Great Western Coffee Shop

Drivers' strike threat

Taxi drivers in Slough have threatened to strike over ^scandalous^ increases to the price they pay to park outside the town^s railway station.

The chairman of the Slough Taxi Federation says the annual cost of hiring five spaces for the firm^s 100 taxis has ballooned from ^8,000 to ^86,000.

Paramjit Badial said the new charge imposed by First Great Western (FGW) could not be justified by the amount of trade generated by the rank, as business had been declining for the past five to six years.

He said: ^If we have to strike, we will strike. The people who use our taxis to get home or get to work, these are the people who are going to suffer.

^We provide a service to people in Slough, and this is the treatment we^re getting from a company that^s worth millions.

^All they^re providing us with is five taxi spaces. They^re trying to break us up, but we^re looking to protect the welfare of Slough taxi drivers.^

He said the firm^s self-employed drivers would struggle to pay their share of the new fee, which has gone up from ^70 to ^667.67 excluding VAT.

He added: ^Insurance has gone up 50-60%, fuel prices have gone up, and on top of that we^re getting squeezed with this. It^s scandalous to increase the rent by this much.^

Mr Badial said the federation was willing to negotiate with FGW, and had paid for its permits at the lower rate until March 25.

Dan Payne, spokesman for FGW, said charges for taxi permits were being standardised, as they were previously negotiated on an ^ad hoc, station by station^ basis.

He said: ^Our issue is that they (Slough taxis) might not have been paying enough in the first place.

^There is a market rate for that kind of permit. Let^s not forget the huge amount of business those spaces would bring.^

Mr Payne said permits for FGW-controlled taxi ranks would all be charged at the higher rate on renewal of the permits.

FGW awarded a three-year contract to Cabfind in June to provide its taxi management services.

A spokeswoman for Cabfind refused to comment.

Taxi drivers operating at Weston-super-Mare train station say they may stop running taxis from the destination in the future after their licence fee was doubled.

First Great Western used to grant the permits to self-employed drivers wanting to pick up passengers from the town centre station at a cost of ^300 a year.

However, from this month the licences will be granted by Cabfind, a supplier of taxi management services, which has stated the fee will rise to ^600 a year.

Drivers at Weston station are outraged at the massive hike and are refusing to pay the amount saying it is far too expensive, particularly with the majority of passengers walking to town instead of using taxis.

They have held talks with Cabfind, who said it was prepared to drop the figure to ^480 but said all drivers must may the amount in full by February 28.

Richard Hopkins, 40, a taxi driver of 12 years, who has operated from Weston railway station for the past three years, says it is unfair and the drivers are not prepared to pay the huge fee. He said: "Up until now First Great Western have issued the licences but Cabfind take over at the end of the month. They are coming in and putting up the licence fee by 100 per cent, which is doubling it from ^300 to ^600. The firm says the reason for the hike is because they base the licence fee on footfall of passengers departing at Weston but they cannot go on that.

"Most people leave the station on foot as we are only five minutes' walk to the town centre and the beach. I have spoken to all the other drivers and they are not willing to pay ^600. Cabfind has since said it will give us a discount of 20 per cent bringing it down to ^480 but this is on the basis of us renewing our licence by the end of the month but this is still too much. At the end of the day we are in a recession and we should be getting a discount if anything.

"If drivers are not prepared to pay it, passengers may find no taxis waiting at Weston station. One of the longest serving drivers at the station, of 25 years, says he will not bother at that sort of price."

Mr Hopkins said drivers are also angered by the news Cabfind has awarded a contract to Apple Cars to transport passengers elsewhere in the event of trains stopping, which is a service they have always provided.

He added: "We were under the impression we would still get the work if a train stopped working or there were delays and passengers needed transporting to Bristol Temple Meads by taxi, but we have now heard that has been given to Apple. We may as well go and work from another rank for free."

The Evening Post contacted Cabfind but they declined the opportunity to comment.

Taxi drivers who pick up passengers at Bristol Temple Meads railway station are to be asked to pay for a permit.

Drivers will have to pay an annual fee of about ^300 a year so they can drive to the front of the station.

Pat Jones, from the Bristol Taxi Association, said drivers had not paid fees at the station since 1974.

