STOCKPORT cabbies are preparing for a David and Goliath battle with the local authority over a decision to de-regulate taxis in the borough.
The decision, which was made a fortnight ago means there is no longer a set limit on the number of Hackney cab licences being issued. It has raised fears among cabbies that it will prompt a mass influx of taxis vying for their trade - in what they already insist is a diminishing market.
The de-regulation is likely to see drivers squaring up to Stockport Council in the courts, if the latter goes ahead with its plan by removing limits on licences, which currently stands at 120. Cab drivers who have taken out large bank loans on cabs say they fear losing their vehicles and their homes, which they say are at risk if competition for trade escalates.
Steve Hulme the chairman of Stockport Owner/Drivers Association (SODA) said: "We have been speaking to our legal people and unfortunately we don’t have a choice in this eventually going to judicial review because if we don’t, we face ruin.
"De-regulation will have both a detrimental effect on drivers and on the general public. Instead, what we would like is for the council to sit down and negotiate with us and to review its decision on deregulation."
Meanwhile, taxi drivers have reacted angrily on the Stockport Express website and in our letters pages.
A driver from Romiley who was unnamed said: "I find it very hard now to earn a decent wage for myself after paying my cab rent and fuel as it is. De-regulating black cabs is forcing me to seek other employment, because it won’t be worth doing at all, and was the most ridiculous decision I have ever heard."
Another reader said: "This is a free for all now. Who’s gonna be driving these new cabs - people who don’t know the area or the customers? I for one hate getting into a cab when the person driving doesn’t have a clue, we need to keep these hard working professional drivers in their jobs."
‘Meerkat’ from Cheadle said: "As a long term cabbie and servant to the people of Stockport, I must say that all drivers are already struggling to make a wage. There are 120 cabs now, if we get the same number coming into the trade that would cut a poor wage in half; simple maths. It’s a very sad day for cab drivers and their families."
Badjobjohn from Edgeley said: "I am a Stockport black cab driver and have managed to cancel my order for a brand new TX4. Instead my old TX1 will have to be patched up for another five years as this town doesn’t warrant any more investment in this trade in the future."
The cabbies are planning to hold a protest demonstration outside the full meeting of Stockport Council being held in the town hall tomorrow evening.
The Council declined to comment.
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Showing comments 1 to 13 and replies | View All
51%er, denton (26/02/2009 at 13:35)
51%er, denton (26/02/2009 at 13:59)
51%er, denton (26/02/2009 at 18:49)
smit88888 (26/02/2009 at 20:43)
#1driver, romiley (01/03/2009 at 04:54)
#1driver, romiley (01/03/2009 at 05:05)
Gordon Jones , Stockport (01/03/2009 at 10:50)
I would like to thank Peter Divine, plus all the writer that have backed the local Cabbies, on this absolute obserd situation we find our self in,through no fault of the trade, Why the lib dems did this I suppose we will never know, but with the petitions and ever growing support,from many Councillors (You Know who You are Thankyou)and you paper, us diver have really found it hard to accept and deal with our futures, but now on Cllrs gordons announcement last Thursday eve , we now have hope again as the council will re-assess the taxi situation ,hopefully we can go from the £22k report and even get a rank up Hazel Grove where we desperatly need one, so does the general public, I have slept a lot better since cllr Gordons announcement, I must congratulate him on his and the Lib dems change of stance, this is the wrong time and we now can look forward to Consultation in a proper manner. this recession is a real bad one and hopefully we can all get through it, all we seem to hear is bad news this is for a change good news I hope, once again Thankyou All . GM
Olly R C romwell, Clown Hall (01/03/2009 at 13:29)
My question is this: How did it happen?? I mean did a Councillor suddenly leap out of bed one morning with a burning desire to paint every taxi Green?
More likely it was another hare brained scheme by pen pushers with nothing better to do. If any Councillor does wake up and wants to paint somebody’s property Pink or Orange- let them start with their own. Lets paint all Council staff & Councillors cars Pink tomorrow.
What a great idea, then we will all recognise them especially if they have big Green stripes on. Then we will all be Cleaner, Greener, Safer in our beds at night.
As for more taxis - Are you kidding?? There are about 1300 with the minicabs. They are everywhere. I suggest people go to the SMBC website and read the £23000 report and then Google Dublin Taxi.
That is de-regulation of taxis at it’s best.
James Yates, Hyde, Cheshire (01/03/2009 at 19:37)
badjobjohn, edgeley (01/03/2009 at 20:14)
SandD (02/03/2009 at 21:46)
OK. There must be one Councillor out there that would like to join one of our hard-working cabbies on a Friday or Saturday night (Yes Friday or Saturday!) and sit in the front with him to see just how the job works, or doesn't work as the case may be!
I think the only way any person can make a decision on the cab trade in Stockport is to experience it for themselves and then make their minds up!
Put yourself in the cabbies' place for just one weekend night and experience the delights of cab driving in Stockport.
Verbal abuse, sometimes physical abuse, incoherrent directions, sickness due to alcohol/drug abuse. Of course not all passengers are this way inclined (thankfully) but come see for yourselves and experience the life of a cab driver on a weekend night in sunny Stockport! That is, first of all, if you can force yourself out of your comfy armchair or local pub on your weekend nights off. Remember, a cabbie's lot requires you to work on these anti-social shifts just to make ends meet.
Rent to pay, fuel to pay, insurance to pay, tax to pay, maintenance to pay and then what's left to keep you and your family.
It will show how the job depends on luck, not experience, in determining just how much you can earn on a 12 hour shift. Yes you need experience in finding destinations but you need luck after queuing sometimes for up to an hour, or more recently, hoping to get that elusive £10 job.
While you are sat on the rank waiting for that GREAT job to come along you can pass the time away chatting to the other drivers, eating your supper 'on the hoof' or just doing the Times crossword, whatever takes your fancy, after all you are your own boss - you can do what you want. Remember self-employment is not all it's cracked up to be. No paid holidays, no sick pay, no comfortable chair at a nice desk to sit at.
STILL FANCY THE INVITATION?
Contact any Stockport Cab owner and give it a try for yourself. I'm only asking for one Friday or Saturday night (supposedly the best nights on which to earn your wages) 20 years' experience tells me different in this present climate. Then when you've done your shift and arrived home at five in the morning, don't worry, you won't have to do the same again the next night will you?!!!
AND YOU WANT TO PUT MORE CABS ON THE ROAD ? ! ! I DEFY YOU TO TELL ME THE SAME STORY AFTER YOUR ENLIGHTENING EXPERIENCE OF JUST ONE NIGHT IN THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF A STOCKPORT CAB DRIVER!!
51%er, denton (02/03/2009 at 21:57)
badjobjohn, edgeley (13/03/2009 at 20:37)