Take a registered Gloucester taxi - or your life in your hands, warn cabbies
ILLEGAL cabs cruising for business in Eastgate Street are taking money out of the pockets of hard-working drivers – according to one of Gloucester's largest taxi firms.
The practice of unauthorised pick-ups from the heart of Gloucester's clubland has led bosses at Andy Cars to demand council action is taken before someone gets hurt.
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UNHAPPY: Taxi driver John Taylor fears for the safety of people using illegal cabs.
Unregulated drivers are accused of parking on double yellow lines and pavements along Eastgate Street, causing obstructions for pedestrians and adding to problems for police and club security staff.
John Taylor, who has been driving for Andy Cars for 10 years, says the problem has got steadily worse.
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"People picking up illegal taxis in Eastgate Street late on a weekend really are taking their lives into their own hands. These taxis are completely unregulated and they have no idea who the driver is. There is no comeback if something goes wrong.
"It's only a matter of time before someone gets killed or seriously injured. Not all of these cars are registered or licensed to pick up off the street. They are breaking the law.
"It is costing our drivers money who are losing out on business. There needs to be better regulation and spot checks by the police and the council.
"A pedestrianisation of Eastgate Street would go someway to sorting the problem."
Andy Cars takes pre-booked orders, but the firm is also licensed to pick up fares from the street.
Taxi drivers are represented on the nightsafe partnership forum (made up of businesses, police and councillors) by union representative Paul Hopkins.
Discussions have taken place within the group to move the existing taxi rank from outside Liquid nightclub and takeaways to help diffuse potential trouble spots in the area and help marshalls to monitor queues.
Jennie Dallimore, cabinet member for communities and neighbourhoods, said: "The taxi rank position, currently directly outside Liquid, is now under review with a possible re-siting to GL1, where taxis can come in and out of the area easily.
"That would mean no traffic other than emergency vehicles would need to use Eastgate Street on a weekend evening."
Comments
by cab498
Monday, October 15 2012, 6:07PM
“The solution is freedom. By abolishing the taxi regulations entirely, and allowing freedom in the taxi industry, these so called "illegal" cabs would be able to get the proper insurance, etc. A free market will take care of dangerous drivers, and badly maintained vehicles. (For example, a dangerous driver would have his insurance contract cancelled by the insurance company. And the cab companies themselves have a vested interest in making sure vehicles are safe and operating properly, since the cab company itself pays for repairs.) My company, http://tinyurl.com/9hy3fmz operates in the largest free market in taxis in the world, Phoenix Arizona, a city about ten times the size of Gloucester. Our system allows anyone who wants to drive a cab to purchase the proper insurance, and set up his own company. There are no limits on the amounts you can charge, or the number of taxis you can field. The system works very well. The free market has established its own average rates, and companies who do not do well competing with other companies soon find themselves out of business. The customers are happier since they have wider options. The drivers are in favor of this system. And the cab company owners favor this system too. Oh, and the city government is not wasting man power and money on enforcement of foolish regulations too.”
by dcfc79
Monday, October 15 2012, 4:13PM
“im still struggling to understand why people would risk they're lives like this, only thing that spings to mind is they want to save money. Id rather have my life than save a few quid by taking a taxi thats nots from andy cabs or from Associated taxis.”
by TimMessanger
Monday, October 15 2012, 11:09AM
“bdbear and they also don't drive the wrong way down one way streets!”
by TimMessanger
Monday, October 15 2012, 10:39AM
“system64 Remember this one ? http://tinyurl.com/8nvkrpf”
by xlitho
Monday, October 15 2012, 10:29AM
“This was a problem when there was only taxis (70 vehicles) and no private hire cars.”
by bdbear
Monday, October 15 2012, 10:22AM
“Glad to hear that no driver from Andy cabs ever parks on a double yellow line ,yellow box , bus stop , no unloading zone and causing obstructions to other road users”
by system64
Monday, October 15 2012, 10:16AM
“Wasn't this a problem a year or so ago? Have the council still done nothing to resolve the problem?
One good thing to remember however is if you realize they are illegal whilst already en-route. Get them to drop you off far enough away from home and just walk off without paying.
It does however need to be tackled as the "actual" drivers are loosing money and your life is more at risk.”