Taxi driver numbers are capped
NORTH East Lincolnshire Council has agreed to put a cap on the number of Hackney taxi drivers following an investigation.
A meeting room packed with taxi drivers at Grimsby Town Hall heard the number will be held at 235. It followed arguments from the Hackney Carriage Association that too many new drivers were signing up.
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Taxi drivers Richard Puckett, left, and Paul Bolder, who have mixed feelings about the council cap on taxi rank numbers.
As reported, the council and the Hackney Carriage Association agreed to split the cost of the £15,000 investigation into whether there was any need for more drivers.
Since 2004, North East Lincolnshire Council has fallen in with national guidance to de-restrict the number of drivers who could get licences in the borough.
Taxi drivers Richard Puckett, left, and Paul Bolder who have mixed feelings about the council cap on taxi rank numbers.
Halcrow Group conducted the independent survey which included rank observations, 1,018 interviews with the public; as well as taking in the opinions of the tourism industry, police and disability officials about the roles of taxis in the community.
The Community Protection Committee, which had to decide if it should restrict the number of drivers, heard there was no unmet demand for taxis.
Reaction - and the latest on the row over whether or not drivers should be allowed to wear football shirts, in today's Grimsby Telegraph.
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by wayne, grimsby
Friday, March 19 2010, 7:37AM
“the problem with taxi numbers is that there are too many oaps that dont want or dont know when to retire you also have ppl who own their own businesses and do taxi work as a sideline (just for pure greed )or ppl who do taxi work as a second job THAT is why there are too many taxis sat around waiting for work if it was left to us full time taxi drivers who TRY REALLY HARD just to scratch a living then we would all be happy as the lack of work makes taxi drivers less likely to want to smile (min at the bus stop ) so as well as capping the amount of drivers we should have a capping of the age and work status of the ppl who drive taxis too”
by Andrew, Grimsby
Wednesday, March 17 2010, 3:00PM
“Indeed arthur please forgive my spelling and indeed lack of punctuation, as both are difficult when using a mobile phone. But in answer to your question whether they are allowed to trade plates or not, They do and many, including mr atkinson were less than impressed when the plate they had which was worth 20 thousand prior to de regulation was suddenly only worth the 60 quid the council charges. So while this was partly about income being affected by numbers and lack of parking control and proper regulation it was as much about people getting their retirement nest egg back”
by Arthur, Immingham
Wednesday, March 17 2010, 1:34PM
“To defend taxi drivers, it has to be said they rarely race away at green traffic lights, though they equally rarely stop for red traffic ones.
In the interest of economy (and to reduce carbon emissions), they don't often drive above 56mph. They do, of course, infrequently travel below 56mph, either, having achieved 'cruising speed'. It's probably for this reason they have little time for road signs, other road users, pedestrian, dogs (small or large), horses or good manners.”
by Neil, Cleethorpes
Wednesday, March 17 2010, 1:26PM
“Goddit ! How do you differentiate between the teams if they are all wearing an England shirt?”
by Neil, Cleethorpes
Wednesday, March 17 2010, 1:23PM
“They could even wear different football shirts. You could cheer on the team you support. I am sure there is a flaw in this argument somewhere....”