BUS LANE BULLETIN
PRIVATE HIRE DRIVERS IN READING FINALLY WIN ACCESS TO BUSY BUS LANE
Private hire drivers in Reading are celebrating after finally being given access to a busy bus lane. For years private hire and taxi drivers have been allowed to use the inbound King’s Road bus lane. But for the outbound lane on the other side of the road, private hire drivers have been excluded, with access only for buses, motorbikes, cyclists and hackney drivers.
carriage
That is set to change after years of campaigning by drivers in the town. Private hire drivers attempted to get access to the outbound King’s Road bus lane back in November 2022, but that attempt was shot down. After that decision, the drivers set up the Reading Private Hire Asso- ciation (RPHA) to advocate for drivers and continue to push for access to the bus lane. At a recent council meeting, it was decided that Reading private hire drivers should finally be given access. Kamran Saddiq (pictured), chairman of the RPHA, had also complained that out-of-town drivers, with licences from other authorities as far away as Fareham, the New Forest and Portsmouth, are incorrectly using the bus lane, while Reading drivers follow the rules and stick in normal traffic lanes.
Mr Saddiq said: “We work for Reading, we represent Reading, I represent Reading, we are proud to be Reading private hire drivers.” Addressing concerns about taxis slowing down buses, Mr Saddiq suggested that ‘authorised vehicles only’ signage should be
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put up to deter rule breakers. The same sign was installed at the inbound bus lane in July 2019, which Mr Saddiq argued had curbed unauthorised access. A formal consultation was held with 849 responses received. Of those 818 (96%) supported the change, 33 objected, with three responses neither supporting nor rejecting it. John Ennis lead councillor for transport,
called Mr Saddiq’s
leadership ‘outstanding’ and said his campaign has been ‘hugely persuasive and responsible’. Cllr Ennis (Labour, Southcote) then said that private hire drivers should be given access to the outbound lane permanently. Agreeing, Cllr James Moore (Liberal Democrats, Tilehurst) said: “I’ve always found it ludicrous that one side of the road does one thing and the other side does the other.”
He added that allowing private hire drivers access would reduce fares for as well. The decision to allow private hire drivers access was unanimously agreed at the traffic management sub-committee on 6 March. Celebrating the decision, Mr
Saddiq said: “It’s fantastic, I’m really happy with the outcome consid- ering the long struggle it’s been. Bus lane access will be useful for our customers, special needs children who need to get to school, people
trying to get to the airport for their holidays and more. “We also serve people with health issues getting to the Royal Berkshire Hospital, and those with mental health issues as well. “It’s a massive relief for everyone, including myself, as the campaign has been going on for 16 months. “One of the councillors said that it’s been going on for a significant amount of time, and they don’t want to come back with the situation not being resolved later on.”
The decision means the outbound bus lane will be accessible for Reading cab and private hire drivers only. A new sign will be installed to legally enforce the rule change, with estimated costs of up to £15,000. Mr Saddiq explained: “It needs to have
funds released from
somewhere. The council staff will go back
and talk amongst
themselves about the funding. “Luckily it’s not how it’s when. “The councillors want it done as soon as possible.” Mr Saddiq now hopes that more drivers will register with Reading council to get access to the bus lane.
APRIL 2024 PHTM
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