AS a proprietor of a Hackney Taxi Vehicle in York, I would like to reply to MS Mycroft's remarks about York's Taxi Service (Letters, October 5).

I am sorry Mr Mycroft had to wait 40 minutes for a taxi, but at peak times does he really expect to get a taxi straight away? I don't know of another major city in the country where this would happen.

This is always a particularly busy time of the day (one hour later he could have his pick of taxis), but the problem is much worsened because of the amount of traffic now coming through the centre of York as a result of the road works on the A64 and A19, causing journey times to be increased.

Please be assured this is not only frustrating to the public: myself and my colleagues are aware that at times like this we are unable to deliver the level of customer service we would like.

I would suggest that if Mr Mycroft has to attend important business meetings in the future he takes the simple step of pre-booking a taxi prior to travelling.

P A Greensmith,

Rawcliffe Lane, York.

Updated: 10:43 Thursday, October 11, 2001