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TAXI BOSS FIGHTS FOR BLACK CABS
12:00 - 08 February 2006
Taxi mogul John Preece, has launched a court battle against Plymouth City Council which could result in the city's black cab limit being scrapped - hitting existing Hackney drivers and bus firms.
More than 1,000 taxi drivers, plus bus bosses and the council, are anxiously awaiting the outcome of the appeal hearing at Plymouth Crown Court this week.
If Mr Preece wins, the council is likely to have to scrap its 359-limit on Hackney carriages.
Dozens of black cabs, which can sit on ranks and be flagged down, unlike private hire vehicles, could then create competition for council-owned Citybus, which the court heard fears 'revenue extraction', and Hackney drivers worried about their businesses.
Mr Preece, boss of the private hire firm Taxifast, is appealing against the council's decision to refuse him 30 hackney licences in 2003.
The council is one of only 30 per cent of local authorities still employing controls.
In court, the authority is relying on a survey carried out last year that, it claims, showed 'no significant unmet demand' for more black cabs.
The court, with a public gallery filled with Hackney and private hire trade people, heard that under the Transport Act 1985 if the council is not so satisfied it cannot refuse to grant licences.
It also heard there is a waiting list of 188 drivers wanting black cab licences.
The hearing, before Mr Recorder Jonathan Fuller QC, sitting with two magistrates, is expected to last into next week.
The respondent, Plymouth City Council, yesterday called civil engineer Paul McKee, of consultants Transport Planning (International) Ltd.
Mr McKee, questioned by the council's barrister James Findlay, outlined how TPi was paid £20,000 to carry out its survey in January and February last year, with observation of 44 Hackney ranks, for a total of 775 hours. Observers noted vehicles, customers, and waiting times.
The test for significant unmet demand is based on whether passengers have to wait for a taxi. A complicated mathematical formula is used to reveal this from survey findings.
The TPi report revealed there were excess taxis for 11.4 per cent of the time, and excess people for 4.5 per cent of the time.
Mr McKee said: "Eighty-four per cent of the time there was equilibrium - enough Hackneys for the passengers."
He said that of the 44 rank observations, 17 showed 'passenger and cab activity but no passenger delay'. Nine observations showed no passengers or cabs turned up, but at 11 ranks there were passenger delays of less than a minute, and in seven there were delays of more than a minute, the longest more than six minutes.
In addition, 1,000 on-street interviews about taxi usage were carried out in Plymouth. Of these about a quarter said delimiting would benefit them, but a similar number said it wouldn't. Also, 150 questionnaires were received from disabled people.
Plymouth Licensed Taxi Association made an application to the judge to be party to the proceedings, on Monday, but this was refused. In court, the recorder said this was because the association's arguments were contained in a letter of representation, part of the TPi survey.
The court heard Plymouth's LTA, backed by the TGWU, said that it was 'rare' for passengers to have to wait for taxis and removing the limit would be 'detrimental' for reasons including 'public safety', 'stability providing confidence', increase in part-time drivers and because business would be affected.
Letters were also received from Citybus, Plymouth City Council, users including Plymouth College of Further Education, and the police.
Stage Coach Devon perceived 'no need to increase' black cabs, Plymouth Taxis Ltd said delimiting would cause congestion, and two private hire drivers, and a 'representative', said there were enough taxis already. The hearing continues today when Mr McKee is expected to face questions from Taxifast's barrister.
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