‘A KICK IN THE TEETH’: Newport cabbies protest for vital taxi ranks to return

Image credit: Unite Wales (Twitter)

Newport taxi drivers took to the streets yesterday demanding vital rank space be handed back to them. Union representatives say cabbies learning of their rank spaces being severely limited in profitable areas of Newport is a “kick in the teeth”.

Unite Wales argue that Newport City Council (NCC) have ‘snatched’ taxi ranks away from working cabbies, leaving just five spaces for 100 licensees in the area.

Taxi drivers are asking NCC to provide ranks for at least 15 taxis along with areas to safely drop passengers off at:

• Corn Street

• Bridge Street / Cambrian Road night rank

• Queensway night rank

• Newport Train Station.

Prior to the demonstration officials from the union suggested they have tried to engage with the authority to address the matter of taxi rank capacity for a number of months, but little progress has been made.

Newport cabbies yesterday staged a drive-by protest at 4pm to show their frustrations.

A Unite Wales spokesperson said: “Our members in the Newport Taxi Trade held a driving protest against changes that have been made to ranks across the city, limiting earning opportunities for drivers.

“Our message is clear, the local council must create more spaces for taxi drivers on the Newport ranks.”

Alan McCarthy, a Unite Union Officer in the region, said: “Great turnout, but immense frustration from driver members in Newport today.

“After the year Taxi drivers have had, the lifting of restrictions should be a cause for celebration. To find their rank spaces have been severely limited in the profitable areas is a kick in the teeth.”