Newcastle city centre may get more cabs

http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/north-east-news/todays-evening-chronicle/2008/05/14/newcastle-city-centre-may-get-more-cabs-72703-20908252/

May 14 2008 by Peter Young, Evening Chronicle

COUNCIL chiefs are considering whether to allow more black cabs in Newcastle where licences are changing hands for around £50,000.

The majority of cabbies say it’s already hard enough to make a living and are against any relaxation of the rules which limit the number of hackney carriage licences to 780.

But some drivers complain they are having to pay up to £300 a week to rent cabs off operators and want the ceiling lifted so they can apply for licences themselves.

Northumbria Police say an increase in licences would help cut disorder at some taxi ranks by reducing queuing.

However, they also warn that it could open the door to criminals gangs keen to muscle in on the taxi trade which they see as a means of laundering money.

Police officers act as taxi marshals during busy periods at weekends on three ranks, the Bigg Market, The Gate, and Times Square, which has resulted in a significant reduction in disorder, according to the Safe Newcastle partnership. A decision on whether to remove the present limit on licences will be made at a meeting of the city council regulatory sub committee. The numbers were last reviewed three years ago when councillors decided to stick with the present limit, introduced in 2000.

As well as 780 black cabs, or hackney carriages, which wait at ranks or ply for hire, there are 969 licensed private hire vehicles which must be pre-booked. There are no limits on their numbers.

The National Consumer Council is asking local authorities to remove limits claiming this would be in the interests of passengers and people wanting to enter the taxi trade.

In consultations, more than 400 licence holders objected to any increase in numbers claiming there is no unmet demand and more taxis would lead to more congestion on the ranks.

One owner driver said there has been a drop in people coming into the city centre on Fridays and Saturdays and declared: “Any increase in the number of people plying for hire would make it almost impossible for me to make a living.’’

The council also has representations from 17 drivers who rent their vehicles from proprietors and owners, and they want the restriction lifted.

They say they are having problems making a living because they have to fork out between £260 and £300 to rent their cabs and must clear this, plus fuel costs, before they make any money. They say taxi plates are changing hands for around £50,000 and accuse some multi-licence holders of exploiting the system.

The council carried out its own survey which says there is little evidence of people having to wait for taxis during the day. At night, it says, demand for taxis has fallen since 2005, and queues have shortened. “There is no need for any extra licences,’’ it says.