Dan Panes from First Great Western said the plan for a fee, which is already in place at Bristol Parkway and Bath Spa, is at an early stage. Mr Panes said the plan would help to cut down congestion on the station approach, which is owned by First, and make the relationship between the firm and the taxis formal.

"Throughout our network, all stations with taxi ranks outside generally have a system in place where we allow taxis to come in and pick up - and they pay for that privilege. What happens at the moment is station managers tend to negotiate these on a local basis and that means we get wildly different price ranges. And we've got no contractual obligations in there either on our part or the taxi drivers' part."

Ms Jones said many big stations, such as in London, do not employ a permit system and that introducing one would lead to problems for passengers waiting for taxis.

"If you limit the number of taxis picking up then you're going to go back to a system where people wait and excessive amount of time for taxis."

Councillor Gary Hopkins said he wanted to make sure the fee charged by First Great Western was not "over the top"

"At the moment there isn't a good facility there and it does lead to congestion, so we're trying to negotiate with the company to make certain that they get a smaller fee and a better facility."

I'd suggest that congestion on the Temple Meads approach is rarely, if ever, caused by taxis. It is the inconsiderate motorists who MUST wait for, or drop off their loved ones, right outside the main entrance to the station or in the bay reserved for the Airport Link bus.

Charge them ^300.

Taxi drivers have staged a protest over plans to charge for a permit to allow them to pick up passengers at Bristol Temple Meads railway station

Drivers will have to pay an annual fee of about ^300 a year so they can drive to the front of the station.

They burned the permit applications they had been sent by First outside the station.

First said the front of the station was congested and that charging for permits was normal at other stations.

"At the end of the day we've got to look after our customers and we think this will give them a better experience at our station," a spokesman said.

The Bristol Taxi Association, said drivers had not paid fees at the station since 1974.

"We firmly believe this is just a money revenue-raising exercise by First", said driver Tim Lloyd.

i agree BNM.  IIUIC the signal box (Bristol Panel?) blocking the entrance to the old station will be redundant in the not too far distant future.  It would be nice to knock that down and redevelop the space. perhaps also an opportunity to add another East-facing platform or two (personally, I'd love to see local trams using the old station).

i agree BNM.  IIUIC the signal box (Bristol Panel?) blocking the entrance to the old station will be redundant in the not too far distant future.  It would be nice to knock that down and redevelop the space. perhaps also an opportunity to add another East-facing platform or two (personally, I'd love to see local trams using the old station).

I agree Chris.. This isn't a problem at Slough though  :) Well not at the taxi rank anyhow  ;D which is what I have experienced

Taxi permit scheme at Bristol Temple Meads is postponed

A scheme designed to cut congestion at the taxi rank at Bristol Temple Meads railway station has been postponed to allow drivers more time to sign up.

The permit system by First Great Western (FGW) means taxi drivers will have to pay ^375 per year to use the railway station as a base.

The National Taxi Association (NTA) in Bristol objected but dropped its opposition after taking legal advice.

Now the dispute has been resolved, FGW has postponed the scheme until 1 March.

FGW, which owns the land at the front of the station, said the scheme would ease congestion, and that charging for permits was normal at other stations.

Part of the money raised from the permits will be used to improve the access and exit points on to the A4 from Station Approach.

Taxi drivers using the approach road to Bristol Temple Meads railway station will have to pay to pick up passengers.

First Great Western said the ^375 permit was needed because the front of the station was congested and charging was normal at other stations.

The National Taxi Association in Bristol (NTAB) challenged this but Bristol Civil Justice Centre ruled in favour of the rail operator.

No-one from NTAB was available to comment on the ruling.

Kevin Bartlett from First Great Western said: "We are pleased the court has clarified the policy of the permit scheme in place at Bristol Temple Meads and our motives for bringing it in.

"We look forward to putting the legal dispute behind us and to start working with the Bristol branch of the National Taxi Association, taxi drivers and other key stakeholders to improve the station environment for both our customers and taxi drivers."

Previously a NTAB spokesman said the cab drivers had not paid fees at Temple Meads since 1974 and "firmly believed" the move was just a "money revenue-raising exercise".

