ANGRY taxi divers refused to take fares at Peterborough train station yesterday morning in a dispute with National Express over white shirts and the cost of permits.
More than 90 black cab drivers were believed to be involved in the impromptu action sparked by the arrival of 10 new drivers to the rank.

Emotions were already riding high after what the cabbies saw as an unfair hike in the cost of a permit and new regulations stating they must wear white shirts and would be sent home if they tried to work wearing any other colour.

The changes were the result of the taxi permit contract, previously run by Peterborough City Council, being awarded to an independent company.

Cab driver Saj Majid said: “We want to stay independent, and we were until National Express gave the contract to someone else.

“We are used to dealing with the council and that is how we wanted it to stay.”

The protest lasted for about two hours, but was resolved after negotiations between the drivers and National Express.

Speaking again after talks, Mr Majid said: “We still have to pay the extra for a permit and wear a white shirt, but National Express has suggested we come up with a committee to regulate ourselves.

“We thought things were sorted out about a month ago, but when these 10 new drivers arrived that’s when things kicked off.

“Two new drivers can make a massive difference to us, so when 10 arrived we felt it was totally unacceptable.

“It’s up to us now to choose and name a committee. A third party will still collect the money, but the committee will run things at the station and no one can issue new permits without consulting the committee.

“As far as we are concerned, we are happy with that.”

A National Express East Coast spokesman said: “Earlier in the year, negotiations took place consulting with the Peterborough Taxi Association, towards the end of a previous three year taxi permit contract.

“A new four-year contract was agreed following consultation between the association and its members. We are surprised that there appears to be disagreement several weeks after these negotiations were concluded.

“With the exception of a 40-minute period when there was a brief meeting of taxi drivers which did not involve National Express, customers were able to use taxi services at Peterborough station throughout today..”

The full article contains 409 words and appears in Peterborough ET newspaper.

http://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/news/Station-cab-drivers-in-walkout.4117145.jp