Ooo, taxi wars, and propaganda wars as well - note the way the firm that now has the contract for the rank calls the previous business 'one small firm', while that business speaks of its 'vast and loyal customer base'
Very interesting, though, and it all sounds a bit messy...
And it's presumably a private hire 'rank', sort of thing. I wonder if it complies with the plying for hire case law etc
New ANPR cameras installed at Merry Hill taxi rankhttps://www.stourbridgenews.co.uk/news/ ... taxi-rank/
Image: Cllr Kash Khan/Stourbridge NewsTHE installation of Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) Cameras at a private taxi rank outside Merry Hill Shopping Centre has sparked controversy online.The cameras were installed last month at the taxi rank near the ASDA entrance to the shopping centre, as well as a sign telling drivers who are not registered with the taxi company that leases the rank they will be fined £100 for stopping there.
A councillor has said concerns were raised to him about the lack of publicity around the move after taxi drivers and a member of the public in his ward reported being stung with a fine.
Councillor for Cradley North and Wollescote, Kash Khan, said: “You won’t know you will get fined until you are already in the space, as you can’t read the sign from far away.
“It’s not been publicised, and it seems to be a bit over the top.
“People are unaware of the change and, with the enforcement over who uses the taxi rank having been more lenient in the past, it seems unfair.”
The taxi rank is currently leased out by Merry Hill to Triple 20 Taxis, who said it won the tender to use the rank in Winter 2023.
Prior to this, Waterfront Cars held the tender to use the rank. Triple 20 said Waterfront Cars were instructed by Merry Hill to vacate the rank in June 2024.
Triple 20 said it made the decision to install the cameras as a “last resort” after claiming Waterfront Cars did not vacate the rank after losing the tender.
The company said this was having a negative impact on business, and accused Waterfront Cars of being “abusive to [its] staff and obtuse to those trying to aid a resolution to the situation”.
The cameras were installed on September 8, but not switched on until September 18 to give other firms and the public “a chance to be aware of the change”, Triple 20 said.
Imran Ahmed from Triple 20 Taxis said: “We understand the impact this has on drivers of other firms and those who pick/drop family members.
“We have advised those who have contacted us to use one of the other covered entrances to the shopping centre.
“Unfortunately, the actions of one small firm have had an impact on others, but for us this was a measure of last resort.”
Mr Ahmed said the firm itself does not make any money from the fines, with this going to the company responsible for the cameras, and offered an “olive branch” to Waterfront Cars drivers to work under its brand with no charge to use to rank, which he said was refused.
However, Waterfront Cars said it “categorically denies” the allegations that its drivers were abusive to Triple 20 staff or that it failed to comply with the transfer of the rank.
Mohamad Ali from Waterfront Cars said: “Given this history, we have repeatedly requested, and are still seeking, comprehensive information regarding the tender process and how the operation of the rank was awarded to the new leaseholder.
“Our vast and loyal customer base means our vehicles are constantly dropping off and picking up passengers at various points within the shopping centre.
“This high-volume, ongoing service should be noted when considering any isolated reports of our vehicles being present near the rank.
“Waterfront Cars was fully compliant in ceasing rank operations when the management of that specific site transferred to the new leaseholder.”
He continued: “The current leaseholder claims they were ‘forced’ to implement this costly ANPR scheme due to driver behaviour.
“We believe this is a deliberate misrepresentation of the facts. The true, anti-competitive purpose of this system is to physically block rival firms, which have been pre-booked by customers, from accessing that location to pick up their passengers.”
In response, Jonathan Poole, Centre Manager of Merry Hill, said: “The taxi rank outside the Lower Mall entrance to the centre, near P6 car park, has been privately leased for many years.
“Following a fair and public tender process, which was completed in December 2024, a new taxi provider has taken over the lease.
“As a result of the change in provider, new signage and cameras were installed in this particular taxi rank in September this year to ensure clarity for those seeking a location to pick up and drop off visitors.
“The area is clearly marked as a no-parking zone, and passing vehicles are not impacted by the cameras.”
Mr Poole highlighted the “multiple other” collection and drop-off points located around the centre, including outside Eat Central, next to the Odeon Cinema and at the bus and coach park near the entrance to Primark, as well as the pull-in locations throughout the centre car parks.
Mr Ahmed said in light of the “noise online” about the changes, if a member of the public who has a wheelchair accessible vehicle and would like to use the rank space to regularly pick/drop, they can send Triple 20 an email with the image of their vehicle and the company “will ensure they can continue to use the rank without a charge”.
Image: Cllr Kash Khan/Stourbridge News
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