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-22312459

I find it hard to understand the economics of the Temple Meads taxi rank; it seems to me that a lot of drivers must spend hours waiting for a fare, and supply seems to far exceed demand. Maybe this scheme will make things a bit less frenetic?

I suspect there's a degree of truth (and a degree of selective comment) on both sides.

Just because charging is "normal" at other stations doesn't mean that it has to be applied at every station.  I could apply FGW's argument back to them and say that it's normal to provide peak hour trains and services throughout the day to and from large towns they serve, and so they should provide such services to my home town in the interest of normallity ... which they don't do.

But on the other hand, it's more that just a money-raising exercise ... it's an exercise that raises money while looking to address an issue that probably does need addressing ...

Who pays the 375 pounds in the end?   Is there a supplement on station pickup fares for taxis?   

Side question:  Is a fee payable to use the rank at Chippenham?

I suppose it is a question as to what FGW provide for the ^375 pa.

I think they're selling the same thing you buy when you pay the London Congestion Charge...

No contest indeed, BNM. I have to be very drunk before I would hail a cab home rather than walk, but only rather drunk to choose a bus.

Drunk or sober I ain't bleddy walking the 7 miles from Temple Meads to El Dub!

Skint, then maybe....

Later trains to Shirehampton will do. Don't mind the walk from there to my gaff.  ;)

It's probably easier to drop people in the Temple Quay complex - it's secure as you can see the person you've dropped right up to the station entrance, and so long as you don't need to get out yourself, a lot quicker in and out.

The car park taht side seems to be controlled by video cameras with APNR, and the signs suggest that I will be billed if I cross the line, even for the briefest of moments. If I'm wrong about that, someone please tell me!

You're wrong about that: it's ANPR - Automatic Number Plate Recognition (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automatic_number_plate_recognition).  ;D

Side question:  Is a fee payable to use the rank at Chippenham?

Bristol cab businesses' costly defeat over annual Temple Meads Station charge

Taxi drivers who objected to paying a ^375 annual charge to use the ranks at Temple Meads Station have suffered a costly defeat in their legal challenge to the move.

City cabbies Patricia Jones and Mourad Tighilt led the legal challenge against train operator First Great Western, which holds the lease on the station and decided to introduce the charges in March 2012. But they lost the case and now face a legal bill which could run into thousands of pounds.

The pair, representing the Bristol branch of the National Taxi Association, argued the two ranks that serve the station were established by bye-law and therefore public, and that the train company had no legal right to levy charges.

But three Appeal Court judges ruled that First Great Western^s private property rights trumped taxi drivers^ demands to wait for passengers without paying a charge.

Lady Justice Arden, sitting with Lords Justice Underhill and Floyd, said the charges were proposed to start at ^375-a-year, but they were 'planned to rise'.

The ruling means First can charge cabbies whatever it likes for standing on the ranks, which cabbies fear could rise up to ^2,500.

In an additional blow to the taxi drivers, they were ordered to pay First Great Western^s substantial legal costs bills. They will have to pay interim costs of ^45,000 within the next 56 days, pending assessment of their total bill, which could be double that sum.

The taxi drivers have argued that the cost of the permits are likely to soar by as much as seven times. They argued the charges were illegal because the rank is part of the public highway and not private property.

Morad Tighilt, secretary of the Bristol Taxi Drivers^ Association, said drivers fear the cost of permits will soar because First Great Western use a formula to calculate permit costs which depended on the annual number of passengers at each station. He said the footfall was about nine million, equating to an annual permit charge of ^2,500.

Mr Tighilt said: ^Cabbies take about three or four months to earn that kind of money and they need it to pay for running their vehicles and all their overheads as well as looking after their families. This year it is ^375, but next year they will double it and it will keep going up and up.^

A First Great Western spokesperson said: ^There are 7.8 million people who go through Temple Meads every year, and the permit scheme will allow us to improve the overall station experience for all of our customers.^

That there is a 20p 'extra' for all fares from Temple Meads goes some way to cover the annual charge levied by FGW.

I just hope there isn't an ever escalating rise in that 'extra' though. With the TOC putting up the annual charge and the City Council raising the 'extra' to cover it.

