BUS LANE BULLETIN
BUS LANE ACCESS FOR TAXIS RAISES ITS HEAD AGAIN IN GOSPORT
Taxi firms have called for the route used by a rapid bus scheme between Fareham and Gosport to be opened up to taxi drivers. The call comes as the Bus Rapid Transit Scheme marks its first
anniversary. Last April First Bus launched the Eclipse services E1 and E2 along with the 7.4km dedicated bus lane running from Red- lands Lane in Fareham and Tichborne Way in
Gosport. Phil Cox, director of Hardway Cabs in Gosport,
told the
Portsmouth News: “Any bus lane should be for buses and taxis, and for fair play to the customer.”
LET US ALL USE BUS LANES SAY BASILDON CABBIES
Taxi and PHV drivers in Basildon want to see an end to restrictions banning them from using bus lanes. They have been cam- paigning for improved access to bus lanes in the borough. Private hire drivers risk a £60 fine if caught. Ralph Morgan, a hackney carriage driv- er, told the Basildon
Echo: “If we were all able to use Laindon Link, a short journey from the town centre to Laindon, for example, could be at least 40p cheaper. It might not sound a lot, but it would make a differ- ence to customers.” In 1986 Basildon Council changed the colour of its hackney cabs to white and
orange, and granted them access to a num- ber of bus lanes. Seven years ago Essex County Council took over the system. Dave Downton, chair- man of the Basildon Private Hire Associa- tion, added: “This has been ongoing for a long time and it’s about time it got sorted one way or another.”
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NORTH TYNESIDE DRIVERS HAIL VICTORY IN RE-THINK
Taxi drivers have wel- comed a council’s review of bus lanes following a dispute. Earlier this year driv- ers with LA Taxis were being hit with £60 fines by North Tyne- side Council for using the new Balliol Bus Link, despite a sign saying the road can be used
by
now started a review of the bus lane net- work. The review will explore how best bus lanes can be used to ensure the easy move- ment
of public buses,
cyclists and taxis. The firm’s manager Stephen McGuinness said around 30 of his drivers had been fined because the authority said the road was for the use of hackney car- riages rather than PHVs. The council insisted it was common know- ledge when signs indi- cate a taxi is permitted to use the road, it refers to hackney car- riages only. But the authority has
transport as well as supporting the needs of businesses. In the meantime, pri- vate hire drivers are allowed to use bus lanes in the borough, pending the outcome of the consultation. Cllr Frank Lott, cabinet member for economic development, told the Newcastle Chronicle: “This review will aim to provide some clarity for all road users about who is allowed to use bus lanes and who shouldn’t and enable a clear and consistent enforcement policy to be put in place.” Duane
Davidson,
supervisor with LA Taxis, said: “We will be putting forward our comments. In our view all taxi drivers should be allowed to use bus lanes, not just hackney carriages. Everyone in the taxi trade should be treated the same way. “If we are able to use the routes, it will make it quicker, easier and more cost effective for customers.” Mmmm… Hats off to North Tyneside Council for this sensible review! There are already some 64 councils that allow both hackney carriages and PHVs into the bus lanes; Birmingham is the latest to allow PHVs in - and that was to relieve traffic congestion! It’s good to talk, as BT used to say… it’s even better to listen. Let’s hope it happens - Ed.
PHVS MUST STAY OUT OF READING’S BUS LANES
Reading Councillors have voted not to per- mit PHVs in bus lanes but to ask the Depart- ment for Transport to allow the King’s Road trial to be extended. getreading reports that PHV operators have lost their battle to use bus lanes around Reading. Bus compa- nies and black cab drivers
Reading
convinced borough
councillors it would result in congestion. Members of the traffic management
sub-
committee did agree to extend the current trial allowing PHVs to use the King’s Road bus lanes. Operators of PHVs have long been push- ing for the use of bus lanes, which are restricted to buses and hackney
carriages.
NPHA member John Purvis, speaking on behalf of Reading Pri- vate Hire Association at the subcommittee
meeting last month, said he was confident bus services would not suffer. He said: “We have pro- vided proof with the King’s Road west- bound bus lane where we are aware of no concerns regarding congestion before the hackney carriage asso- ciation’s response to these consultations.” Asif Rashid, of Read- ing Taxi Association, said allowing PHVs to use bus lanes would hold up buses and hackney carriages and he called for more camera enforcement to tackle abuse of bus lanes. Reading Buses, Stew- arts Coaches, First Group, Thames Travel and Arriva also sent in objections. Cllr Ricky Duveen, Lib- eral Democrat group leader, spoke up for the private hire opera- tors. He said: “The idea taxis should be
allowed to use bus lanes
and PHVs
should not is bizarre. They are both forms of public transport and should
both be
allowed access as a level playing field for competition.” Green Party leader Cllr Rob White agreed. He said: “Many of the people who have responded to the con- sultation have an economic interest in keeping PHVs out of bus lanes. Asking your competitor what’s best for your business isn’t necessarily going to get the best answer.” However, sub-commit- tee chairman and transport boss Cllr Tony Page said: “The concerns which have been expressed by all bus operators are ones we have to take seriously.” But he said the King’s Road exper- iment
effective and believed it should continue.
PHTM JULY 2013
had been
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