Taxi drivers' anger at licence plans

Taxi drivers' anger at licence plans
4:17pm Fri 18th January :: Written by Daniel Darlington
Taxi drivers have accused the royal borough of playing politics with their livelihoods after a licensing panel meeting last night.

More than 70 Hackney Carriage drivers from around the borough signed a petition urging councillors not to follow the lead of neighbouring towns like Slough and High Wycombe who have seen a rise in driver disputes and taxi rank congestion after deregulating.
But police say more licences mean more cabs and less queues to help cut booze-fuelled late night violence.

The taxi drivers' pleas was ignored at last night's meeting in Maidenhead, when councillors decided to consult on a motion to increase the number of Hackney licences in the borough rather than opting to carry out a survey of licences as the
drivers had hoped.

Spokesman for the Hackney Carriages Association in Maidenhead, Nadeem Sabir argued more taxis will mean that current Hackney licensees will be forced to work longer hours to earn a living and added: "Deregulation without carrying out a public survey is scandalous."

The borough's licensing officers will now consult on deregulation with Hackney Carriages, private hire firms and commercial businesses who have a direct connection with the trade.