Crewe and Nantwich taxi drivers face ruin in market saturation
Mar 17 2010 by Will Harris, Crewe Cronicle
ANGRY taxi drivers say they’re on the road to ruin because there are too many cabbies chasing too few fares.
The Crewe and Nantwich Taxi Association says its members are struggling to make ends meet as Cheshire East continues to dish out Hackney Carriage plates, even though “the area is massively over-supplied”.
Drivers say there are simply too many taxis in Crewe and Nantwich. Between them, the towns currently have nearly 150 licensed drivers – about the same as Stoke but with a third of the population.
Association chairman Wilf Harding said: “We’re being sold out by the council who just see us as a cash cow.
“The current regulations state that if you turn up with a disabled access vehicle you can have a Hackney Carriage plate. There’s more and more taxis coming through but only six rank spaces in Crewe, and a part-time rank in Nantwich that operates at night.
“This area is massively over-supplied and we’re all struggling as a result.”
The taxi drivers want Cheshire East to stop issuing licences until surveys and investigations can be carried out.
“Most of the drivers here are doing a 70-hour week just to make ends meet. I know two or three who have gone bankrupt.
“At the moment we’re complaining, not demonstrating. Not yet anyway. But if the council doesn’t listen, we’ll be forced to take more direct action.”
DRIVERS claim the problems are spilling into their home lives.
One driver, who did not wish to be named, said: “It’s not uncommon to wait for two-and-a-half hours and earn a £3.60 fare.
“We’re having to work more hours and stay out longer for less money, but we’ve got mouths to feed and mortgages to pay.
” A lot of marriages are on the ropes as well. I’d never argued with my missus before, but it seems like that’s all we’ve done this year.”
Crewe and Nantwich MP Edward Timpson met the taxi drivers on Monday and promised he would do all he could to resolve the issue.
He said: “I have a meeting with the council on Friday to discuss the way forward.
“We need to make sure there is proper provision that meets the demand and needs of the local population.
“It’s an issue that needs to be looked at very carefully and it’s important we get enough feedback from these guys to get it right.”
No-one at Cheshire East was available for comment.
{ 0 comments… add one now }