Inverness Taxi and Private hire Association

Inverness City Centre Street Scene
Stakeholders Meeting 25th January 2010

I attended a meeting regarding the above, with Peter Taylor, and again brought to the attention of those present the problems the taxi trade is faced with as follows:-
Taxi Ranks: That we have been allocated evening rank spaces and still cannot operate from them because of illegal parking by the general public. I was assured that all the city evening beat officers had been issued with books of tickets and will be active in issuing them against all offending motorists.

The pedestrian crossing between William Hill and the now empty "Your Move" premises is to be removed. Funding has now been approved and it is planned to be carried out as soon as possible. Once they're removed, the traffic lights at the Queensgate /Struthers Lane junction will be re-programmed.

The giving back of Marks & Spencer bus stop to the trade is still under discussion and it is hoped a decision will be reached in due course.
The taxi ranks allocated on Union Street (evening) are still being held up by "Historic Scotland".

On Tuesday the 26th January 2010 I attended a City Forum Meeting at the Town House. The subject was "Policing". The meeting was chaired by Provost Gray and the speakers were Police Superintendent Ian Arnott, Chief Inspector Andrew Maclean and Chief Inspector James Neil.
I brought up yet again the problems of the taxi ranks and was assured by Chief Inspector Andrew Maclean that his officers will be policing our ranks and issuing parking tickets.
I also brought up the question of fare dodgers/runners; needless to say they seemed appalled at what has gone on. When drivers reported the incidents, they were told "The Northern Constabulary are not debt collectors!" I was told that from a policing point of view it is a criminal offence (fraud) and perpetrators should be apprehended. But they did give a bit of advice that if you do take an out of town fare off the ranks insist on being paid in advance, if the customers refuses don't take them.

Operations to be carried out in February, mobile phone usage whilst driving and speed detection on all roads.

Correspondence 11/1/2010

David Haas (City Manager) Highland Council
Town House
Inverness
Vic Rawlins (Chairman) Taxi Association
C/o 17 Craigton Avenue Inverness
IV38AZ
Tel: 07761234535 11-01-10

Dear David,
Re: Night-rider bus service and taxi rank Marshalls
I refer to the above service following a brief meeting with you on the 5th January at the Town House and confirm the following:
Over the New Year weekend only one bus service operated and that was on New Year's Eve. The bus did not stop at the 'Falcon Square' stand but occupied the taxi rank at the 'Filling Station', Academy Street filling his vehicle with taxi trade custom leaving those at Falcon Square in the cold. The actions of this driver are not acceptable to those who I represent.
With regards to the Marshalls, they were only present on New Year's Eve for less than an hour and then left, they did not return for the rest of the New Year weekend. I feel that had the Marshall been present the nightrider bus would not have stopped on one of our busiest ranks but would have been moved on.
Understandably some taxi operators had difficulties getting to work from their homes and some left work early in order to get home but for the many that stayed on they should be commended. Throughout the night and the New Year weekend, they drove through horrendous weather conditions making sure that all who use our service got home safe and secure.
It beggars belief that in these times of recession when financial cutbacks have to be made the £8000 of the public money to be paid to the bus company for a service that at its introduction in December 1999 - January 2000 was poorly utilised by the public was subsequently discontinued then to be re-introduced some 3 years ago. If this money has to be spent I am sure it could be spent on a worthier cause.
A further question needs to be seriously asked that with a more than adequate "Taxi Service" valued by the general public and supposedly the Highland Council, do we need a "festive nightrider" bus service in the first place???
With regards to the main purpose of this letter I shall leave it to your good self to carry out your own investigations into why services paid for were not delivered.

Vic Rawlins (Chairman) Info: Jim Ferguson (Operation Respect) Mike Elsie (Senior Licensing Officer)