Chester Taxi driver face licensing chaos

Feb 27 2009 by Barry Ellams, Chester Chronicle

CHESTER Hackney Carriage Association campaigned against lifting the restrictions asking for a survey, paid for by the drivers which analyses demand, to be carried out and held several protests in the city.

Chairman Richard Barker said: “It’s madness – standards are already falling.

“One driver has been repossessed and another has traded in a brand new cab and bought a 20-year-old one because he’s worried he won’t be able to keep up with the payments.

“Drivers are working longer hours to make up the money they’re losing so there’s a public safety issue as well because if you’re working longer you will be more tired.

“All the ranks are over-crowded because there are fewer jobs and more drivers.

“It is a ridiculous situation.

“It’s what we predicted in the first place and the council made a politically motivated decision and ignored the evidence.

“The council has disregarded its duty of care to the drivers, they don’t care about our businesses.

“A new cab costs at least £30,000 and that is a big investment,

“They estimated there would only be about 10 more cabs.

“A third of those that have moved across are private hire drivers, that’s not a problem, there’s no animosity, some have bought second cabs and two are new drivers.”