That there is a 20p 'extra' for all fares from Temple Meads goes some way to cover the annual charge levied by FGW.

I just hope there isn't an ever escalating rise in that 'extra' though. With the TOC putting up the annual charge and the City Council raising the 'extra' to cover it.

I'm a bit miserly and resent the 'extra' anyway. At busy times, rather than queue for a taxi, I'll walk down to Temple Gate and hail one there! If my timing is right I'll often get the bus to Clifton Triangle and then grab a taxi there.

Here's a tip for anyone needing a taxi to/from Birmingham Airport.  Go to Birmingham International Station, use the free transfer to the Airport and avoid the charge for going on site made for dropping off.  This tip came from my taxi driver!

Anger as cabbies take over parking spaces at Temple Meads

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Taxis using parking bays at Temple Meads railway station

Parking for people picking up friends and relatives from Bristol Temple Meads station is being swamped by taxis, commuters say. The short-stay car park outside the station's main entrance is being filled up by taxis during busy periods, passengers say, leaving no space for paying customers.

Commuter Kate Beej told the Bristol Post she counted 21 blue hackney cabs parked in the short stay car park at 10.20am waiting for a space in the nearby rank, with only a few spaces left for paying customers. She said: "I took pictures of Temple Meads customer car park at 10.20am. Twenty-one taxis were parked there and no new customers were able to park. What on earth do they think they're doing? I'm pretty sure it's against regulations."

The car park allows customers 20 minutes' free parking. Taxi driver Mike Power said that does not apply to hackney cab drivers, whose permits only allow them to wait in the designated ranks.

But Mr Power, who has been working as a taxi driver in the city for 13 years, said he believed the short-stay car park was the least of the problems at the station. He said: "Of course it happens ^ but it's only for five or ten minutes a day. When big London trains come in there are always lots of taxis waiting, especially if the train is delayed by five or ten minutes, as there isn't enough space for all the taxis in the ranks so they do wait in the car park. But it soon clears. It's the least of the problems we have down here."

Colleague Ray Phillips, who has been a taxi driver in Bristol for 30 years, said: "We pay ^450 for permits to work here, but there is not enough room for all the drivers. Sometimes drivers wait in the car park but it's only ever during the busy time, from about 9.45am until 11am. There are always enough passengers for the amount of taxis waiting, so we are just trying to provide a service."

Both drivers added that there was still a problem with taxi drivers from outside of the city coming in illegally to pick up work, as previously reported by the Post.

Mr Power added: "The problem is getting worse. More and more drivers from outside Bristol are coming in, and they don't have to abide by the same rules we do. People just see a taxi sign and presume they can operate here and be flagged down but that's not the case."

Fellow driver Tim Lloyd, 53, said the problems at the station would continue to worsen if the council didn't put a cap on the number of drivers obtaining permits to operate at the station. He said: "The problem is there are far too many permits for the amount of spaces in the ranks. But everyone has paid for their permits and so wants to come at the busiest times to get the most business, which sometimes means waiting in the parking bays. Sometimes we are moved on, and of course we then abide by that. But the demand is there, so it's a case of just waiting for a couple of minutes."

A spokeswoman for Network Rail, which owns the car park, said the company was aware of the problem. She said: "We own the car park but employ a contractor to run it for us. We have terms and conditions that the taxi drivers have to sign up to when they apply for a permit to be on the premises. These terms and conditions include the fact that they are only allowed to park in the designated taxi rank area. If it is full, they have to leave the station until space becomes available in the rank. As part of our agreement with our contractor, a member of their staff is assigned to manage the taxi rank and ensure they adhere to this rule. We are aware that on occasion some taxi drivers do not and so we are working with our contractors to take action against these drivers."

But Mr Power, who has been working as a taxi driver in the city for 13 years, said he believed the short-stay car park was the least of the problems at the station. He said: "Of course it happens ^ but it's only for five or ten minutes a day. When big London trains come in there are always lots of taxis waiting, especially if the train is delayed by five or ten minutes, as there isn't enough space for all the taxis in the ranks so they do wait in the car park. But it soon clears. It's the least of the problems we have down here."

Mr Power added: "The problem is getting worse. More and more drivers from outside Bristol are coming in, and they don't have to abide by the same rules we do. People just see a taxi sign and presume they can operate here and be flagged down but that's not the case."

