Preston minicab boss to face bailiffs over bus and taxi lane signage

A minicab boss is expected to face bailiffs after taking on Lancashire County Council over the use of the word taxi on bus and taxi lane signs. 

61 year old Stephen Jones, who runs HB Cabs in Tarleton, is refusing to pay Lancashire County Council £400 in fines after claiming that signage identifying the bus and taxi lane in Fishergate, Preston it's misleading because of the use of the word "taxi."

The Lancashire Post have reported that Mr Jones is arguing that because the bus lane signage permits taxis to use the lane, minicab drivers will naturally drive down that lane. 

He has queried the signage after he, as well as other minicab drivers have been fined for using the lane illegally.

Mr Jones has stated that all Lancashire County Council have to do is to change the sign so as to say "Hackney Carriages Only."

The angry minicab company boss has said that he will be making a stand over what he sees as a "money-making exercise" after accruing the fines and non-payment fees.

However, Lancashire County Council have fired back by stating that Department for Transport guidelines allow for the use of signs which specify exemptions for taxis and that it is the drivers responsibility to know the differences between a taxi licence and a private hire license and the regulations which apply to their license.

Image Source: TaxiPoint