Latest news with #TaxiDrivers
Yahoo
02-08-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Derby taxi drivers say they can't pick up customers because of school road closures
Taxi drivers in Derby claim they are unable to pick up and drop off customers at their homes due to timed road closures in the city and have called for the rules to be changed. Over the last few years, Derby City Council has implemented new School Safe Haven Zones (SSHZ) at a number of streets across the city. The aim of the zones is to stop motorists driving on a section of road so it is safer for children, parents and staff to get to school. More than a dozen of these zones are in place in Derby with road closure times enforced both in the morning and afternoon during school-run times. Each zone can differ but the timed restrictions can take place between 8.30am and 9.15am and 2.30pm to 3.30pm. READ MORE: Motorists faced 'long delays' on A38 in Derby near Markeaton Island READ MORE: Police put 48-hour dispersal order in place in Derby city centre The zones, which the council say have been a success, have been in place following complaints regarding dangerous parking outside a number of Derby schools. Motorists can get fined if caught driving into the zone within the time period as enforcement is carried out. But there are exceptions to the rule. The council says exemptions apply to emergency vehicles, residents living within the street zone, blue badge holders, carers for vulnerable residents and utility providers on emergency calls. But taxis are not included on the exemptions list. This, according to at least a couple of drivers, has become problematic. They claim taxi customers have to walk to or from the end of the zone within the timed restriction. Driver Lee Roach said: 'The schools are not the problem. The problem is these zones are on residential streets all over Derby. But in residential streets you still have to pick people up. 'There are disabled people who can't walk up the street. There are people who still need to get taxis in these zones. But we can't get to them.' Fellow driver Adnan Khan added: 'You have residents in these zones who are vulnerable and have disabilities. They have hospital and doctor appointments to get to. 'How do you explain to them that 'we can't get to you, can you walk to us'? If they are registered disabled they can't do that. You also have private hire who are contracted to safely drop off children at home.' Ateeq Naseem, from Albatross Cars, said his drivers are aware of the School Safe Haven Zones and comply with the rules. He said: 'The rules are there for a reason and that's for the safety of the public. These are there for the better of the community and for the environment.' Derby City Council was asked if taxis are exempt and can use the zones. It said zones had been 'kept short as possible' to minimise disruption and inconvenience to residents. A spokesperson for the authority said: 'There is not a general exemption for taxis to enter School Safe Haven Zones. The primary goal is to reduce motor vehicles and create a safer, healthier, and more pleasant environment for children, parents, and the wider community. 'Exemptions to the restrictions are kept at a minimum to achieve the full benefits of the zones. However, to minimise disruption and inconvenience to residents, zone times have been kept as short as possible during the start and end of the school day. "Additionally, the extents of all the School Safe Haven Zones have been kept as small as possible. This means that drivers or passengers arriving during the closure periods only have a short distance to walk if they park on the edge of the scheme.'
South China Morning Post
08-07-2025
- Automotive
- South China Morning Post
80% of Hong Kong Uber drivers worried about quota and fees under new rules
Nearly 80 per cent of 4,800 Uber drivers polled in Hong Kong are worried that a strict quota or high licensing fees under coming new regulations for ride-hailing platforms will threaten their livelihoods. The results of the poll conducted by platform operator Uber in June were revealed on Tuesday, just days after Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mable Chan announced that a highly anticipated regulatory proposal would be submitted to the legislature before the end of the month Currently, it is illegal in Hong Kong for private vehicle drivers to accept paid customers without a hire-car permit, but ride-hailing platforms such as Uber, Tada, Amap, and Didi Chuxing operate such services without regulation. Amap is operated by Alibaba Group Holding, which also owns the South China Morning Post. These platforms, however, have faced objections from the city's taxi drivers, who have raised concerns about stiff competition and loss of earnings amid what they consider an unfair system. In January, the government said it planned to legalise ride-hailing platforms and open up the sector to all players, with a framework expected to be presented to lawmakers this year. 'Drivers are largely open to reasonable regulations that seek to enhance safety and professionalism. Sixty per cent of drivers think the most reasonable regulatory aspects are 'regular vehicle inspections' and 'obtaining ride-sharing driver or vehicle licenses',' Uber said in a statement.
