, who chairs the licensing committee, asked officials to look into the complaint.


Image: The Argus

The rank at the front worked well for punters and drivers, however too many idiot drivers over ranked every evening and knackered the traffic.

Ten years of warnings went unheeded so the rank was moved to the rear of the station, which isn't good for punters or drivers.

As one would expect in this trade a few drivers have tried to take advantage by sitting at the front and taking work from those that pay for their permits.

But it's ones or twos a few times a week, despite what those ill-informed councillors would have you believe.

Since the rank went around to the back there have been no traffic blockages down to the taxi trade. So everyone is happy apart from punters and drivers.

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IDFIMH