Had the below sent in for our June issue and wondered what your thoughts are in regards to the points raised ?
Illegal to pull into rank and ask where people are going
In response to letters from Taxi Driver, Cheetham Hill no way does Manchester need more cabs. All we need is or the taxi drivers to do the job they promised when they were given a free Hackney plate – to work Manchester including working weekend nights.
I worked Manchester black cabs for 12 years, I am now on private hire. Far too many taxis pull on to ranks at weekends and ask where the passenger is going. This is illegal.
Why ask where passengers are going before refusing them? Its got nothing to do with the person, it’s the distance they are going and the drivers wants a bigger fare.
My daughter is a legal secretary and has been refused a cab because the driver does not want to go to Moston.
Drivers should take the next job on the rank no matter where it is going unless they have a legal reason to refuse,ie. The passenger is too drunk, behaves aggressively or cant prove they have money.
Passengers cannot do a runner from a black cab because the doors are locked whilst in motion or the driver has his foot on the break.
The sooner the council get off their backsides and stand on every rank for a couple of weekends, the sooner the problem will be over.
Stuart McGowan, Crumpsall
RESPONSE
I agree that Manchester does not need any more cabs and I agree that taxi drivers should do the job that is asked of them.
But, not all hackney have been given a free plate. And its not illegal to ask a passenger where they are going. I think it is essential to find out where a passenger is going! If your correspondent is experienced, he knows that there are areas that are dangerous to drive to.
Driver safety has nothing to do with bigger fares. You say that passengers cannot do a ‘runner’ from a black cab. I can tell you that when a passenger cannot get out because of a problem, they start to damage the inside of the taxi and you are forced to let them go.
As for the council getting off their backsides as you say, rank marshals are now provided and things are improving all the time.
My last point is that drivers are constantly abused and intimidated. In the same of the M.E.N in which the letter appeared, it was reported that two private hire drivers were attacked, beaten and robbed. On the same day also a private hire driver in Sheffield was killed. Try telling their families that they should not have questioned the passengers.
We all send our condolences to the Sheffield driver’s family and a get well soon message to the attacked drivers.
In the taxi trade we will never please everyone, but we try hard. So let’s stop fighting each other.
Your friends in the Trade,
Manchester