Taxi Driver Online

Almost didn't read this because the headline looked a bit, you know...

But it actually covers a lot of the local issues in St As that one day I'll write a book-length document on

(And which the whole world will then just ignore )

So, as per usual, where to start with this? In fact, probably better just to say nothing, as opposed to spending hours wading through it all


More taxi ranks for East Lothian towns

https://www.midlothianview.com/news/mor ... thian-town

More taxi ranks will be set up in towns and housing areas across East Lothian.

The Council’s Licensing Sub Committee welcomed a request from a taxi operators fo more stances and agreed to pursue wider consultation before introducing new ranks.

Councillor Lee-Anne Menzies said that taxis offered a “lifeline” for those with mobility issues.

One problem neither the council nor police can readily solve is the misuse of existing or the new ranks by ordinary motorists as parking spaces.

A police officer told the committee meeting in Haddington that the force recognised the need fo more taxi ranks and supported the paper.

Licensing officers with the council pointed out that the council’s parking attendants have no powers to issue Fixed Penalty Notices to motorists who park at taxi ranks.

Police pointed out that splicing the ranks was down to hours and manpower. He added that some ranks such as one outside a chemists in Tranent could be “contentious,” as motorists could be accessing the chemist.

“It’s not great for police to be moving people on that don’t keep very well or have mobility issues,” he added.

Councillor Lee-Anne Menzies told the meeting. “I think we all forget that taxis are part of the public transport infrastructure. Certainly speaking to people in Tranent who think it is all right to park as it is just another parking. It’s not just another parking space. For people who have mobility issues taxis are a lifeline.”

The Provost, John McMillan said that he shared the view of fellow councillor and chair of the committee, Colin McGinn, the council should encourage the formation of a taxi operators association to act as a voice for the trade in the county.

He welcomed the suggestion being instigated by a taxi operator and the need for an increasing number of ranks in communities.

He added that motorists should respect ranks. “For many people who need it, a taxi is the only way they can get around and drivers should respect these stances.

“I think we should approve this for the next step of consultation.”

The committee gave unanimous backing.

Although that's one interesting thing worth mentioning. Pretty sure I've seen parking attendants at our night rank, although that was effectively just a one-off or similar gimmick, and happened back around nineteen oatcake

Problem is, they do have the powers here, but they're simply never used

And in view of the comments from police in the article, it's perhaps also worth underlining that it's still a specific criminal offence here to park on a taxi rank, as per section 21(7) of the legislation here:

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1982/45/section/21

Although maybe the 'reasonable excuse' exemption is what the police officer is alluding to with regard to one of the ranks in the article being beside a pharmacy.

Although in St As the reasonable excuse seems to include eating a kebab or ice cream, or going off on a shopping trip, or to a fancy restaurant or pub

We've got one here, which is very helpful in this regard. Like, for example, our local trade reps plonking their unplated vehicle on the rank while they're off eating in an expensive restaurant

And, of course, a lot of the drivers are just as bad as the public, leaving their HCs on the rank while they disappear to go to the lavvy, or on a shopping trip, etc

(Not that I object to drivers going to the lavvy, say, in specific circumstances when it's not problematic. Out at the station, say, when there's no train due for half and hour, say. But on our main night rank - which is the most problematic - my rule of thumb is that if you feel the need to lock your car they you shouldn't be on the rank )

Which makes no sense. Down here, tickets are issued straight away. No waiting a few minutes for the numpties to run back.

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IDFIMH

Do drivers really want more ranks, or do they want more spaces on existing ranks?

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IDFIMH