That's rather insidious and significantly flawed. If a booking is made with the taxi driver/company outside of the Bristol Area in advance. Then they are allowed to pick up that/those passengers. It's only the case where for example a Wiltshire Registered Taxi or Plymouth Registered Taxi where touting for casual pickups as a Hackney Carriage. i.e. Hail for a ride. Where this is not allowed. Also, if you were to board, you would not be insured in such vehicles.

Which is what he's complaining about.

If they're coming in from outside to pick up a booking, why would they be in the taxi rank? Their more likely to be waiting in the short-stay park which if they're collecting, is exactly what that park is meant for. Taxi or not.

Bristol taxi drivers prosecuted after refusing to carry blind man's guide dog

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Andrew Goddard and his guide dog Sammy were refused a lift in a taxi at Temple Meads        Barbara Evripidou BRBE20141121C-2

Two taxi drivers from Bristol have been prosecuted for refusing to allow a registered blind man to take his guide dog in their cars. Andrew Goddard, 57, of Badgers Walk, Brislington, booked a car to take him and his guide dog, Sammy, to a social event at the Louisiana pub in the city centre.

But two drivers refused to take him to the event in their private hire cars before he was eventually taken to the venue by a third driver. As a result, Mr Goddard arrived very late for the event, and both he and Sammy got soaking wet.

The incident led the city council's licensing enforcement team to prosecute the drivers for refusing to convey an assistance dog under the 2010 Equalities Act.

Mr Goddard hopes that by bringing this case to court, it will prevent other people from having to go through the same ordeal. He said: "I got Sammy in May last year, and he has given me the confidence to go out to social events on my own. I don't have any problem with my normal taxi firm, who are always happy to take my dog, and if it hadn't have been raining, I would have probably got the bus. I am pleased that both drivers were prosecuted, and I hope that by highlighting this issue other people will not have to suffer."

The first driver, Khader Ahmed Sharif Abdi admitted the charge before Bristol magistrates and was given a conditional discharge, and ordered to pay a contribution to the prosecution costs.

The second driver, Sheikh Omar Mohamed, was found guilty by Bristol magistrates and fined a total of ^340.

Assistant mayor Gus Hoyt said: "Taxis and Private Hire vehicles form an integral part of the transport system in Bristol and are often relied upon by people suffering from visual impairment. It is simply not acceptable that drivers don't comply with their legal obligations by refusing to carry assistance dogs. We are delighted that we have brought these successful convictions, and we hope it sends out a strong message that this is simply not acceptable."

Alun Gwernan-Jones, regional manager for the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association, welcomed the tough stance from the licensing department. He said: "Guide Dog owners depend on their dogs for independence, and they, and any other assistance dog users, need to have confidence that no Bristol taxis will refuse them access."

Taxi drivers at Temple Meads protest and refuse to pick passengers up after row with Network Rail

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Taxi drivers at Bristol's busiest station refused to take any fares on Monday morning over a dispute about driver numbers.

Commuters arrived at Temple Meads this morning to find few taxis were willing to pick them up at the rank outside the station.

The protest will be lasting from 8am to 11am on Monday, December 1.

It comes after an argument between the drivers and Network Rail, who issue their permits to use taxis.

Network Rail currently allow 400 drivers to use Temple Meads as a pick-up point, but there is only space on the forecourt for 46 cars. Now, Network Rail have allegedly decided to start taking away the licences of some drivers, to reduce congestion around the station.

Driver Tim Lloyd said: "Drivers pay ^450 a year to use Temple Meads station, but now we are living with the threat of going into work and having our licences taken away.

"It does get congested on the forecourt leading up to the station. The big London trains which arrive every half an hour usually work us all out, and it is coming up to the busy time of year.

"We had a meeting with Network Rail last week, and our proposal to solve the problem is to have an overflow rank slightly away from the main one, where we can park up and wait."

The overflow rank would be on the left-hand side of the station, as you drive down to the main road.

But Network Rail dismissed the proposal, and are instead reducing the number of people who can work there.

Mr Lloyd added that he apologized for any inconvenience caused to the public while the protest was being staged.