Taxi Driver Online

This obviously isn't good for the person involved, but this article smacks of another 'dog bites man' rather than 'man bites dog' article.

Not to mention the predictable comms blather from the council in response


Thanet: Cliftonville woman unable to get a taxi left to walk home alone in the dark

https://www.kentlive.news/news/kent-new ... xi-7304180

A nationwide shortage of drivers is causing people to be stranded

A woman from Cliftonville said she was left to walk home in the dark after not being able to book a taxi home last month. Emma, who preferred not to give her surname, was waiting outside Margate Station on June 18.

The 47-year-old had been in London with friends, but delays to trains from London Victoria meant she returned to Margate later than usual. After arriving back at the station at around 9.45pm, Emma started to ring local taxi companies to see if she could get a ride home.

The journey between the station and her house is a long 40 minute walk, which takes just five minutes at that time of night in the car. However, after ringing around five different companies, Emma soon became increasingly frustrated.

"I normally order taxis in the winter time when it's dark outside, but I was planning on being home a little earlier so I could walk home," she told KentLive. "The local companies are usually amazing and have even helped take our cats to the vets in the past!

"I tried calling them all numerous times and sometimes I'd only get a text back. I think one company responded and said they could get one there at 12.30am."

Emma said that she quickly became "scared" about the prospect of not being able to return home safely. She explained that the thought of having to walk home in the dark made her "seriously worried".

"I was scared about getting home safely," she said. "I was very seriously worried.

"It's not just me though, I'm especially concerned for younger girls as well. At that time of night, people may have been coming out of pubs or clubs and would have been drinking.

"It could lead to a lot of unpredictable behaviour on display, and it would leave anyone feeling really vulnerable."

Emma added that she was fortunate enough to be able to wake her husband up at around 11pm, who then came to get her in the rain. Although the journey took just five minutes to drive, she would have been left to walk alone for 40 minutes in the dark had her husband not been around.

"I would like to think something could be done about this, maybe there could be some kind of provision so that there is always somebody available," she added. "Maybe they don't let people book taxis quite so far in advance?

"It means they're potentially not allowing for these late night bookings that do eventually come through. But on this occasion I was well and truly caught out, I wouldn't usually be getting back that late."

'Shortage of drivers'

There is a nationwide shortage of taxi drivers after lockdowns forced cabbies to abandon the trade last year. Now firms are struggling to recruit more drivers, which is becoming even harder with the spiralling cost of fuel and running a car.

A spokesman for Thanet District Council said: "Local private hire operators are experiencing issues with recruiting suitable drivers. We do not regulate the number of private hire vehicles on the circuit and it is the local businesses that control the number of vehicles that are available at any given time.

"The safety of our residents is of utmost importance to us, and for personal safety we would always recommend planning your journey in advance. Tell someone where you are going and what time you expect to be home. If walking, stay in well-lit locations, and check bus timetables and bus stop locations in advance. If possible, pre-book a private hire vehicle, or make alternative arrangements to return home safely.

"There are licensed premises in Margate that take part in the ‘Ask Angela/Ask Andrew’ scheme, where people can ask staff for help and support if concerned. We have recently launched the Community Shield scheme, a local network of shops and businesses where people can ask for help and assistance if they are lost, a victim of crime or in need of medical assistance. The Safe Places app gives the location of nearby safe places.

"If you feel that you are in immediate danger, contact the Police by calling 999."

Margate is a fair sized town I'm surprised no taxis at the station even at that time of night

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lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector

It would appear she only tried private hire companies from the response by the Council.
May not have wanted to pay the Hackney Carriage tariff as I am sure there would have been one on the rank when a train was arriving.

And she couldn't have rung him whilst on the train so he could meet her when it arrived.

That's what most sensible people do.

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IDFIMH

Are Taxi drivers not allowed an early finish but instead made to work late just becaue the trains can't run on time just in case one small run might or might not be requested.