§ 62. Mr. Brockwayasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what decision has been reached on the recommendations of the Transport Consultative Committees regarding the privilege taxi ranks at railway stations.
§ Mr. NugentThe Consultative Committees conclude that by and large the arrangements at present in force work well and should not be changed where they satisfy the public. The Committees think that throwing open station yards to all corners would give unsatisfactory results. They also think that agreements with cabowners' associations are not suitable unless the association is comprehensive and can enforce the terms of the agreement. The British Transport Commission accept these views, and regional General Managers are seeing where such agreements can suitably be made.
General Managers are also acting upon the other suggestions made by the Committees. These are
- (i) that on exceptional occasions when all licensed cabs are engaged and there are passengers waiting, responsible station staff should allow any taxi which drops a fare in the station to pick up from the head of the queue and should call forward taxis from any adjacent rank to take up waiting passengers. How this is done will depend upon local circumstances.
- (ii) that where siting of ranks near stations has caused difficulty, the Commission should arrange improvements with the local authorities. Local railway officers will be glad to discuss any such difficulties with the local authorities concerned.
- (iii) that at small stations the railway authorities should exhibit the telephone numbers of taxi owners who can be contacted when licensed taxis are not available. The Commission see practical difficulties about exhibiting numbers, but station staff will continue to help passengers to telephone for taxis where necessary.