Sheffield taxi drivers call for measures to tackle 'traffic chaos' outside train station
They are refusing to renew their payments to access the taxi rank until East Midlands Railway takes steps to tackle the situation
Sheffield taxi drivers claim 'unfair conditions' outside the city's train station are creating 'traffic chaos' and contributing to emissions in one of the country's most polluted spots.
A group representing hackney carriage drivers says they are each charged £700 a year to access the station’s taxi rank, while private hire drivers operate adjacent to them without having to pay anything.
They say the situation is contributing to ‘chaotic’ traffic outside the station and are now refusing to renew their permits until East Midlands Railway addresses the issue. They say they will continue to pick people up at the taxi rank though.
EMR has recently applied ‘drop off only’ markings on the tarmac but the group claims no enforcement has been established, leaving taxi drivers to navigate a ‘congested and often hostile environment’.
They say they regularly encounter blocked access to the designated taxi rank from both members of the public dropping of friends and family and private hire drivers, leading to confrontations and verbal abuse when they request that non-taxi vehicles vacate the area.
“We can no longer tolerate the lack of action from EMR,” said Nouman Khan a representative of Sheffield taxi drivers.
“We have repeatedly raised these issues, yet nothing changes. It’s time for EMR to step up and take responsibility for the situation at the station. We will continue to serve our passengers while advocating for the changes we need.”
An East Midlands Railway spokesperson said: “We are in regular dialogue with the drivers who use the taxi rank and we are aware of the congestion issues which can happen at peak times.
“We have a number of projects ongoing to improve access for disabled customers to the pick up/drop off area at this part of the station and also a project to reduce emissions collecting under the station canopy from idling taxis.
“We aim to reduce the existing congestion and enhance access for station users and are continuing to work with our local partners to explore options for achieving this long-term objective.”