Cabbies threaten stations blockade

Apr 15 2008 by Neil Mckay, The Journal

TAXI drivers across the region have threatened to blockade East Coast Main Line railway stations if negotiations over rents break down.

The threat, which could lead to commuter chaos at Newcastle, Durham and Darlington main line stations, was made after rail operator National Express tried to increase the rent cabbies pay to use station ranks.

Before National Express took over the East Coast Main Line, franchise taxi firms paid previous operator, GNER, to use the ranks outside the three stations and others further south.

Now National Express is in discussions with taxi operators about a proposed increase of up to 50% which taxi bosses say would put some of their members out of business.

The angry cabbies have threatened to cause a blockade if National Express insist on the higher rents, which are in the region of over £500 per year per taxi.

One Durham driver said: “The rent increases proposed by National Express would put some drivers out of business. Members are prepared to blockade the main line stations if they don’t relent.

“They wanted to put the rents up to an extent where a lot of drivers would be put out of business. We are prepared to stage a blockade if necessary.

“There is a lot of strong feeling about this. The drivers are of the opinion that National Express have only just taken over the franchise from GNER earlier this year and we are not happy that they are proposing a rent increase almost straight away.”

But Peter MacTaggart, of the Newcastle Hackney Drivers Association (NHDA), stressed that negotiations were still ongoing with National Express, and any blockades of railway stations would be “a last resort”.

A National Express spokesman confirmed that talks were taking place over proposed rents to taxi drivers to work from the rank in front of East Coast Main Line stations.

He added: “While negotiations are under way we would not be prepared to comment further.”

Earlier this month dozens of Tyneside taxi drivers drove 65 miles in convoy to Berwick to draw attention to a row over cut-price licences.

Drivers in Newcastle say Berwick District Council is issuing plates to cabbies who have no intention of working in the border town and are instead plying their trade in the city.