Taxi Driver Online

While since I've read a station access article, but this one is fairly typical of the genre

Not sure what the point is of the two very similar photos, but the one at the bottom is higher-res, for what it's worth


Cabbies hit out at Bournemouth Railway Station over taxi rank proposal

https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/ ... k-proposal


Image: Bournemouth Echo

INDEPENDENT cabbies are calling out Bournemouth Railway Station over reported proposals to lease its rank to a large taxi firm.

Around 100 Hackney drivers, part of the Bournemouth taxi rank association, have signed a petition to South Western Railway against the reported changes.

Ahmed Mohamed, representing the association, said a proposal has been made to lease the taxi rank outside the train station to United Taxis.

He said the rank is not just a location, but Hackney drivers’ livelihood.

“For nearly six decades, more than 70 independent taxi drivers have relied on this rank to support their families, pay bills, and provide a vital transport service to the public,” said Ahmed.

“Many of us have worked here for over 15 years, building trust with passengers and faithfully serving the community.

“Any lease to United Taxis would jeopardise decades of dedicated work and threaten the survival of drivers who rely exclusively on this station.”

Ahmed added that displacing the 100 independent drivers from the station rank would also cause congestion in the town centre where there is a shortage of taxi ranks.

He has called out to South Western Railway for its ‘lack of consultation and transparency with those who it would effect the most’.

“Excluding drivers from the process raises serious concerns about transparency and fair decision-making.”

Ahmed said most Hackney drivers have worked from the station rank for decades and have built a relationship with their customers.

“Restricting access would create severe financial hardship for families who depend on this rank.”

Ahmed added: “This issue is not solely about business, it concerns the survival of families who have devoted their working lives to this station, as well as the interests of passengers who depend on reliable and fairly priced taxi services.

“We therefore urge South Western Railway to engage directly and transparently with the drivers currently using this rank before any decisions are made regarding United Taxis’ proposal.”

One driver, who did not wish to be named, said: “For many Hackney drivers, taxi ranks are not just a convenience but their livelihood, the equivalent of an office desk or shopfront.

“Losing access to the station puts their jobs, families, and futures at risk.”

South Western Railway were contacted for a comment but did not respond by time of publication.

https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/resou ... s/19949976

Quite a few comments critical of the station drivers - this one seems to encapsulate a lot of the criticisms made:

They'll get more of the same just with a different name on the door

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

I wonder if the number of taxis allowed to ply there is limited or a closed shop.

Which would make more sense the firm taking it over.

But looking at that rank, I wonder if there is room to place the rank, or a new council-appointed rank quite near.

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IDFIMH