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Posted on the 19th December 2024 in PHTM News
DERBY PRIVATE HIRE DRIVERS FURIOUS OVER UNFAIR BUS LANE RESTRICTION
Private hire drivers in Derby are expressing anger and frustration over a city center bus lane that they claim is "ridiculous" and "unfair."
The drivers argue that the bus gate restriction on Corporation Street is causing them to lose customers and get stuck in unnecessary queues.
The road between Derby Council House and the Assembly Rooms is designated for buses, taxis, cyclists, and pedestrians between 7am and 7pm.
Signs and cameras are in place to enforce the restriction, and motorists caught using the road during these hours face fines.
While the signs indicate that taxis are permitted to use the road, Derby City Council has confirmed that this only applies to licensed hackney carriage vehicles, not private hire vehicles.
The bus lane restriction on Corporation Street has been in place since 2021 and has generated significant revenue for the council. Last year, the Local Democracy Reporting Service reported that the city council collected £1.7 million from CCTV-monitored fines in just over a year.
Driver Lee Roach, with 25 years of experience, believes the restriction is causing major problems for private hire drivers.
He explained that the Assembly Rooms and Quad are key drop-off points, and the restriction forces them to take longer routes, increasing fuel costs and frustrating passengers.
Adnan Khan, another private hire driver, echoed Roach's concerns, emphasising that he is licensed by the council but is not allowed to use the bus lane, despite performing the same job as hackney carriage drivers.
Several drivers have recently complained about the situation, prompting their union representatives at GMB to get involved. Craig Thomson, a GMB union officer, expressed hope for a meeting with the city council to discuss these concerns.
He highlighted that while the council has profited from fines, private hire drivers are facing unnecessary delays and increased costs.
Derby City Council maintains that allowing private hire vehicles to use bus lanes could negate the benefits of the restriction.
A spokesperson for the authority explained that the scheme on Corporation Street reduces traffic congestion, allowing buses to operate more efficiently and promote sustainable travel.
“Hackney carriages meet the legal definition of a taxi as they are subject to stricter licensing requirements, including vehicle specifications such as wheelchair accessibility, driver training and fare regulations. As such, they are permitted to use some of the bus lanes (including Corporation Street) as part of the city’s integrated public transport system.
“Hackney carriages differ from private hire vehicles, which can be confused with other cars. If private hire vehicles were allowed into the bus lanes, the sheer volume of these vehicles could negate the benefits for buses and potentially create congestion in bus lanes.”
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