Taxi drivers permitted to use certain bus lanes for trial period (From Watford Observer)

Taxi drivers permitted to use certain bus lanes for trial period

10:43am Thursday 9th February 2012 in News By Mike Wright

Taxi drivers permitted to use certain bus lanes for trial period

Taxi drivers are to be allowed to drive in certain bus lanes around Watford after proposals for a pilot scheme were backed by councillors this week.

Hertfordshire’s Highways and Transport Cabinet Committee voted on Tuesday to allow an experimental trial allowing hackney carriages to use lanes in Station Road, St Albans Road and Lower High Street.

The development came after lobbying from taxi drivers in the town who complained that arguments were breaking out with passengers when they get stuck in traffic hotspots.

Stephen Giles-Medhurst, Liberal Democrat councillor for Central Oxhey who sat on the committee, welcomed the vote and called for the scheme to be implemented as quickly as possible.

He said: "I have asked that the work start as soon as there is a new budget and would like to see it in place before the Olympics. This will have a dual benefit of improving journey times for those using taxis, reducing road congestion and help taxis get increased fares in these difficult times."

Councillors at the meeting were told the proposals had come about after the Watford Hackney Carriage Drivers Association raised the issue last year.

In a letter to the council the association said: "We have huge problems with congestion and fare disputes with passengers who are demanding that we should be allowed to use the bus lanes.

"On frequent occasions passengers are jumping out of taxis without paying.

"This is a big problem and causing so much grief for drivers concerned."

The association argued the problem would be reduced if they were allowed to use bus lanes to bypass congestion at "key points" in the town.

In a report to the committee, highways officers said many neighbouring boroughs allowed taxis to use bus lanes, including Harrow, Hillingdon, Barnet and Enfield.

When they analysed how the pilot could impact Watford, officers said if hackney carriages were able to access the High Street directly from Lower High Street I could save passengers as much as £3 to £4 on a journey.

Currently hackney carriages have to travel via the ring road to drop customers off at the High Street.

The Hackney Carriage Drivers Association said access to the bus lane on Station Road was its highest priority due to the large taxi ranks at Watford Junction Station and Clarendon Road.

Police raised concerns after an informal consultation with highways officers, that if the pilot went ahead, it could encourage taxis to illegally use other bus lanes around the town.

However officers recommended the experimental traffic regulation order, which can last up to 18 months, be passed allowing hackney carriages the privileges on the three roads.

Officers said the scheme would then be made permanent if it was shown to have had no adverse effect on traffic. The order is expected to be in place by the summer.

Following the meeting, Councillor Nigel Bell, Labour representative for Vicarage and Holywell, said: "I am sure this will fine, but if there are any major problems with it we can look at it when we see if it should be permanent.

"I think this will help residents, help hackney carriages and help ease congestion."