HAVING held a hackney drivers licence for 36 years, I feel qualified to respond to the article "Taxi Rancour" (The Press, July 11). It would serve no one's interest to flood the city with an unlimited number of taxis. In life we must learn from history.

In the 1950s, the then Watch Committee imposed the condition that all taxis would be black London type vehicles. The trade resisted, but the committee insisted that any proprietor who presented one of the said vehicles would be granted a licence.

Within a short time, there were 175 cars operating in the city. It soon became apparent a mistake had been made. There was insufficient work to justify the amount of cars. The ranks in the city were overflowing and no one was making a living.

It was a mutual decision by the police, the council and the trade that the number be reduced. This was to be achieved by natural wastage.

By the mid 1960s, the number was 100. The council then implemented a waiting list.

The intention at that time was that the trade should be run on the lines of a cottage industry- one man, one plate. The proprietor had to reside in the city and be involved in the business. He could employ a driver to share the car/expenses. Over the years, these conditions have been lost.

The Licensing Authority has two responsibilities. Firstly, to provide an adequate service for the benefit of its citizens. Secondly, to ensure that those operating that service can make a living.

The sole reason for issuing additional licences should be the proven need of any un-met demand. The trade can only trust common sense prevails and that history is not allowed to repeat itself.

John A Henderson, Woodland Place, New Earswick, York.


* YOUR editorial is wrong in thinking that deregulation is appropriate for York. Employment is reduced by deregulating. After deregulation, the total number of cars (hackney plus private hire) and the number of drivers, reduces. (OFT report 2003) Deregulation is poor value for the passenger. After deregulation, hackney fares rise more than regulated areas (same OFT report).

For sound environmental and operational reasons, cab numbers in the city are limited.

Taxi owners have paid to "buy" their job. They are not making a profit from the high licence values. Most are funded by redundancy payments or interest-only mortgages. Deregulation would render the licence valueless.

People face losing their homes or paying out for 25 years if deregulation is passed. The size of the hackney trade cake is limited, so more vehicles will see everyone get a smaller slice.

Deregulation would be bad for the customer, bad for the trade and bad for the city.

Stuart Robertson, Windsor Drive, Haxby, York.