Taxi Driver Online

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 rank

https://www.stourbridgenews.co.uk/news/ ... taxi-rank/


Image: Cllr Kash Khan/Stourbridge News

THE 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

You mean work on their circuit for a fee - not really 'no charge to use the rank'

And high-res version of the sign if any parking aficionados feel the need to read the small print

https://www.stourbridgenews.co.uk/resou ... s/20083709

My understanding is that all cars now have a 10-minute grace time.

Thus, anyone other than the firm with the phone contract picking up a customer will be ok.

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IDFIMH

maybe a member of the public but having shelled out for the contract and cameras are they really going to allow other ph or uber to pick up there ?

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

If the punter has booked them, then they have no other choice; else they will be, in my view, breaching their licensing conditions.

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IDFIMH

Not sure if there's anything particularly new here (apart maybe from a new Facebook post from the councillor) and anyone who's read the earlier stuff might start to glaze over reading this

But suffice to say that the situation hasn't been resolved to everyone's satisfaction.

Maybe there's some illumination via the Facebook post and comments rather than the PR stuff pasted below, but I'm not going down that potential rabbit hole



Motorists face £100 fine for using Merry Hill's taxi rank as 'last resort' sees ANPR cameras installed

https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/m ... g-32672095

Dudley-based firm Triple20 Taxis won the contract to run the rank - which is on private land near the Asda fuel station - last year

Merry Hill shoppers have been warned they face a £100 for pulling up in a taxi rank after cameras were installed 'as a last resort'.

Triple20 Taxis won the contract to run the rank - which is on private land near the Asda fuel station - last year, but claim they have been 'unable to use it' due drivers from a rival firm 'refusing to leave'.

Following months of 'frustration', the firm has now had ANPR cameras installed to deter improper use, with penalties being issued to those who break the rules.

Councillor Kash Khan, who represents the Cradley and Wollescote area, took to social media to make shoppers aware of the situation.

He said: "Do not pick up or drop off at Merry Hill taxi rank. They’ve now installed ANPR cameras and if you're not registered with the official taxi operator there, you’ll receive a £100 fine through the post, even if you're just dropping off or picking up a friend or family member.

"If you're picking up or dropping off best to do at the car parks, save yourself £100."

The Lib Dem councillor said that he'd urged the shopping centre's management team to make this known.

Cllr Khan added: "Merry Hill should be making people aware about this and I'm disappointed that they haven't.

"I suggested they put it their Facebook page or on their website to let the members of public know not to drop off friend or family members at the taxi rank.

"Although it does say taxi, people have been picking up and dropping off here since Merry Hill was built."

Imran Ahmed, who runs Triple20 Taxis, told BirminghamLive he 'understood the impact' the cameras would have on people but insisted they'd been installed as a 'last resort'.

He said his firm had made 'many attempts' to resolve the situation over a 15-month period, and had placed staff on the rank on 'multiple occasions' to monitor the site but said: "Each time the member of staff received abuse."

He also said drivers from the rival firm had been told to move on by Merry Hill security but had "continued to park there".

The taxi boss said: "All this is happening whilst our hard working drivers are sitting around trying to earn a living, and we are paying a lease cost for the rank, but are not able to use it.

"After spending one year becoming totally frustrated by the driver and customer complaints, and as a measure of last resort, we commissioned a third party provider to place ANPR cameras on the site.

"These cameras and the relevant signs were installed on the 8th of September 2025 but were not turned on until the 18th of September, to allow drivers of other firms and the public to be aware of the change.

"We can categorically confirm that we are not making a single penny from this scheme.

"The scheme is there to protect the income of our existing drivers who use the rank legally and does not financially benefit us in any way.

"We understand the impact this has to drivers of other firms and those who pick/drop family members.

"We have advised those who have contacted us to use one the other covered entrances to the shopping centre.

"Any sane human would appreciate and understand the frustration of not being able to park on your own driveway for one day, but having it blocked for 15 months would lead you to take drastic action and that's unfortunately what we have been forced to do."

Imran said the firm was not in a position to cancel any existing fines, but they were able to add people to an exemption list.

He said he was "more than happy to accommodate" Blue Badge holders who wanted to continued to use the rank as a pick up and drop off point, and encouraged people to email bookings@triple20taxis.co.uk with a picture of their vehicle and Blue Badge.

Mohammed Ali from Waterfront Cars, which previously held the tender to use the rank, 'categorically denied' allegations that drivers engaged in 'abuse' directed at Triple 20 staff, or that it failed to comply with the transfer of the rank.

He continued: "We maintain a zero-tolerance policy regarding harassment or abuse, and these claims are baseless attempts to shift blame and justify a disproportionate and punitive response."

Mr Ali added: "Crucially, what the current leaseholder has done affects all licensed taxi drivers across the entire borough, as all drivers frequently rely on that area for essential drop-offs and pick-ups of passengers at Merry Hill.

"By restricting access and issuing fines indiscriminately, the new system severely disadvantages those in our community who depend on close, safe access points, particularly the elderly and disabled passengers who rely on these drop-off points for mobility and convenience.

"Waterfront Cars prioritises excellent customer service and fair operational practices, and we strongly urge the leaseholder to immediately suspend the ANPR fining system and find a more reasonable, transparent solution that serves the needs of the traveling public rather than penalising them."

Jonathan Poole, Merry Hill's centre manager, 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."

He continued: “There are multiple collection and drop-off points located around the site, including in this area of the centre, outside Eat Central, next to the Odeon Cinema, and at the bus and coach park near the entrance to Primark.

"There are also many pull-in locations near all centre entrances and throughout our car parks, which are open to all cab drivers and are not restricted.”

Do we know if they are hackneys or PHVs?

If they are PHVs, then they shouldn't be ranking anywhere.

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IDFIMH