taxi dispute in Watford
Posted by Claire Ward, MP for Watford, at 09:18, Mon 9 March 2009:
Press release from Claire Ward MP for Watford
For immediate release
March 9th 2009
(pictures available on request)
MP says taxi war must stop
Watford's MP, Claire Ward, has condemned councillors on the town's Licensing committee for the "haphazard way" that they have introduced the de-regulation of the taxi trade over the last five years.
She said: " It's been a real free- for all resulting in a series of disputes involving hackney cabs and private hire companies which have alienated not only the drivers themselves but also the travelling public. This constant warfare is giving Watford a very bad image and it cannot be allowed to continue"
Her comments come after the MP met with representative of the Hackney Cabs Association following a protest march through the town last week by more than 200 drivers who say the council's heavy-handed approach is threatening their livlihood. Also present at the meeting were two West Watford Labour councillors, Nigel Bell and Tanveer Taj.
The MP went on: "It's time the Mayor and her fellow councillors sorted these problems out once and for all. It is in their hands. This is not an argument about Government regulations. It is up to local councils how they regulate taxi services within their boundaries.
"From the beginning it has been a series of confrontations and legal arguments which have cost local ratepayers hundreds of thousands of pounds. It's obvious to everyone that there is now an oversupply of licensed cabs and not enough stands for them all.
"From what I've been told it's a question of fairness and equal opportunities for all drivers. The decision to allow private hire drivers from Three Rivers to apply for a Watford hackney cab licence without first passing the knowledge test and complying with other regulations seems to be utter madness to me. How safe are the general public going to feel when they get in a taxi and the driver asked them for instructions on how to get to their destination?"
The MP says Cllrs Bell and Taj will be lobbying the council on her behalf . She will now write to the Mayor on three key issues:
1: That she suspend the issuing of all further licenses until a survey is carried to access the number of taxis that can legitimately be supported in a town the size of Watford.
2: That the requirements to obtain a Watford license apply equally across the board to all drivers who apply either inside or outside the borough.
3: That the council indentify more areas where taxis can park while Waiting for fares.
The MP says that if is the Mayor's view that hackney cabs should drive around the town playing for hire then there needs to be more money spent on promoting this fact. At the moment, she says, most people are unaware that they can hail a taxi as they do in London and other cities.
Ends
Note: For an interview with Claire telephone her Parliamentary office on 020 7219 4910 or contact her press officer on 01923 676446 mobile 07905761956
Comments
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Posted by Joan Appleton, 10:20, Mon 9 March 2009: (Is this post abusive?) #
Lets keep the Hackneys', I say. Having had a bad experience of the private hires, it is a very important area for concern. Joan Appleton
Posted by Jane Slatter Soroptimist International, 17:52, Wed 11 March 2009: (Is this post abusive?) #
We need local drivers - some of the drivers from outside the area haven't a clue where they are going. It's not fair on the old established reliable firms and drivers like they have at "Allied Taxis" who I've used for years. Jane Slatter
Posted by Ben Glancy, 22:43, Thu 21 May 2009: (Is this post abusive?) #
The prices of cabs are ridiculous as well. Why do I pay £7 pound to go fron town centre to pretty much the town centre.