Council is killing taxi trade - Cheltenham cabbies
TAXI drivers in Cheltenham say the industry has been "brought to its knees" by a lack of support from the borough council.
Hackney carriage drivers in the town are struggling to find enough work in the recession, with many bringing in less than £30 per day.
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PLEA: Taxi driver Gary Knight says drastic action is needed to revive the trade
But they say they have been further undermined by Cheltenham Borough Council's "soft stance" towards private hire vehicles.
Throughout the rest of Gloucestershire and in other parts of the UK, it is illegal for private hire drivers to pick up customers from the street without the journey being booked beforehand.
But in Cheltenham they can do it as long as the customer approaches them first and they radio the job back to their depot.
A spokesman for the hackney carriage drivers said the system has allowed private hire vehicles to run roughshod over regulations.
Gary Knight of Springbank said: "The taxi trade in Cheltenham is on its knees, and the borough council is not doing enough to support it.
"Their soft stance towards private hire vehicles is at the crux of the problem. We've got a situation where they are loitering on the ranks and near busy areas to pick up business.
"It's illegal but enforcement in the town is almost non-existent."
He said drastic action needs to be taken by the council to revive the trade, including bringing its rules surrounding private hire fares into line with the rest of the county.
He said: "We need to educate on the point that when they get into a private hire vehicle without booking it, the journey could be uninsured. It's the customer who will suffer in the end. Sooner or later, if this carries on, there will be an accident involving an uninsured vehicle, and no-one wants that."
Dave Halladay, a taxi driver from Churchdown, said: "The problems with Cheltenham's taxi trade have been there for a long time, but the situation has been made worse by the recession.
"The council is happy to take money off hackney drivers for their license fee, but when it comes to supporting us they do nothing. It is killing the trade."
Richard Griffiths, from the council's licensing team, said: "We have received complaints about private hire drivers touting for business. This is illegal and we will take action if we see evidence that this is happening."
28 Comments
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by warmer tonic, cheltenham
Monday, September 21 2009, 6:13PM
“Could any hackney driver out there please explain to me how they pay more for there licence than a private hire driver does, I believe the cost is the same.And to expect any kind of help from the council, you must be joking, they are tied up to much with red tape helping non British drivers get licences without ever being CRB checked,safe ride home my a##.”
by Bob, cheltenham
Saturday, September 19 2009, 4:26PM
“Jobs may be kept on record but the records don't say whether the job was booked legally or not.
No extras ?? what about 1&1/2 fare for a 5/6 six seater booking ??”
by Bob, cheltenham
Saturday, September 19 2009, 4:22PM
“Is this also the same PH company who use a driver to do private hire work in a minibus after he was refused aPH License by the council ??”
by Bob, Cheltenham
Saturday, September 19 2009, 12:43PM
“Is this the same reliable private hire firm who flout regulations by using cars plated in Tewkesbury in Cheltenham and also had a diver on the books whose licence and insurance expired and carried on working for 14 months !!
Really safe and reliable eh!!”
by 727, cheltenham
Friday, September 18 2009, 9:59AM
“sorry about couple errors in previous comment, but everyone should get the idea, should be 24/7.
727 BOTH WAYS DOOR TO DOOR IS BEST.”
by 727 Private Hire, Cheltenham
Friday, September 18 2009, 9:53AM
“Have asked the Editor to print a response in editorial, however can't resist making a few points.
P/H on call 27/7 365 often when ranks are empty, usualy after xmas/races etc..
Job records kept on computer by law (not so with hackney)and this has often helped the authorities with missing persons etc.
No extras for passengers or bags or sitting in traffic.
Same rules/regs as hackney always insured and legal.
Passengers encouraged to book their return journey, save taking their chances on rank and town centre hassle at night.
Door to door both wyaS is best with 727 Private Hire.
Recently had a hackney driver approach a client who was waiting for his 'pre booked car' who said he was 727. then had to admit theft of the job when he discovered it was a 727 account customer.
We know there is a recession on and we work a bit harder, rather that whingeing to the council for protection.
DOOR TO DOOR BOTH WAYS WITH 727IS BEST.”
by Bob, cheltenham
Thursday, September 17 2009, 7:42PM
“As a public service message:
Anybody having a problem or feeling they have been overcharged by either a TAXI or a private hire vehicle MUST get at least one of the following:
driver name or number (from badge displayed in car)
Vehicle plate number (from badge displayed in windscreen or plate on the rear of car)
Vehicle registration number
In the case of overcharge, get a receipt with the driver badge number written on as well as his name.
Give the details to Council Licensing on 01242 262626 and they WILL investigate.
As a driver, it is infuriating to have a passenger get in the car and say that they were charged this/that etc, or the driver didn't know the way, or couldn't speak English !! and when you tell them who to complain to, they say they don't know who it was.
And remember, if you stumble out of Pan Pizza and it seems easier to fall into the private hire car that is sat outside with his hazards on pretending he has a booking, rather than walk to a rank, your 'safe' journey home will NOT BE INSURED !!!! If the driver has a smash, you will not be able to claim a penny !! Think about that.”
by gary knight, cheltenham
Thursday, September 17 2009, 3:49PM
“just a quick response to some of the comments here. Anthony, there is a difference between the two trades. A Hackney cab is insured to take you home when flagged down, a private hire is not, and therefore , in the case of an accident you will not be protected. Jason and others who have had " negative experiences" with Cheltenham Taxi or private hire cars complain to the council's licencesing department 01242 262626. The cost of a Taxi journey is set in stone by the council, that is why we have meters (for Hackney cars). The same cannot be said for private hire. They are allowed to charge what they like.”
by pete, CHELTENHAM
Thursday, September 17 2009, 3:44PM
“Antony a couple of mercs in Chelt and Glos out of nearly 600 taxis think about it, and over 30% of drivers have school runs in the day to make ends meet.”
by Anthony, Cheltenham
Thursday, September 17 2009, 3:21PM
“Although there is a difference between the two types of cabs, I for one don't really care ... for me I want a lift home for a decent price. As long as the car is safe (and private hire cars are no less safe, or should be no less safe than a hackney carriage because both have to be road legal etc) and the driver gets me home for a reasonable fee then I am happy. Hackney carriages do cost more, much more .... and it does not just cover the license. How many private hire Merc's and 4x4's have you seen? Not many .. yet in the rank in Gloucester and in Cheltenham are a couple of 2 year old Merc ML's and E-Classes. How can this be?? Simple .... higher fares. Merc or Mondeo, does not bother me .... but I am sure the Merc fare will be a lot more! Also, some of the houses in Chelteham & Gloucester where the owner is a Hackney Carriage driver ..... a cabbie is not a skilled profession .... and fair play to them for making a mint, but they charge far too much so my sympathy is somewhat lacking.”