GMB Union and MPs slam rail company who continue to charge taxi drivers for rank permits
East Midlands Railway (EMR) have been critised by MPs and a representative for the GMB Union for continuing to charge rank permit fees despite a huge downturn in work for local cabbies.
Drivers currently pay an annual fee of £618 to EMR for access to their railway ranks, but with the coronavirus pandemic taking its toll on the industry and on travel as a whole, drivers have asked for the annual fee to be frozen.
The renewal is due this month but EMR has refused to put the fees on hold.
Driver Ibrar Hussain, who is also GMB taxi branch secretary, said people can't afford the renewal.
"Work is dead at the station, the trade is on its knees. The GMB is asking for fees to be deferred until we get back to normality as drivers are struggling financially. We are in unprecedented circumstances and I hope EMR understands our request."
As confirmed to TaxiPoint, MPs Clive Betts, Olivia Blake, Gill Furniss, Paul Blomfield and Louise Haigh have written a joint letter to EMR saying: "You will recognise that Covid-19 has meant that the business of taxi drivers has suffered substantially with the reduced footfall from Sheffield station a significant contributory factor.
"In recognition of this we understand that taxi drivers requested to EMR that their permits be extended without charge until the end of December 2020.
"We were disappointed to be told that EMR have refused this request. As train operators have been in receipt of government support during this crisis, surely it would be right to extend your support to taxi drivers. We hope you will reconsider your decision and grant and extension."
