A group of more than fifty Brighton taxi drivers has staged a protest over a new taxi rank at Brighton railway station which they say will reduce their taxi sales earnings.
Cabbies pay £410 per year to use the rank and say they were given just one week’s notice of the change by station managers, Southern. They also claim that the temporary arrangements in place during the closure fail to provide enough spaces and are difficult to get to for elderly and disabled travellers.
Brighton Renovation Project
Southern has closed the taxi rank for at least three months as part of a £140,000 renovation project at the station. The project includes the repainting of the station canopy, which stretches across the entire front face of the building and covers the taxi rank.
A Southern spokesman stated:
“To ensure the safety of passengers, taxi drivers and workmen, the taxi drivers are required to vacate the taxi rank for the duration of the job. They have been offered an alternative site at the rear of the station where a number of parking bays have been allocated exclusively for their use.”
New Taxi Rank Unsuitable
Drivers immediately complained to Southern that the new taxi rank established by the station managers was too far to walk from the concourse for elderly or disabled passengers. They were angry that only eight spaces had been reserved for the new taxi rank and that they had been given very little notice of the closure.
Taxi drivers fear that the move will seriously affect their livelihood during the closure. They are concerned that the new taxi rank is difficult to get to for elderly and disabled passengers and those carrying heavy luggage. Cabbies say this will force these travellers to use the bus services leaving from the front of the station instead of using taxis as they normally would.
Protest Organised Online
A week after the closure, a protest was organised through the Brighton & Hove Cab Trade Forum Online. An announcement was made on the organisations website detailing the planned action.
The statement also details many of the concerns that taxi drivers have and goes on to suggest that the temporary change could be made permanent as part of long term measures being examined jointly by Southern and the local council.
More than fifty cab drivers then mounted a protest by slowly circling the station and refusing to pick up fares. The protest took place around five pm, bringing rush hour traffic chaos to the area.